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Report on Malaysian plane disappearance fails to unravel mystery
Kuala Lumpur, July 30 (IANS) A detailed report released by a safety investigation team on Monday about the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in 2014 has failed to identify the cause of the mishap and left many questions unanswered due to lack of evidence.
The 800-plus-page report by Malaysian authorities maintained that the aircraft — which disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board — was re-routed manually although they could not determine the cause behind it.
The report, while reviewing several aspects ranging from airworthiness and maintenance to cargo assignment and wreckage information, said the probe team could not determine why the plane went off its filed flight route, Efe news reported.
The head of the official investigation, Kok Soo Chon, said at a press conference that third party sabotage could not be ruled out.
“(…) the turn back was not because of anomalies in the mechanical system. The turn back was made not under autopilot but under manual control,” Kok said.
“We cannot exclude the possibility that there was unlawful interference by a third party,” he added.
Kok also said that while the report was drafted by the eight countries, including Malaysia, which took part in the search operations, it could not be called a final report.
“(…) if the wreckage hasn’t been found, if no victims have been found (…) How can we call the report our final report?” Kok said.
The report added to previously published information and included analysis, findings, conclusions and safety recommendations for operators, Kok said.
The document also urged operators to monitor the mental health of the crew, including the pilots, more stringent inspection of aircraft cargo and greater air traffic control.
The Beijing-bound MH370 had disappeared from the radar around 40 minutes after it took off from Kuala Lumpur, after someone apparently switched off the communications system and re-routed the plane toward the Indian Ocean, according to an official report.
Calling the disappearance of MH370 and the searches for it “unprecedented in commercial aviation history”, the report said improvements must be undertaken to ensure that this type of event is identified as soon as possible.
One recommendation urged operators to improve the effectiveness of certified Emergency Locator Transmitters that transmit a distress signal in the event of a crash.
The report also identified issues that could affect timely search and rescue operations, including discontinuous radar control by various air spaces.
The document also urged operators to monitor the mental health of the crew, including the pilots, more stringent inspection of aircraft cargo and greater air traffic control.
So far, 27 fragments of the aircraft have been recovered from beaches in Reunion, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa and Pemba Island, off Africa’s east coast.
The fragments were believed to have been swept across the Indian Ocean by currents, which is consistent with the official hypothesis of the incident.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.