Mangalore Air Crash : NGO's 'Business' Proposal to Victims' Families...


Mangalore Air Crash : NGO's 'Business' Proposal to Victims' Families...

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Magalore, Jun 17: There is a popular saying in Kannada “Hana kandare hena bayi bidthade” (even a corpse will open its mouth at the sight of money). With money being the centre stage of all activities there is no dearth of people who don the roles of good Samaritans on the pretexts of helping people in distress. It is easy to hoodwink gullible people in the name of NGOs. This is exactly what is happening to the gullible victims of the families of Mangalore air crash as suddenly some people have appeared in Mangalore from nowhere saying they are here with the objective of helping the victims of families of Mangalore air crash.   

Three members of a NGO namely International Foundation for Aviation and Aerospace Development (India Chapter) (IFFAAD) had come from Delhi by flight and were camping in the city of Mangalore for the last 3 days.  They were staying in the luxury hotel - Hotel Gateway. The NGO members were accompanied by Stephan Eriksoon, an advocate representing a Swedish firm, specialized in catering to the families of air crash victims, the world over, who claims that he and his firm helped Indians who had died in the Kenyan Airlines that crashed in Cameroon a year ago get adequate compensation.   

Talking about their main objective Dr Sanat Kaul, Chairman of IFFAAD told daijiworld “We are trying to bring all the 158 families under one roof to ensure that the victims get their due. The families of the victims are not getting enough legal advice with regard to the compensation”. One of the members of the NGO Puja Jain pointed out that the families of the victims are not well versed with aviation laws and we want to educate them make them understand the issues involved. “According to us the families of victims are entitled to get much more than what is being offered and we want to help them” she said.  

But this NGO has come forward to help the victims not out of their concern for the families of victims. Their help comes at a cost of 30% of the compensation money which the families will have to shell out to this NGO for the ‘service’ it offers. In fact they are camping at the posh hotel and have been meeting several families of victims in what is called as “confidential meeting” and trying to make them understand that they are entitled to get much more than what is being offered by Air India Express. With the expectation of 30% of the compensation  this NGO  are able to  stay in the  posh hotel and are able fly frequently to and from.  

Naturally some families of victims have fallen prey to their charms and the members of NGO claim they have met 25 to 30 families in the last three days and have vouched to fight united for their dues. The NGO members have left for Delhi today but say they will be back in August to execute their plans of getting more compensation for the families.  However there are a few families who doubted their intentions and informed daijiworld about their modus operandi.  One of the brothers of the victim’s family even wrote to us smelling something fishy at the shameless way in which they were demanding 30% of the compensation from the families. 

Not only this, when daijiworld wanted to photograph them they refused and said photographs were not required which further strengthens our doubt. Is it really an NGO or business trick of unscrupulous people who want to deceive the gullible families of victims, taking advantage of their predicament as many of them are yet to come to terms with the gruesome tragedy?   

The families of the air crash victims should tread cautiously lest they fall into the trap of the devious people who appear from nowhere in the garb of NGOs. Of course the families of the victims should get whatever they are entitled to as India had ratified the Montreal convention of 1999 last year which entitles the victims to get compensation as per the international standards. But one only hopes that the victims do not end up shelling out 30% of the compensation to the NGO without gaining anything beyond what is already announced, by coming into the glib talks of these smarties. 

  • Mangalore Plane Crash - Complete Coverage : Click Here 
  

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Comment on this article

  • Vipinraj K, Nileshwaram

    Mon, Jul 05 2010

    Need of the hour is real tranparent legal help to the victims families. Life of the affeted families will never be the same, nobody can compensate the values of those lifes but to rebuild the families and dreams money is very much essential.

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  • Balakrishna Montadka, Sullia

    Fri, Jun 18 2010

    I can't believe that a Corporate company can stoop to such low level to Masquerade as an NGO to entice people of more compensation! All the NGOs in the region should caution people about, vested corporate interests fooling people in the name of NGOs.

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  • KT, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 18 2010

    Lawrence, well said man. Yes you don’t need a lawyer to get a compensation that set in the insurance act. Once you receive the money then file a case against AI in Mangalore court. There you can make agreement with lawyer for percentage. This process might take years but worth fighting. Don’t pay anything in advance to the lawyer. But remember for the final compensation where the application is given now, please do not make a deal of percentage with the lawyers or social workers or even with your own people. Remember you have missed a earning member of your family.

