1. Does the law reckon the poor folk travelling in an ill-fated plane and losing their lives in an accident, along with mighty rich, as the 'Children of a Lesser God', with regard to the eligibility to obtain the statutory compensation payable under the Carriage by Air Act 1972, as amended by the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act, 2009 (Act 28 of 2009) incorporating the relevant provisions under the III Schedule in conformity with the Montreal Convention adopted on 28.05.1999, is the point involved.

2. The history of civil aviation industry in the world is said as traceable to the 18th century, when a hot air balloon was designed, proclaiming the starting of balloon flights, followed by construction of airships in the 19th century and the 'first flight' by the Wright Brothers in 1903. The concept of Air crafts and Air travel however was not alien to Indian society, in view of the reference to 'Pushpaka Vimana' in the 'Ramayana' by Saint Valmiki, though it was beyond the dreams of the rest of the world, till then. India also joined hands with the West, when the Tata's historic flight from Karachi to Mumbai was inaugurated on 15.10.1932. In the course of developments in all