A Rulebook Alone Cannot Guarantee Dignity; Every Hand in Aviation Must Ensure It: Manmeet Kaur Nanda

The 'Sensitization and Training Handbook: Further Advancing the Accessibility of India's Aviation Services' was launched on 4 November 2026 at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

• The handbook was developed by Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
• It covers 21 specified disabilities, including invisible disabilities, and provides guidance on rights, safety protocols, and passenger assistance.
• Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary of DEPwD, emphasized the need for continuous sensitization and measurable accountability in the aviation ecosystem.
• Stuti Kacker, Former Secretary of DEPwD, highlighted the role of civil society and the principle of 'Nothing About Us Without Us'.
• S. Govindraj, Commissioner of the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the need to extend priority assistance during deplaning.
• Prateek Sen of IndiGo emphasized the importance of trained personnel with the right attitude and soft skills to complement accessible infrastructure.