Reward for five students who helped avert air disaster

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday announced cash award of R50,000 each to five school students who helped avert a possible air disaster by informing authorities about flames coming out of a New York-bound Air India plane nine days back.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday announced cash award of R50,000 each to five school students who helped avert a possible air disaster by informing authorities about flames coming out of a New York-bound Air India plane nine days back.

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Dikshit after meeting the group at her office said the youths had helped save over 350 lives and in recognition of their "swift action" the government will honour them with cash awards. The students will be felicitated during the Independence Day celebration on August 15.

The youths, Kartik Bhandari, Jaideep Gosai, Himansu Soni, Manan Soni and Moulik Jhelani, who were on the terrace of a house in Saket, spotted sparks and flame from the engine of Air India's Boeing 777 plane and informed the police.

Their action followed by the police’s urgent response led the air traffic control (ATC) to clear the runway for the New York-bound Air India plane to return to base and land safely on July 16. Air India officials had said the pilots had noticed the flames soon after take-off and had already sought permission for an emergency landing from the ATC.