Maharaja of Air India yet to bow to Olympic bronze

It has been more than 45 days since Gagan Narang won the bronze at the London Olympics in the 10m air rifle event. The shooter has been getting a lot of congratulatory calls and messages, apart from attending award functions and felicitation programmes. But, the bronze medallist is yet to hear from his employers, Air India.

According to people close to Narang, Air India still hasn’t acknowledged the shooter’s medal, leave alone giving him a promotion, which is due for long.

“Everybody in the country has wished Gagan after his medal win in London, but surprisingly, nothing has come from Air India so far. The organisation has not even sent him a letter of appreciation,” said Pawan Singh, close friend of the shooter and director at the city-based Gun For Glory Shooting Academy.

Singh also told DNA that Air India has not given Narang a promotion for the last two years. “There are three promotions pending. They haven’t promoted him for the past two years, and moreover, according to the rules, he should get one promotion after the medal win. But nothing has come so far,” he added.

Narang holds the post of senior manager with Air India and after getting the three due promotions he could well end up as deputy general manager.

DNA tried to contact the chairman-cum-managing director of Air India, Rohit Nandan, but his phone remained busy. DNA then sent him an SMS message.

Nandan replied that he was at a meeting and later kept his cellphone switched off.

On the other hand, DNA learnt that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is trying to take Narang on board, provided the latter gives his consent.

“We have expressed our wish to take Gagan on board, but it is at a very initial stage. We haven’t got any reply from the shooter, but if he is ready, we can offer him a good post,” said the deputy general manager and head of corporate sports, VK Mahendru of the ONGC.