Air India plane crash: Helpdesks established for insurance and compensation claims for legal heirs of victims
Gandhinagar: Following the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, the State Government has initiated intensive rescue and relief operations with immediate effect. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a dedicated government apparatus was activated within minutes to ensure swift and coordinated response efforts, said a statement from the CMO.
Collectors of the respective districts have reached out to the families of the victims of the plane crash. To ensure the smooth and timely disbursement of insurance and compensation claims to the legal heirs, district-level accounting officers and other designated officials have been appointed as Nodal Officers. The district administration is extending full support and assistance to the affected families throughout this process.
To simplify the insurance claim process for those impacted by the plane crash, a Joint Cell has been directed to be set up at the hospital as per IRDAI's notification. New India Assurance has been designated as the lead insurer on behalf of the General Insurance Council, while HDFC Life has been appointed as the lead insurer for the Life Insurance Council.
With support from the district administration, help desks of New India Assurance, HDFC Life Insurance, and LIC have been established at the Civil Hospital. These desks are facilitating the prompt and efficient processing of insurance claims for deceased passengers and other affected individuals, while also offering them necessary guidance.
Furthermore, the nodal officer details of the respective insurance companies are being provided to the victim families.Efforts are also underway by the district administration to assist insurance companies with necessary information, including the passenger list, to expedite claim processing.
A total of 12 teams are engaged in DNA sampling operations in shifts to carry out DNA matching procedures. In parallel, counselling support is being provided to the affected families.
Additionally, the Health Department has deployed over 855 health personnel, including 100 healthcare workers at the trauma center, to support medical relief operations. This includes both regular Civil Hospital staff and supplementary manpower deployed specifically for this emergency response.
As of now, a total of 250 blood samples have been collected from the relatives of passengers and local residents affected by the incident. Among these, 62 DNA matches have been established. Of the matched cases, 27 mortal remains have been handed over to the respective families. Additionally, 8 mortal remains, identified without the need for DNA testing, were handed over to the families day before yesterday.
In total, 35 mortal remains have been handed over thus far. Only the samples of relatives of 3 passengers remain pending. These relatives are currently residing in the U.K. and are expected to arrive in the next 2-3 days to provide their samples.
To coordinate the handover process of mortal remains and maintain continuous communication with the families of the deceased passengers, the district administration has appointed over 250 Nodal and Assistant Nodal Officers. Supervisory officers have also been designated to ensure that all procedures are conducted smoothly and in an organised manner.
These dedicated officers are providing comprehensive support to the families--from establishing initial contact to assisting through all stages of the process up to the final rites. Once DNA matching is confirmed, mortal remains are handed over and transported via ambulance, accompanied by police escort, to the location specified by the family for final rites. Officers also hand over the required documents and any recovered belongings, remaining present until the funeral is completed.
The state government is also coordinating with state emergency operation centres (SEOCs) in other states for relatives residing outside Gujarat. Contact has been established with the respective Nodal Officers of those states, and continuous coordination is being maintained for all inter-state cases.
A dedicated team from Air India is present at the Civil Hospital around the clock. As more family members of the crash victims arrive, arrangements for air travel are being provided free of cost based on their individual needs.
Additionally, the Roads & Buildings Department of the State Government has arranged transportation and accommodation facilities to ensure the families' comfort and convenience.
