India, July 14 -- The crash of Air India flight AI171 is more than just a tragic aviation incident - it's a reckoning. Beneath the twisted metal and charred debris lies a sobering question: Has the ambition to revive India's national carrier outpaced its ability to reform it?

The tragic incident involving Air India flight AI171 has shattered more than just an aircraft. It has broken the illusion many held that under the stewardship of the Tata Group, India's flagship airline would reclaim its lost glory and deliver on the long-promised vision of a world-class, safe, full-service carrier.

But as the dust settles and the voices of concern grow louder, one must ask: Was the AI171 tragedy an operational mishap, or was it a culmination of sy...