Admittedly some religious traditions can be nuanced, but yikes, I can see how this might not be well received…
In this post:
Air India plane crash commemorated in unusual way
Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival that takes place every year over a period of 10 days, in late September through early October, and it’s particularly popular in West Bengal.
As part of this tradition, it’s normal to design elaborate temporary structures, known as pandals. These are intended for worship, community gatherings, and artistic expression. So the festivals often take place around these pandals, and they can have all kinds of themes, ranging from mythological stories to social commentary,
Most pandals are pretty traditional, and quite beautiful…
…some are a little more modern…
…and then you have one that was created this year, which depicts the crash of AI171, the deadliest plane crash we’ve seen in around a decade. This pandal shows an Air India plane that crashed into a building, with strobe lights and fake flames. In the sky, there’s even a “plane” moving toward the crash site, so that you can see its trajectory before crashing into the building.
This seems to cross some major lines, no?
Obviously I’m no expert on all religious festivals, which is why I’m asking a question here rather than making a statement. Certainly as an outsider, this kind of a display seems highly distasteful… but is there something I’m missing here?
I understand the concept of wanting to honor a tragedy, but there’s a fine line between doing that and… creating what almost looks like a haunted house party plane crash scene with flashing lights, no?
I imagine that constructing this was no small task, and that a lot of time and money went into it. So did no one express concerns about that? Or they knew it would be controversial, and went with it anyway? I mean, I suppose that people seem to be flocking to this pandal, based on the video posted online, so it seems those people have no issues with this? But oy…
Bottom line
During the Durga Puja festival, it’s standard to create pandals, which are intended for gatherings. A lot of work goes into these temporary structures, and they can be beautiful in all kinds of different ways. However, one recent pandal in West Bengal got a disproportionate amount of attention, given that it depicted the crash of AI171.
What do you make of this display “honoring” the Air India Dreamliner crash?
Well, I am an Indian. I don't like this idea. Initially, I thought it is a way of criticizing AI/Boeing. But all I see is a showoff in the name of pandal. There will be 50+ members in the org who take part. Not sure if majority rejected the idea.
It is Good to have Different cultures, But Do not forget, this was a Beautiful country where you could see Homes with Christmas Decorations right after Thanksgiving, Halloween Decorations abound,Kids knocking on Doors for candies. No more in The silicon Valley. You see Indian Flags on the Doors instead of US Flags, unless the occupants are afraid of getting Deported and the US Flag comes out! You ask your neighbors to Join you in Celeberating...
It is Good to have Different cultures, But Do not forget, this was a Beautiful country where you could see Homes with Christmas Decorations right after Thanksgiving, Halloween Decorations abound,Kids knocking on Doors for candies. No more in The silicon Valley. You see Indian Flags on the Doors instead of US Flags, unless the occupants are afraid of getting Deported and the US Flag comes out! You ask your neighbors to Join you in Celeberating The 4th Of July and the response is We celebrate Indian Independence Day on Aug 15th. No problem with wearing traditional dress, But you see Indian Religious people walking around Half Naked with Paint all over. This is too much.
Not a Big Fan of Trump, But thank you for limiting the H1B Visa abuses.
Still better than what has been done to Hawaii. Invading the land and then colonizing it, killing of hundreds in innocent civilians, desecrating the land, destroying the culture and making them second class citizens on their own land.
@BrownBoy
At least Hawaii got "state" status.
Like Alaska, they got state because of it's strategic military location.
The US territories had it worse. Followed by puppet nations such as Taiwan and Ukraine.
Their cement company also did a new york twin towers ad. People need to stop being so sensitive. Just have enjoy the art
This is a good culture exposure for westerners. We do some crazy bat shit that Indian people find it bizarre and offensive too.
What are things westerners do that would offend or confuse people from India? (This is not intended to provoke. I an honestly interested)
Eating beef is the obvious one.
The fact that I know that but continue to eat beef doesn't mean I regard my culture as superior, just different.