Through the various helplines and control rooms established by the State Government, nearly 1,700 calls have been received so far, and appropriate actions have been taken in coordination accordingly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of connect between ours and planet's health, says Saima Wazed
New Delhi : Ahead of the International Day of Yoga, Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia spoke about this year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, in her remarks. Wazed in her remarks noted that the International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul. The International Day for Yoga was first proposed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date. With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the Day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement. Wazed in her remarks said, "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature." She added, "In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet." Saima Wazed noted that when we care for the Earth, we care for ourselves. Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations. Highlighting the benefits of Yoga and they are well-documented, Wazed said, "Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practicing yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health. A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practicing yoga twice a week for eight weeks." On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, she gave a call for people to remember that every breath is a gift from nature, and every moment of mindfulness is a step towards a healthier future. "Let us create a world of health and harmony, of mind, body and planet", Wazed said
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
US: Indian embassy hosts Yoga session at Lincoln Memorial; envoy calls it a celebration of India's civilisational heritage
Washington, DC : The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, on Thursday (local time) organised a vibrant Yoga session at the iconic Lincoln Memorial ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of people, including members of the Indian diaspora and local residents. Speaking at the event, India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said, "We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. An enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India's ancient civilisation heritage in the form of Yoga. A large number of extended Indian families and the Indian diaspora are present with us here, along with the other citizens of the US. It's a wonderful day, a wonderful experience for us...I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning to celebrate this heritage from India..." Yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who led the session, highlighted Yoga's deeper purpose beyond physical fitness. "Yoga is widely popular already. We want to bring yoga to every household worldwide because it has many benefits. The deeper aspects of yoga are perhaps not so much known yet. We are here to spread awareness of the original purpose of yoga to actually attain a sense of freedom or oneness with the universe. So that's a deeper aspect of yoga that's very much related to meditation. Then the yoga postures, which are known as yoga asanas, are a part of the practice, part of a holistic system to support the mind, to attain freedom from unpleasant feelings and emotions and thoughts," he said. Dr Smita Patel, a participant at the session, praised the initiative and highlighted the health benefits of yoga. "I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for starting this 11 years ago, and I liked today's theme 'One Earth, One Health'. As a physician, I believe yoga is as essential as breathing and taking medication. Yoga helps reduce anxiety, improve depression, and for children, it helps their attention span, concentration, ability to focus on a task, and ability to complete a task," she said. Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre also shared his thoughts, saying, "The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7000 years ago. Yoga has three different parts. Yog Asana, Yog Darshan and Yog Sadhana... Yoga is a multi-faceted approach to healthy living. Yoga can bring world peace and it can unite human society..." The event reflected the growing global embrace of Yoga not just as a physical discipline but as a holistic path to well-being, inner peace, and universal harmony. This year in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, where he will participate in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session at the city's beachfront. Nearly 5 lakh participants are expected to join him in the mass yoga demonstration. Simultaneously, Yoga Sangam events will be held at over 3.5 lakh locations across India, making this one of the largest coordinated Yoga celebrations. In addition, citizen engagement initiatives like 'Yoga with Family' and youth-focused campaigns under 'Yoga Unplugged' have been launched on digital platforms such as MyGov and MyBharat to promote participation and awareness. According to the release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the 2025 theme -- "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" -- highlights the interconnectedness of human and planetary health and echoes the global vision of collective wellness, rooted in India's philosophy of "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (May all be free from disease). Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted India's proposal to observe 21st June as IDY, the Prime Minister has led the celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar. IDY has since evolved into a powerful global health movement.
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
PM Modi calls for 'inner peace as global policy' on International Yoga Day, urges global partnership through yoga
Visakhapatnam: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the international community to embrace "inner peace" as a "global policy' and make yoga a collective global responsibility. Speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, the Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. "I would like to take this opportunity to urge the global community on this important occasion to let this International Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity. Let this be the day when inner peace becomes a global policy, where yoga is embraced not just as a personal practice, but as a powerful tool for global partnership and unity. Let every country and every society make yoga a shared responsibility, a common contribution toward collective well-being," the Prime Minister said. The event was held along the scenic Visakhapatnam coastline, with Indian Navy ships stationed near the shore, adding to the grandeur of the celebration. PM Modi was joined by lakhs of yoga enthusiasts, residents, and dignitaries from Andhra Pradesh. Calling for a global mass movement through yoga, PM Modi said, "Come, let us all together make Yoga a mass movement. A movement that takes the world towards peace, health and harmony. Where every person starts the day with yoga and finds balance in life. Where every society is connected to yoga and free from stress. Where yoga becomes the medium to bind humanity together. And where Yoga For One Earth, One Health becomes a global resolution." At the start of his address, the Prime Minister extended greetings to people across the world on the occasion of International Yoga Day, marking its 11th year of celebration since the UN recognised June 21 as the global day for yoga in 2014. In a message about yoga's role in connecting humanity with nature and each other, PM said, "Yoga teaches us that we are not isolated individuals, we are an integral part of nature. In the beginning, it helps us take care of our own health and wellness. But gradually, this awareness expands, and we begin to care not only for ourselves but also for our environment, our society, and our planet. Yoga is a system that takes us from 'Me' to 'We'." The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh government and extended special thanks to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan for organising the event. He called their leadership "inspiring" and described the state's initiative to promote yoga as "commendable." "Yoga is for everyone beyond boundaries, beyond backgrounds, beyond age or physical ability. It is a universal gift that unites humanity in health, harmony, and consciousness. Friends, I am truly delighted that we are gathered here in Visakhapatnam, a city that beautifully blends nature with progress. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan for hosting such a wonderful event under your inspiring leadership. It is commendable that the state of Andhra Pradesh has taken this meaningful initiative to promote yoga," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister also reflected on India's 2014 proposal at the United Nations to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day and how, in record time, over 170 countries supported the move. He said that yoga has since grown into a worldwide practice that symbolises peace, balance, and cooperation. This year's celebrations saw participation from lakhs of people across states.
