Civil Aviation and its Future

Before I come to discuss the subject of this evening's lecture, let me express my sincere thanks to the Association of Engineers for inviting me to come and speak before this meeting this evening. It is an honour that I deeply appreciate. When I find around me so many distinguished persons who are leading lights in their lines, I feel all the more conscious of this honour,-and also of my short-comings. The subject that I have chosen for this evening's talk is Civil Aviation and Its Future." Before a gathering of engineers, a word of explanation may be necessary for the selection of this subject. As practical engineers, all of you must be knowing full well how transport plays an important part in all fields of engineering. As a matter of fact, in many cases transport is of vital importance for the success of an engineering project. Questions of transport by sea, rail, rivers, canals, road, and air have to be taken fully into consideration when any big engineering project is being planned. No engineering plan could be considered to be complete or well-based if the various factors of transport are not fully examined from all angles. A study of our Second Five Year Plan will make this point amply clear. It has been readily admitted by many experts that some of the projects may have to be considerably slowed down or modified if the transport systems could not be properly developed to meet the increased demand of the plan. Transport is the key-stone on which the foundation of the Plan rests.