Personally I find the current western attitude to death all messed up - it's all jolly entertainment in feature films and video games, but real deaths cause the dead and their relatives to suddenly become regarded as saints.
Don’t offend but confuse - the whole social dynamic. Of course there are exceptions and many western families don’t fall in this but majority do - kids moving out as soon as they become adult, parents in their old age don’t live with their kids.
While this is in bad taste in every conceivable way and by all standards, local and global, I don’t think it actually caused that much outrage.
I live in India, and first saw this on Reddit and then on Twitter/X and then read about it in a tiny little article in a newspaper. I think definitely it’s a reportable story for aviation publications like yours, but I can definitely say it’s not caused any major outrage in India.
Ben
You must visit inDian cities on PR pass
Namely
Bom
Del
Ccu
Maa
Blr
Trv
Hyd
Jai
You spend time there tasting diff of
Foods according to each srates menu
There are 14 languages you see a rupee
Currency you will see list of languages
Cultural habits vary from state to state
And attire and food varieties
Despite...
Ben
You must visit inDian cities on PR pass
Namely
Bom
Del
Ccu
Maa
Blr
Trv
Hyd
Jai
You spend time there tasting diff of
Foods according to each srates menu
There are 14 languages you see a rupee
Currency you will see list of languages
Cultural habits vary from state to state
And attire and food varieties
Despite so many languages there is
Feeling of oneness and unity
You must visit and file a story
I will enjoy
Don’t forget to visit Taj Mahal
Which is in Agra 125 from Delhi
Any major religious activity should focus on compassion not controversy provoking insensitivity and pain to others.
Like the Crusade?
Land of Palestinian?
Yugoslavia?
Sunni and Shia?
Scientology?
Religion is perhaps the biggest reason for "provoking insensitivity and pain to others" and responsible for most mass deaths in our civilization.
This is the coolest thing India has done as a nation in a long time.
It’s still better than providing weapons for use in genocide.
What are you going to be a whiny little bitch about now that there's been a peace deal?
Not to worry, it won't take long for your Hamas terrorist buddies to screw it up.
Ben, I truly appreciate your detailed coverage on all things Air India, from the Vistara merger, to the rebrand and fleet orders, to the horrific crash — very little escapes your sharp radar.
Now how about actually flying AI? It’s been SEVEN long years since you’ve even visited India, let alone flew AI. With two new airports in Delhi and Mumbai opening, the next few months seem like a good time to visit the country.
Still gaslight Ben for over SEVEN long years?
It's ok Ben can just visualize he's in QSuites while flying Air India
I really doubt Ben is going to check out the lounge situation in Noida and Navi Mumbai airport. There is no indication that major international carriers are going to use those airports over DEL and BOM, so his target audience won't really care.
But your point about getting an AI review on both their old and new planes, is valid. There are times I wonder if its worth the risk to book an award ticket...
I really doubt Ben is going to check out the lounge situation in Noida and Navi Mumbai airport. There is no indication that major international carriers are going to use those airports over DEL and BOM, so his target audience won't really care.
But your point about getting an AI review on both their old and new planes, is valid. There are times I wonder if its worth the risk to book an award ticket on AI because there is always AI space bookable through Aeroplan (but not United for some reason).
He'll start flying when you stop crashing.
Oops, my alter ego didn't get my intentions right. Here is the improvised version! ;)
Ben, I truly appreciate your overly-detailed coverage on all things Air India, from the mistake of Vistara merger, to the rebrand and fleet orders that got delayed, to the horrific crash — very little escapes your sharp radar, as if you're trying to make them look bad and disguising as "coverage".
Now how about actually flying AI and expose yourself...
Oops, my alter ego didn't get my intentions right. Here is the improvised version! ;)
Ben, I truly appreciate your overly-detailed coverage on all things Air India, from the mistake of Vistara merger, to the rebrand and fleet orders that got delayed, to the horrific crash — very little escapes your sharp radar, as if you're trying to make them look bad and disguising as "coverage".
