Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju laughs off direct flights between Ahmedabad and London, as reported (Gujarat Samachar, April 11) was the most miserable depressive reading of a Minister out of touch with reality and totally out of line with his boss, Prime Minister Modi.
I am reminded of what happens when the rulers run the country for themselves and get completely out of touch with the common man. Mary Antoinette the French Queen was told by her minister about the starvation of her people, as they had no wheat. She replied, Let them eat cake!"
The minister should be ashamed of his attitude, along with Queen Antoinette, embarrassing himself and Modi, as he is unfit for the job he is not doing. Prime Minister Modi is beating his drum around the world, Make in India, our doors are open for you, and here is this man telling us that Gujarat has to remain un accessible to the international traveller. This policy of indirect flights to Gujarati from UK is hurting to its visitors, holidaymakers and of course businessmen, exporters and trade; all that Modi is about!!
India is aspiring to grow and tap into the growing lucrative market of international trade. With direct flights between London and Ahmedabad, not only does the airline help themselves, but at the same time promote growth in the economy by connecting Gujarat to the rest of the world.
New Delhi should be seriously considering if they have the right man working for 'Team India'.
Yours in disbelief.
Sharad Parikh
President NCGO UK