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  • Lawrence, USA

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    So much discussion is going on about the compensation for Air Express Crash at Mangalore. I wish someone with thorough knowledge to come forward and explain the procedure to get the compensation to the victim family.
    As far as I know, the victims should get about $160,000 (about 75 lakhs rupees) according to the Montreal Convention. The victims should get this amount without any hassle or without any lawyers. Further, they are eligible for the compensation for the lost baggage etc.
    Now, the second step is to sue the Airlines, Airport and the manufacturer of the Air Craft i.e Boeing to prove that they are at fault. This is very cumbersome procedure and only experienced Lawyer or Law Firms can handle these cases. The Law firms normally charges 33% of whatever recovered from these law suits. This is called contingency payment – if they don’t recover, you don’t pay anything. There is lot of work involved such as private investigation, research, expert testimony etc. and it may take several years to collect the compensation. Victims/families have nothing to lose in these law suits.
    The lawyers have come to the town because they know that they can recover more than what the Airlines will be paying. One has to make sure that they don’t get a cut in what the Airlines have to pay according to Montreal Convention.
    For some families, the compensation may look big (in Indian standard) but they have to remember that they have lost an earning member in the family for life. His/her potential earnings will be much more than what you are getting as compensation now. My advice is that, please do not share your compensation with any extended family members/friends and do not give for any charity.
    Further, take local lawyer and talk to the lawyers who have come to the town to take up your case.

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  • Kashimji Yasir, Bhatkal/Sharjah

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    If this so called NGO can assisst the victims in getting more than what the AIE authorities claim to give ( around IRS 80 lakhs or so), then there would be nothing wrong in giving 30% on anything above that amount and definitely not on the full amount.

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  • G D Desai, Bangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    They claim that they are a non profit organisation, But according to the documnet available on their website they are registered as a corporation under the Canada corporation act. "a body corporate and politic according to the provisions of the act" they are misleading people if they are claiming to be an NGO. They deserve to be booked under crpc 420.

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  • Salvador Noronha, Omzoor/Mumbai

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    These heartless shameless NGO's
    should be driven away. Never trust these people, they are pain
    to the society.

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  • sardar Harees Malpe / London , Dubai /london

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    I have send letter to IFFAD attached Daiji news article to Amb. Charles M. Bedard, Chairman of IFFAD . here I request all Mangloreans stand united on this
    issue against so called money makeing NGOs . we should take strong action against if so called people mess up with these victimes family.

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  • MATEEN ALANGAR, ALANGAR -MOODBIDRI

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    It seems that NGO is an Indian Political Party.

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  • Louis DAlmeida, Mangalore/UAE

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Thanks to the various search sites available on the internet (google, yahoo etc), today, we can find out to a very greater extent the minimum available compensation for a victim of aviation disaster (the Montreal Convention for which India is a signatory).

    Best thing for the kin's of Air India crash victims is to consult a solicitor (for an agreed amount of fee)to know their rights and way forward.

    We got to study these NGO's who want to study our problems !

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  • THANVEER AHAMED, UDUPI/DUBAI

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    WHERE SUGAR IS THERE ...THERE ARE ANTS!

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  • Max, Mangalore/Dubai

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Thanks Daijiworld...well done. Make sure this news comes up in all local newspapers in Mangalore/Kerala, so that local people can shun these so called NGO's when they try again to dupe victims families. How dare are these people to ask for 30% from victims families. Just imagine it is not even a month and the families are not even come out of the tragedy. I am sure there are many good samaritans in Mangalore and in India who will definitely help victims families to get their dues without taking anything in return.

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  • KT, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Mr. Shetty, As you say “ I know that there is numerous insurance claims available for air travel disaster “ can you name one? Other than Montreal Convention act which you read recently. Do not make open statement, and how do say 0/100, even a uneducated man (real claimer) if he goes to right person in AI or in to Mulla & Mulla they will guide them to get the compensation. Sitting in Dubai easy to write. AI paid interim compensation within 20 days do you think this will happen any where in the world? Please guys do not make open and foolish statement on the media.

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  • Krishnakanth Nayak, Bejai

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Thanks daijiworld for throughful article. Your website has been one of the most powerful media tool for Mangaloreans locally as well as worldwide. In many ocassions you have created impact. You have shown right face of some NGOs.

    May I kindly request you to expose similar NGOs who work  in Mangalore specially against MSEZ, MRPL, Nagarjuna and other developmental projects? . I am sure you will get lot of stuff to publish, if you chase them.

    They are real pain for Mangalore, if not all, ateast few of them. Thank you

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  • Prashanth Dsouza, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    DEAR READERS, PLEASE LET US BE TOGETHER AND NEXT TIME IF THESE NGO's APPEAR IN MANGALORE, LET US UNITE AND WILL TEACH THEM LESSION AND MAKE THEM RUN AWAY FROM HERE AND THEY SHOULD DO THIS TO ANYONE HEREAFTER. WE HAVE GOOD INTELLECTUALS IN MANGALORE WHO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT. AND AS PER IATA AND GENEVA INSURANCE SCHEME....IF THE PASSENGERS ARE ALREADY NO MORE..FULL COMPENSATION WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT RECOURSE.

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  • Royster, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    A couple of weeks back a person died in a road accident in Jeppu. This so called NGO should help that persons family get compensation from corporation, the contractor and others concerned first then bother about the Air crash victims kins who are already being compensated.

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  • Abraham Coutinho, Mundkur/Bombay

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    These people are not NGOs. Even if you think they are just a consultants, still they are wrong. Professional people like Consultants & Advocates can only charge their Fee. They are not supposed involve in the percentage, commission or sharing the profit. It's against the professional ethics and they can be brought to the court of law.
    They are fake and cheaters. Came to make money. They should not be entertained.

