Many airlines are in a financial nosedive these days due to pandemic-triggered restrictions on passenger travel, but the current alternative to human beings on such aircraft must have cabin crews heaving secret sighs of relief. Besides the recent news of ‘ghost’ flights by some airlines to ensure pilots keep their licences, their planes stay fit and they retain crucial slots in key destinations, the fact is, many cabins are filled these days with orderly rows of boxes as
cargo has spilt over from the luggage holds to the passenger areas. If this trend continues for much longer, the eventual return of ‘normal’ cabin occupants may not evoke too many joyful smiles from crews.
From the airline’s point of view, full cabins of cargo-paying boxes are almost as good as fare-paying passengers. Even better, actually, as these ‘passengers’ do not need any services at all; ergo, no food and drink to be procured, loaded, distributed and collected, no endless demands for water and blankets, no clogged toilets, wailing babies, obstreperous holidaymakers or touchy-feely passengers.
Even PPEs and social distancing are not an issue. Some in that industry can be forgiven for wishing that like those silent, obedient boxes, if only regular travellers could also simply be strapped into their seats and forgotten until it is time to unload, er, disembark.…
Viru’s A-Level Humour, Virat’s Style Statement, Women Team’s Big Win Stole The Show At BCCI…
Honouring The Best In Cricket
One of the most awaited nights in Indian cricket, the BCCI awards, took place in Mumbai on Sunday. The awards were meant to honour the best in cricket for the year 2018-19 in over 25 categories.
The who’s who of Indian cricket, from captain Virat Kohli, team coach Ravi Shastri to teammates Shikhar Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and others were in attendance. Honouring the cricketers with awards were the newly appointed BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Here are all the major highlights of the star-studded night.
Srikanth’s Big Win & Viru’s Lecture
Taking home the biggest award of the night was former cricketer, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was felicitated with the Colonel C.K.Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. Srikkanth shared the stage with BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
However, one of the highlights of the evening was former cricketer Virendar Sehwag’s A-level humour which stole the show at the awards. Our very own ‘Viru’ delivered the seventh Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi lecture at the BCCI awards. The lecture was established to honour former captain of the Indian cricket team Tiger Pataudi.
Commenting on the ICC’s plan to revamp Test cricket by shortening it to four days, Sehwag said, “Chaar din ki chandni hoti hai, Test match nahi…Jal ki machli jal main hi acchi hai, bahar nikaloge toh mar jaegi (Test matches aren’t meant to last 4 days. A fish is better suited for water. It will die if taken out of its habitat).”
Taking a strong stand against ICC’s move, Sehwag, in his usual style, said, “…Test cricket ko chanda mama ke pass le jaa sakte hai. (We can take Test cricket to the moon). We can have Day-Night Test cricket. If there is a day-night Test, maybe people will come to watch game after office. Innovations should happen but within the five days. It should not be shortened” he asserted.
(With inputs from PTI)
Bumrah & Yadav Win Big
Taking away the biggest honour of the night was ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah who was feted with Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer – men’s category. BCCI secretary Jay Shah felicitated Bumrah with the honour. The award includes a trophy, a citation and a cheque worth Rs 15 lakh.
Bumrah took home another honour, the Dilip Sardesai Award for Highest Wickets in Test Cricket 2018-19. The award honoured the bowler’s international exploits. Bumrah took 34 wickets in six matches with three five-wicket hauls.
Poonam Yadav, on the other hand, was given the Best International Cricketer Award in the women’s category.
Stunning In A Turquoise Saree
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore also made an appearance at the red carpet of the BCCI awards. The ‘Chupke Chupke’ actress dressed her sartorial best and looked graceful as ever in a turquoise-blue saree.
Also seen accompanying mommy dearest was daughter Soha Ali Khan who sported a funky dark green polka-dot top complete with black leggings.
Sharmila Tagore’s BCCI association dates back to her late husband, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who used to be the captain of the Indian cricket team.
Women Rule The Night
Arriving at the BCCI awards in style were the members of the women’s cricket team who owned the night, thanks to their wardrobe. Former captain of the national women’s cricket team, Jhulan Nishit Goswami, wore a black blazer with pink highlights.
Smriti Mandhana wore a stunning black jumpsuit with white highlights, perfectly paired with a pink jacket. Cricketers Shafali Verma and Richa Verma broke gender stereotypes by going for shirts and pants paired with coats. Poonam Yadav followed suit and went for a black ensemble paired with a light-blue waistcoat.
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