The ascendency of India as an economic world power

CNN has a story about Air India in which it reported that more than 10 air hostess have been restricted from flying in the air because they are overweight. Of course, they are by no means fat- just a bit more overweight than what the airlines wants.

CNN wrote:

Until two years ago, Air India allowed an attendant's weight to vary within 6.6 pounds (3 kilograms) of a specified limit. It has since put in place strict weight parameters that all attendants must meet. When they don't, the airline grounds them without pay until they shed the excess pounds.

The airline says that someone who is Sheila's age, height and weight should weigh 143 pounds (65 kilograms). She misses the mark by 5 pounds.

"It's very demoralizing," Joshi told CNN. "And ... it's quite humiliating."

"Weight is always on my mind," she added. "They can tell you, 'You look overweight. Please go.'"

I think that Air India authorities should focus on smartness rather than 5 pounds of extra weight. They should see where these air hostesses are skilled in their work rather than giving too much importance to the weight factor.