    Similar thing had happened in Bhopal Gas Tragedy also. Some Advocates from U.S.A came and got the case papers signed by the kin of victims but nothing worked out as finally the matter is handled here only by the Indian Government and Supreme Court.


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  • Stephen Dsouza, Neelavar, Brahmavar

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    After reading this report I did a google search for IFFAAD and got their official website as (www.aviationdevelopment.org). And also the full form of IFFAAD given here is also has a mistake. And if someone wants to verify the legitimacy of these 3 people who are in Mangalore now, it would be best to contact people listed on their website under "contact us" section. In their "Mission" section they have said, they are a non-profit organization, so it is interesting to know why they are asking for 30% commission. Also, nowhere they have mentioned that they assist victims in getting proper compensation. I guess Daijiworld should investigate and bring the truth out here. I guess it's not so difficult now since we have IFFAAD's genuine contacts.

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  • STALIN MISQUITH, m'lore/Bahrain

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    I THINK IT IS ANOTHER DRAMA BEING ENACTED BY CUNNING NGO'S.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen Shetty, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    In todays world, everything comes at a cost and if someone says that he is doing it in the interest of society he is a cheat. This is very true.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Eulalia D'Souza, Bijai / Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Is this yet another way of making money in the disguise of being NGO.
    As it is, the family members of victims are going through enough trauma I am certain, with loss of beloved ones. Here is some body a stranger coming to teach the vulnerable kit n kin of the deceased how to claim the compensation. These kind of so called NGOs should be brought to light and action should be taken against them.
    Thank you Daiji for bringing this to light b'coz people can be aware of the fact that they can be taken for a " Royal Ride "
    Next time they are in city, please try and expose them to public & they will be treated well with what they deserve, why 30%, we could ensure they get 70% from general public..!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Pavitra Shetty, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Its no different with our own city lawyers. In case of road accidents the lawyer takes as much as 40% to 50% from the claimant. No sooner we get the cheque in our hand he or she will accompany you to the bank to withdraw the amount and we have to give the percentage. The higher the percentage higher the claim. The lawyer throws a lil money to the insurance employee and lo you have a claim

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  • Ryan, Kuwait

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    I completely agree with Mr Gireesh Shetty. But these should not be called as NGO's but these are consultants or Agents who take care of the file work on behalf of the victims. Mr Charles Dmello Pangla says, do we need Foreigners to teach Indian Law? The air crash compensation does not comes under Indian Law, it is an International Aviation law and most of our lawyers may not be aware about how much the compensation to get. If we put these guys behind bar, do we have any other govt servers who can work to release the full compensation to the victims? This So called NGO is far better than our Ministers.

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  • Jawar D'Souza, M'lore/Doha

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    I think the relatives of the Victim should appoint a good solicitor to find out the compensations available to the victims families they might have to shell out only 1 percent.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • S.moorthy, Mangalore/ Dubai

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Well done Daijiworld, we highly appriciate your effort of lighting the face of these type of so called NGOs. As you mentioned they are purely the people wash their hands in the tears of victims. 30% of the compensation, how these heartless people spitting these word of commission in front of the victims. We Mangaloreans shouldnot allow these people to enter the district. Its ok theye are entered by mistake, now after your report everybody knows about this. We the people of this district should put pressure on the district administration to take action on them. We have good lawyers in the disrict and most of the victims relative are educated and they help others also. So I think so called NGOs shouldnot interefere in this.

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  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    Put them Behind Bars when they visit next. Do we require a foreigner to teach law to Indians ????

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  • jacintha, mangalore

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    NGO should not be the name given to them, they are consultant. NGOs give voluntary service, rehabilitation and emotional support. Bargaining for money is a consultant job, well done by western country consultants. That, there are Indians too in it, speaks volumes to the level we want to creep to. Yes, the families should be compensated with the best. Legally fleecing to make money for self, is not the best compensation. Chase them away now, else the innoscent souls won't rest in peace.

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  • Naveed, Moodbidri

    Thu, Jun 17 2010

    This is ridiculous and It's really shame on NGO.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Percy Noronha, Mangalore, Muscat

    Wed, Jun 16 2010

    Since all families of the victims may not be able to access internet and get news from Daijiworld, hope the local newspapers publish this news to bring awareness among those family members.

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  • Gireesh Shetty, Mangalore-Dubai

    Wed, Jun 16 2010

    Well if the intentions of the NGO is genuine and as they mentioned if the Compensation due is true, then I dont see any problem in them charging 30%. May 10-20 % would have been ideal anyways. And these people are anyways demanding from the compensation that too after the victim family's get it. Anyways if its true that most of the victims relatives are elders and not much educated whats wrong in taking a legal help for a charge. Getting 70/100 id far better deal than getting 0/100. Anyways the charges should be strictly after the compensationis released and nothgin in Advance. I dont smell anything fishy here as far as I know that there is numerous insurence claims available for air travel disaster which most of us might not be knowing.

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  • Arohi, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 16 2010

    this had to happen, there is no one who will help others if there is no profit for him.

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