Air India makes history, UAE new visa services, Pujara on the top, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 16

THIS TIME, AIR INDIA MAKES ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: Air India has flown into some extremely positive headlines this week, with record jet and jet engines deals. The placement of orders with Airbus and Boeing speak of far greater ambitions than just replenishing an aging fleet. The choice of aircraft for the next chapter in the Indian flagship carrier’s journey is well thought out, and with the intention of winning back eroded market share on busy routes. It will not be easy, because much will need to change beyond having new aircraft. The whole internal ethos of the airline will have to transform, and not just at the top. But so far, under Tata, there are a lot of things going right for Air India. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

TAKE NOTE OF 15 UPDATED VISA SERVICES IN THE UAE: The updated visa services of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), as announced on Wednesday, cover a wide range and must be carefully studied to avail their full benefits. Offered on the authority’s smart channels, they include everything from issuance of group family visas for tourism and medical treatment to exempting people of determination citizens from the requirement of fingerprinting for passports. The services, which took effect from February 1, will no doubt ease all visa and passport-related services for residents and visitors alike. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

CHETESHWAR PUJARA THE SILENT WARRIOR FOR INDIA: Australians are known for their aggressive intent and if they fear one player that is Cheteshwar Pujara. Yes, you read it right. The Indian top-order batter might not show any emotions on his face, the grit and the aggression that is associated with modern day sports. His calm demeanour belies his grit. Like a sculpture who chisels away, he has demonstrated tremendous patience. After leaving numerous deliveries, 35-year-old Pujara waits for the bowlers to bowl in his comfort zone and punishes them immediately. After making his debut against Australia in 2010, the 35-year-old Saurashtra batter is on the threshold of his landmark 100th Test, incidentally against Australia in Delhi on Friday. A No 3 Pujara had a big shoes of ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid to fill, and the silent warrior has managed to live up to the expectation and stonewall the opposition. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)

RAQUEL WELCH WAS A REBEL WITH A CAUSE: It’s hard to be taken seriously when you are constantly sized up for your physical attributes and Hollywood siren Raquel Welch, who died yesterday at 82 in Los Angeles, experienced it first-hand. The bodacious star, who was universally admired for her looks and had single-handedly catapulted a doe-skin bikini into a perennial risqué fashion statement, did not let her physicality define her. In 2010, her memoir entitled ‘Beyond The Cleavage’ was her clap back to all those who reduced to her body parts. Welch isn’t the first or the last actress to be objectified, but here’s hoping that her battle cry to be taken seriously doesn’t go unheard. She may have been a male’s ultimate fantasy figure in the 1960s, but there was definitely more to her than her looks. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)