Develop aircraft industry in TN, appeals G K Vasan

Chennai, June 20 : Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G K Vasan appealed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to provide impetus for the development of aircraft maintenance industry in the backdrop of the aviation industry growth in Tamil Nadu.

Participating at a book release function of ''Wheels on Wings,'' an autobiography of Hindustan Group of Institutions Founder Chairman K C G Verghese here last night, Mr Vasan was all praise for Mr Patel for his 'outstanding performance as Union Minister.' Releasing the book, Mr Patel said the aviation industry should be integrated with the development of the nation and become one of the key drivers of the economy.

''We have 225 planes belonging to public and private sector carriers flying across the country and the globe, now. This is not sufficient to meet the growing requirements of the industry which has vast potential for further development,'' he added.

Though India had a population of 110 crore, only 90 lakh used aircraft for travel constituting a meagre ten per cent which is not sufficient for the speedy development of the sector.

Both Air India and Indian had purchased 111 aircraft so far at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore.

Mr Patel pointed out the growing demand for various jobs in the aviation sector, especially pilots, which required meaningful development. Referring to Mr Vasan's demand, Mr Patel said since the aviation sector was growing fast in Chennai, the aircraft maintenance industry will 'automatically knock at the doors.' He recalled the services rendered by Mr Verghese to the cause of education and aviation and wanted his family members to continue the efforts.

Receiving the first copy of the book, Kerala GovernorR L Bhatia commended the services of Mr Verghese for the uplift ment of the society. Mr Verghese became one of the pioneers of private participation in the country's aviation sector by launching Air Asiatic in the early 90s.

Former Union Minister and Senior BJP Leader S Thirunavukkrarasar, Congress MP Dhanuskodi Athithan, Former Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan and Anna University Vice-Chancellor D Viswanathan were among those who spoke.

In her address, Hindustan Group of Institutions Chairperson Elizabeth Verghese expressed hope the alumini would carry on the mission of Dr Verghese and make his motto -- 'every man a success and no man a failure'-- a mantra for the welfare of the youth.

She presented a cheque for Rs one lakh to the mother of anaemia patient Tamil Selvan, a second year Computer Science student of KC Tech College, an institutions run by the Hindustan Group.

UNI