Mere ‘Swachch’ is not sufficient; we want ‘Sach Bharat’: Rahul Gandhi

Agencies

August 17, 2017

New Delhi, Aug 17: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today hit out at the government for not being able to keep its promises and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to create a 'Swachch Bharat' but people wanted a 'sach Bharat'.

Addressing a meeting of opposition leaders, hosted by rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Gandhi also took a dig at the government's flagship programme ‘Make in India’, saying most products available in the country were made in China.

The Congress leader accused the BJP of not fulfilling the promises made to the people during the 2014 general elections. These included bringing back black money stashed abroad and creating jobs for the youth.

The meeting, 'Sanjhi Virasat Bachao' (save country’s composite culture), was also attended by former prime minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress members as well as Left party leaders, including CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI national secretary D Raja.

"Modi-ji says he wants to create a Swachch Bharat but we want Sach Bharat. Wherever he goes he lies," Gandhi alleged. However, the Congress leader did not elaborate.

Gandhi also took a potshot at the RSS, saying it was bent on changing the country’s Constitution.

"One says this country is mine, other says I belong to the country. That's the difference between RSS and us," he said.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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