DHRUV CRASH UPDATE #7: Indian Embassy Implores HAL To Counter Ecuador Press Reports, HAL Chairman Busy Shutting Down Communications Department

It doesn’t get more ironic than this. The HAL team in Ecuador and India’s Ambassador to Ecuador, have sent urgent word to HAL Headquarters in Bangalore that there needs to be an urgent and committed effort to engage the press in Ecuador and supply them with information and/or rejoinders regarding the free-for-all and sometimes inaccurate coverage that is sweeping the country’s newspapers and television news stations over the October 27 ALH Dhruv crash. But here’s the thumping and ironic clincher. Defence Ministry sources have revealed to LiveFist that HAL’s full-fledged communications and press relations department in Bangalore, which was set up in 2006 as part of HAL’s “opening up” effort, is being shut down. Poof. By the middle of this month, HAL will have no spokesperson, or any public relations staff whatsoever. HAL’s fortnightly in-house newspaper Minsk Square Matters which is currently in its 85th issue, which debuted under former chairman Ashok Baweja, will no longer be produced, and nor will the organisation’s magazine The Plane. So this explains why HAL has been constrained from issuing any statements about the crash, apart from the vague corporate statement three days after the crash.

A reminder communique sent by the Indian Embassy in Ecuador to its Headquarters in Bangalore today has pointed out that without clearance to release information/rejoinders, they cannot possibly engage the local press (as they are being constantly urged to do by Ambassador Bhojwani). With inquiries pouring in from local journalists to the HAL team in Ecuador for interviews and access to authentic information, and with their hands tied, the press has — not unreasonably — drawn the conclusion that HAL has something to hide. A worse situation, as far as perceptions are concerned, cannot be imagined.

16 thoughts on “DHRUV CRASH UPDATE #7: Indian Embassy Implores HAL To Counter Ecuador Press Reports, HAL Chairman Busy Shutting Down Communications Department”

  1. Great, we were talking about expanding the Corp Com of HAL, and here comes the closure. But it was expected. Mr. AK has done a commendable job for HAL's image.

  2. The ecudorean press is making a scapegoat of HAL there and Shiv-ji is making a scapegoat of HAL and its chief here.

    You presswallahs are all the same. Sensation seeking. You guys thrive in creating controversies.

    HAL, GoI know what they are doing. Let them do their job. I am sure that the HAL team is in contact with its home base in Bangalore as is the Indian ambassador with New Delhi. This will get solved satisfactorily.

    Shiv-ji your reporting has been exemplary so far, but everyone slips up once in a while. If HAL wants to close down its magazines, I am sure there are good reasons for that.

    JMT

  3. It's not the end of the world if we lose Ecuador's business. They will have to go buy choppers from elsewhere for n*x more. You can't help it when you are going up against people's biases. Looks like Ecuadorians, like desis, like foreign maal… makes them feel hip.

  4. I have been aware of this for months now. This is one of the things the HAL chairman did as soon he took over. Its, sad because since HAL has a large footprint now, n-number of multi-national JVs and projects, you need a responsible department to keep the media aware. God help them if they have to list on the markets in this state.

  5. Shiv Aroor, if your reports are true then it's sad. I as speaking to an AGM at HAL and I am being told that now HAL is being run by one Soundara Rajan who is a Mkt head. Current CMD Nayak seems to be having no clue on what's happening around and he is controlled by this Rajan fellow. And, on closing down on media dept, was a meticulous plan, as the current guy heading it, supposedly enjoys massive support from HAL youngsters and media chaps in particular. He is said to be very straight-forward and dosen't care a 'shit' for these babus. The architect of this move is one HR chaps Sanjeev Sohi & Nayak. Why can't this media head speak out? I am sure he is sitting on a pile of inside happenings? Trigger him , Shiv.

    RKM

  6. AK had done yeoman service for HAL through MSM and through the "Plane". HAL must be off its rocker if its planning to shut em down.

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