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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

AI’s Maharaja smiles joyfully

All 30 grounded aircrafts now fly Mumbai : Air India’s Maharaja is all pleased as punch at 80. After years of huge costs and efforts, the last of the grounded 30 aircraft – inherited by the Tata Group during the privatization in Jan. 2022 – is now resurrected fully and took to the skies gracefully on Monday.   The aircraft is the gleaming VT-ALL, a Boeing 777-300ER, that was gathering grime since February 2020, and becomes the final among the two-and-half dozen aircraft that have been revved...

AI’s Maharaja smiles joyfully

All 30 grounded aircrafts now fly Mumbai : Air India’s Maharaja is all pleased as punch at 80. After years of huge costs and efforts, the last of the grounded 30 aircraft – inherited by the Tata Group during the privatization in Jan. 2022 – is now resurrected fully and took to the skies gracefully on Monday.   The aircraft is the gleaming VT-ALL, a Boeing 777-300ER, that was gathering grime since February 2020, and becomes the final among the two-and-half dozen aircraft that have been revved up and revived in the past few years, AI official sources said.   It marked a symbolic milestone for Air India itself - founded in 1932 by the legendary Bharat Ratna J. R. R. Tata - which once ruled the roost and was India’s pride in the global skies.   Once renowned for its royal service with the iconic Maharaja welcoming fliers on board, in 1953 it was taken over by the government of India. After years of piling losses, ageing aircraft, decline in operations and standards – almost like a Maharaja turning a pauper - it returned to the Tata Group four years ago.   This time it was not just the aircraft, the brand and the deflated Maharaja coming into the large-hearted Tata Group stables, but a formidable challenge to ensure that the airline could regain its old glory and glitter. Of the total around 190 aircraft in its fleet were 30 – or 15 pc – that had been grounded and neglected for years.   At that time, the late Ratan N. Tata had directed that all these valuable aircraft must be revived as far as possible and join the fleet. Accordingly, the VT-ALL, languishing at Nagpur for nearly five years, was ‘hospitalized’ at the Air India Engineering Service Ltd., its MRO facility in May 2025.   New Avatar Then started a thorough, painstaking nose-to-tail restoration of an unprecedented scale, in which over 3000 critical components were replaced, over 4,000 maintenance tasks executed, besides key structural upgrades like the longeron modification, engines, auxiliary power units, avionics, hydraulics, landing gears and almost every vital system was rebuilt or replaced.   After the repairs, the old aircraft was reborn, under the gaze of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and technical assistance from Boeing, and the new ‘avatar’ jetliner emerged with the highest global safety standards.   The aircraft cleared all the rigorous checks, a successful test flight, earned the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate and then made its maiden commercial flight from Monday, March 16 – after a wait of six years.   Sturdy Fliers Created in 1946 to become an instant global icon, the Air India’s mascot Maharaja now sports a youthful and chic look, a welcome with folded hands, closed eyes, featuring a bejewelled turban, stylish jootis, and a textured kurta in Air India’s new colours. He is prominently visible at various touch-points in a flyer’s journey, such as First Class, exclusive lounges, and luxury products.   Today, he commands a mix fleet of around 190 narrow and wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft like : A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo, A350-900 and B787-8, B787-9, B7770200LR, B-777-300ER. With the merger of Vistara and agreements signed for 10 A350 and 90 A320 aircraft, the Maharaja’s fleet is slated to soar to some 570 in the near future.

Unlocking Criminal Cases Through Hair Evidence, Forensic Trichology

Hair holds secrets. Forensic trichology reveals them—uncovering trauma, toxins, or identity through microscopic and DNA analysis, and aiding justice in cases from murder to human trafficking.

Forensic trichology is the scientific study and analysis of human or animal hair in criminal investigations. It involves examining macro-microscopic characteristics, structures, and forms to provide valuable evidence in cases such as homicide, burglary, kidnapping and human trafficking cases, poisoning or drug-related cases, and wildlife crime and animal cruelty cases. Hair analysis can determine species origin, racial background, ethnicity, and whether the hair was forcibly removed. It may also reveal evidence of trauma, drug use, or toxin exposure. It is durable and resistant to decay, making it a reliable form of evidence in forensic contexts.


The scientific examination of hairs began in the early twentieth century, although its potential as forensic evidence was recognised even earlier. In 1910, Victor Balthazard and Marcelle Lambert published "Le Poil de l'Homme et des Animaux", which was one of the first comprehensive studies of human hair in relation to animal hair. Balthazard and Lambert's book described marked structural differences between human and animal hair, which laid the foundation for microscopic hair analysis. Over decades, forensic trichology has produced change from microscopic examinations to DNA analysis, which is now considered a powerful tool used to detect and solve crimes.


One of the notable cases involving forensic trichology was the 1999 PriyadarshaniMattoo case, where forensics conducted microscopy and DNA analysis of hairs collected from the scene of the crime. This scientific evidence added credence to the case against the accused, Santosh Kumar Singh, and helped in the conviction in 2006. Forensic trichology served as corroborative evidence to account for how Singh could have committed the crime. A second notable case was the Delhi gang rape (2012), where forensic trichology partnered with other biological evidence to confirm the presence of the accused in the crime scene. Hair analysis played a crucial role in reconstructing events, aiding in justice for the victim. Alongside other biological evidence, it helped establish the sequence of events, ensuring a fair outcome.


The Indian judicial system has consistently recognised the importance of scientific evidence, including forensic trichology, in the judicial process. Courts acknowledged that analysis of hair would prove extremely useful as corroborative evidence along with other findings in several cases, including the Priyadarshini Mattoo case. By acknowledging the faith worth of such evidence, the judiciary reinforced the complementary role of science and law in achieving justice.


Recent advancements in forensic trichology have transformed it into a cutting-edge discipline. Today, researchers use methods like mitochondrial DNA analysis, which is getting genetic material from hair shafts in the absence of roots. This has come in particularly handy for cold cases where evidence is decades old. The use of mass spectrometry in hair examination is another recent development. It helps in the detection of trace elements, drugs, and toxins in the hair with unparalleled accuracy. Further studies investigated hair proteomics, which analysed the protein content in the hair to gain insights into an individual’s genetic predispositions. Another area that gives hope is the use of AI and machine learning algorithms to analyse hair morphology. The algorithms can reveal important features through which identification will become easy.


Forensic trichology is still an essential part of contemporary criminal investigations. From its humble beginnings to the adoption of sophisticated technologies, it has proven its value time and again. The recognition of hair evidence by the Supreme Court of India and its application in high-profile cases underscores its reliability and importance. Forensic trichology is advancing with research and technology, enhancing precision in justice. Society's ability to uncover the truth evolves with science, ensuring a thorough examination of every strand of evidence.


(Dr. Kumar is a forensic consultant to the Assam government. Bora is a student of National Forensic University, Guwahati.)

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