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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

DGCA orders special audit of aircraft owner

Mumbai : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has commenced a Special Audit of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd – which owned the ill-fate Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed in Baramati on Jan. 28, killing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit A. Pawar and others.   The Special Audit, ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) started on Feb. 4, and is likely to be completed shortly. The DGCA said it would release the Preliminary Report of the air-crash within 30 days of the occurrence (by Feb. 28), as per...

DGCA orders special audit of aircraft owner

Mumbai : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has commenced a Special Audit of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd – which owned the ill-fate Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed in Baramati on Jan. 28, killing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit A. Pawar and others.   The Special Audit, ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) started on Feb. 4, and is likely to be completed shortly. The DGCA said it would release the Preliminary Report of the air-crash within 30 days of the occurrence (by Feb. 28), as per ICAO norms, and the Final Report will follow in due course.   The DGCA team will conduct a comprehensive review of the regulatory compliances, operational control systems, maintenance practices, crew training standards, safety management systems and monitoring of the Black Box.   Rohit Pawar vindicated The move comes as a victory for Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit R. Pawar, who had launched a massive campaign raising suspicions on the crash, questioning if it was an accident or a conspiracy, demanding grounding of the VSRVPL fleet and removal of MoCA Minister K. Rammohan Naidu till the investigations are completed.   Subsequently, many other leaders of various parties including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) headed by the late Ajit Pawar, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), besides members of the Pawar clan also joined the clamour for a transparent probe.   The MoCA said that the findings of the Special Audit, due to end soon, would be reviewed and necessary action shall be initiated in accordance with the DGCA’s Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual.   Audit of other operators Besides, multiple surveillance of VSRVPL were carried out across areas such as flight safety systems, flight duty time limitations, maintenance compliance (CAR M and CAR 145), documentation and station facilities, which were addressed and closed.   Now, the MoCA has directed the aviation watchdog to carry out special audits of other major non-scheduled operators and aerodromes engaged in VIP|VVIP operations.   “These audits are being conducted in phases and appropriate enforcement action will be taken wherever required. During 2025, the DGCA conducted 51 regulatory audits of non-scheduled operators,” said the MoCA.   On the ill-fated Learjet 45 (VT-SSK), the government said that the Baramati accident is being probed by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) strictly in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 and the Standards and Recommended Practices contained (SARP) in ICAO Annex 13.   Rohit Pawar had voiced apprehensions on these aspects and sought to know how the company was allowed to continue operations in India when it had been banned in Europe in the past.   Two recorders on Learjet 45 Black Box The aircraft – with five on-board - was equipped with two independent flight recorders, the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), manufactured by L3 Communications, which has been successfully downloaded at AAIB’s facility in New Delhi, inaugurated in 2025.   The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) sustained thermal damage. As it is manufactured by Honeywell, USA, technical assistance has been sought from the State of Design/Manufacture.   However, there are few takers for the theory of damage to the CVR, which - as Rohit Pawar pointed out several times - can withstand temperatures of around1100 C.   The MoCA said that the AAIB’s investigation is technical and evidence-based, involving systematic examination of wreckage, operational and maintenance records and laboratory testing of components where required.

Indecision Kills Personal Branding

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Indecision Kills

In a world that celebrates clarity and confidence, hesitancy is a silent yet powerful force that can diminish your personal brand. When people dwell in the realms of “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” they unknowingly project uncertainty and unreliability—traits that can undermine the foundation of a strong personal brand. Your ability to make decisions and stand firm on them is not just a reflection of your leadership but also a testament to your personal brand’s strength.


Every interaction we have leaves an impression. Be it a professional email, a networking event, or a casual conversation, these moments contribute to how others perceive us. When you continuously oscillate between indecision and vague responses, it sends a message that you lack confidence or direction. In business, where trust and reliability are paramount, this can become a significant roadblock.


Imagine a scenario where a client approaches two service providers with the same inquiry. The first one confidently outlines a plan, clearly stating the next steps, while the second hesitates, replying with, “I’m not sure; let me think about it.” Even if both have the same expertise, the client is more likely to gravitate toward the first provider. Confidence fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships—professional or personal.


Indecision can often stem from the fear of making mistakes or being judged. While this is natural, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. The act of making a decision, even if it turns out to be less than ideal, demonstrates courage, responsibility, and accountability. These are the traits that elevate a personal brand, distinguishing you in a crowded and competitive world.


Being decisive doesn’t mean being impulsive or reckless. It means gathering information, weighing options, and then committing to a choice with confidence. In personal branding, this is particularly crucial because every decision you make—how you respond to challenges, present yourself, or communicate with others—forms part of the narrative others associate with you.


Hesitation and indecision don’t only affect how others perceive you; they also impact how you view yourself. Constantly second-guessing yourself leads to self-doubt, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more uncertain you are, the more others will mirror that uncertainty, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


One way to counter this is by setting clear priorities and aligning your decisions with them. For instance, if your personal brand is centred around being a thought leader in your industry, your choices should reflect expertise and foresight. Even in moments of ambiguity, acknowledging the uncertainty while showing a proactive approach—such as saying, “I’ll find out and get back to you”—conveys both honesty and determination.


During my recent trip to Australia, I was reminded of how decisiveness shapes impressions. Whether interacting with global clients or navigating unfamiliar professional terrains, I realized that certainty in communication was key to building trust and rapport. This was particularly evident when representing my personal brand on international platforms. A clear, confident tone opened doors and strengthened relationships that would have otherwise remained distant.


The next time you find yourself leaning on phrases like “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” pause and ask yourself: Is this hesitation necessary? Sometimes, it’s about silencing the inner critic and choosing to act decisively. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the act of making a choice positions you as someone who is reliable, proactive, and worth trusting.


Your personal brand isn’t defined by the absence of mistakes but by how you handle them and move forward. Decisiveness isn’t just about making choices—it’s about owning them. And in a world that often feels uncertain, those who lead with clarity and conviction stand out.


Make your decisions a reflection of your confidence, and watch as your personal brand strengthens, opening doors you never imagined.

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(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+countries. Views personal.)

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