(NP) - Nepali airlines sacrifices goats in order to 'fix' technical problems

[Guest guest]

Nepal Airlines Corporation deserves to be banned. What airline sacrifices

goats (and arrests photojournalists who want to cover the news) in order to

fix technical problems, probably due to corruption and negligance? Is this

where the word scape goat comes from?

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*http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?nid=121310*

 

*NAC sacrifices goats to fix technical snag*

 

BY KRISHNA REGMI

 

KATHMANDU, Sept 3 - Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) failed to rid itself of

the recurring technical problem in its Boeing-757 aircraft, despite its

engineering department's untiring efforts.

 

But believe it or not, Chief of NAC engineering department, PBS Kansakar

found the root cause of the problem in his dream last night: God was angry

as the corporation had not appeased him by sacrificing goats.

 

Then, the corporation Sunday decided to worship Lord Bhairavnath, and

sacrificed two goats-- one black and another white- so that all would be

well with its aircraft.

 

The sacrifice was offered at NAC's hanger at the Tribhuvan International

Airport (TIA) at around 3:45 pm. NAC top bosses, including Managing Director

Gautam Das Shrestha were present to offer worship and goat blood to the

deity, said an NAC official. " The decision to sacrifice was made after

Kansakar consulted with the top management this morning. "

 

The NAC aircraft whose flights had often been cancelled was again grounded

last night after its two attempted flights to Hong Kong failed due to

repetition of the problem in the anti-ice device.

 

After operating flights to Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, the aircraft flew for

Hong Kong at 8:30 pm last night. " When the aircraft reached 31,000 feet over

Biratnagar, its anti-ice devise was switched on. But it would not respond,

leading to diversion of the flight to Kathmandu, " said Captain Y.K.

Bhattarai.

 

" With two hours maintenance, the engineering department said the problem was

fixed. It again flew at around midnight. After flying for around 15 minutes,

we checked whether the device was functioning or not at 20,000 feet. But it

was not. So, we returned for the second time. "

 

With the problem repeating time and again, the passengers are afraid to fly

NAC. " In the first flight, there were 129 passengers. The number was reduced

to 95 in the second flight, as passengers became scared, " said Bhattarai.

 

An official at the corporation said passengers have demanded re-routing of

their flight as they are afraid to take the NAC flight.

 

Meanwhile, NAC staffers, including senior officials detained Bikash Karki, a

photographer of Kantipur Publications while he was returning after taking

photos of the sacrifice.

 

He was later handed to the TIA security. The TIA freed him, charging him a

fine of Rs 226. " I took photos, as other officials were taking photographs

using their mobile sets, " said Karki.

 

NAC engineering department officials who snatched his camera and mobile set

have not returned them yet. When contacted, Kansakar first said he did not

have any idea about the equipment. But, after repeated inquiry, he conceded

he had the camera and cell phone.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 2007-09-02 20:01:43 (Server Time)

 

--

Lucia de Vries

Freelance Journalist

Bagdol, Patan, Nepal

Wijk 4-47, 8321 GE Urk, Holland