Air India makes all the right moves this time: With record deals for jets and jet engines, Air India has made some very good headlines this week. Orders placed with Boeing and Airbus indicate far greater goals than simply replacing an aging fleet. The aircraft that will be used in the next phase of the Indian flagship carrier's journey have been carefully selected with the intention of regaining lost market share on busy routes. It won't be easy because, beyond purchasing new aircraft, a lot of things will need to change. Not only at the top, but throughout the airline's internal culture as a whole will need to change. Air India, on the other hand, is doing well so far under Tata
Consider these UAE-based updated visa services: The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) announced on Wednesday updated visa services that cover a wide range and must be carefully studied in order to reap all of their benefits. They are available through the authority's smart channels and include everything from removing the fingerprinting requirement for passports to granting group family visas for medical treatment and tourism. All visa and passport-related services for residents and visitors alike will no doubt be simplified by the services, which went into effect on February 1.
CHETESHWAR PUJARA, INDIA'S SILENT WARRIOR: Australians are known for being aggressive, and Cheteshwar Pujara is one player they fear. Yes, that is what you read. It's possible that the Indian top-order batter doesn't show any emotion, but he has the grit and aggression of modern sports. His grit belies his calm demeanor. He has shown a lot of patience, like a sculpture that chisels away. Pujara, 35, waits for the bowlers to bowl in his comfort zone and immediately punishes them after leaving numerous deliveries. The Saurashtra batter, 35, is about to play his 100th Test, coincidentally against Australia on Friday in Delhi. He made his debut against Australia in 2010. A No. 3 Pujara had to step into the big shoes left by "The Wall" Rahul Dravid, and the silent warrior has been able to live up to the hype and keep the opposition at bay.
A Rebel with a Purpose, RAQUEL WELCH When you are constantly judged on your physical attributes, it can be hard to be taken seriously. Hollywood siren Raquel Welch, who passed away yesterday at the age of 82 in Los Angeles, experienced this firsthand. The sexy star, whose looks were admired by everyone and who made the doe-skin bikini a fashion trend that was always outrageous, didn't let her size define her. Her 2010 memoir, "Beyond the Cleavage," was her rebuttal to those who had reduced her to body parts. Although Welch isn't the first or last actress to be called an object, we can only hope that her plea for attention is heard. In the 1960s, she was a man's ultimate fantasy figure, but there was more to her than just her looks.