Now how about actually flying AI and expose yourself to hygiene issues, peeing passengers, scorpion coming out of nowhere and crashing? It’s been SEVEN long years since I've even started to act tough against you, let alone faking apologetic. With countless threats and apologist comments I've made at the same time, the next few months seem like a good time to visit the country.
Lmao clearly you know nothing about Indian culture
Let's be clear about what this is & isn't. This isn't Indian culture, nor is it Hindu religious tradition. This is the work of a single artist, who decided to create something provocative, then who got attention for it.
Sorry but to an outsider that’s just bizarre
Please let’s not impose our cultural values upon another. While this post is “just asking questions” it’s casting a judgment negatively on India and Indians. Don’t forget many cultures including those with GREAT airlines (ME3) hate, and I mean thoroughly hate, men who have s*x with men.
"Air quality and food hygiene are both poor. There is a sexist rape culture."
-You, regarding the country of India
Ben's just asking questions, you're just making statements. What's the difference, Arps / Biglaw V10 Partner / Paul Weiss / Today's Sock Puppet?
Good effing grief you are tedious.
Indian culture is so much different from any other, it is difficult to understand and judge it
Great! In my culture it's a terrible look. Understand and respect that too.
How does white supremacy look in your culture, David?
Wtf David. No, they don’t need to understand and respect your culture. Because *nothing* about this event was intended to be consumed by you or your culture. You happened to gaze in on someone else’s party. Remembering that might be helpful.
Nothing else to bait the snowflakes right?
Let's see if the woke has spread doxing to India and we will witness mass employment termination.
Quite simple.
Hinduism is based on duality.
Good and bad.
God does good. God also does bad. Different Gods play different roles, Durga is not a ‘destroyer’ like Shiva but she does have a very violent way of imposing her will.
There is balance, there is equilibrium.
It’s not about justice. God isn’t showing justice in bad things. God is just saying it’s not always an easy ride through rainbows....
Quite simple.
Hinduism is based on duality.
Good and bad.
God does good. God also does bad. Different Gods play different roles, Durga is not a ‘destroyer’ like Shiva but she does have a very violent way of imposing her will.
There is balance, there is equilibrium.
It’s not about justice. God isn’t showing justice in bad things. God is just saying it’s not always an easy ride through rainbows.
So yeah, I don’t know what the creator of this depiction was trying to say (That evil people suffered isn’t far fetched despite being distasteful, but he would believe God was behind it so it gives it weight.) what I do know is it fits in with the religion and isn’t certainly about making a statement one way or the other. It’s not political commentary. It happened so God is behind it. We are honouring Gods will even if it’s painful.
What a load of BS. Get your head examined!!
Happy to discuss if you explain why you disagree?
This is a helpful explanation K4, thank you
When I said “God does good and God also does bad,” I meant it in the older Hindu sense that divinity is total — creation and destruction, joy and sorrow, all part of one balance rather than moral opposition.
That’s why the pandal isn’t mockery. It’s devotional expression: an attempt to place tragedy within the cosmic order, to say even this, too, belongs to God.
To Western eyes, that feels unsettling because their traditions cast...
When I said “God does good and God also does bad,” I meant it in the older Hindu sense that divinity is total — creation and destruction, joy and sorrow, all part of one balance rather than moral opposition.
That’s why the pandal isn’t mockery. It’s devotional expression: an attempt to place tragedy within the cosmic order, to say even this, too, belongs to God.
To Western eyes, that feels unsettling because their traditions cast good and evil as separate forces. Hindu thought sees them as movements within one reality, restoring equilibrium. Ironically, many modern Indians now view such art through the same Western moral lens, forgetting that their own philosophy once saw sanctity even in chaos and dissolution.
How many people put so much work into this and thought it was a good idea? Are cultural taboos just different there?
Wow. I cannot imagine how the families feel about this. Seems to exploit rather than honor.