UAE Doctor Pledges AED 2.5 Million to Support Families of Medical Students and Doctors Killed in Air India Crash
UAE-based doctor and philanthropist Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil has announced AED 2.5 Million (?6 crore) in financial aid for the families of medical students and doctors affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad—an act of solidarity shaped by his own years spent in medical hostels and the deep personal resonance of the tragedy. The devastation unfolded on 12 June, when a Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the hostel and mess blocks of BJ Medical College, killing four medical students, injuring dozens, and claiming the lives of family members of doctors residing on campus. The aircraft struck the Atulyam hostel complex during lunch hour, reducing student residences and the dining hall to rubble. Survivors described scenes of chaos, with books, belongings, and plates scattered amid the destruction. Among those killed were MBBS students Jaiprakash Choudhary from Barmer, Rajasthan; Manav Bhadu from Shree Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Aaryan Rajput from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and Rakesh Diyora from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. All were in the early years of their medical journey, full of promise and purpose. As many as five family members of doctors were also killed in the tragedy.
Announcing the relief from Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shamsheer, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings and Managing Director of VPS Health, said he was deeply shaken when he saw the aftermath of the crash. As someone who had once lived in similar hostels during his own medical education at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore and Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai, the images struck a chord.
'I saw the footage from the mess and the hostel, and it truly shook me. It reminded me of the places I once called home, the corridors, the beds, the laughter, the pressure of exams, and the anticipation of a call from family. No one expects a commercial aircraft to come crashing into that world,' he said. 'Those students started the day thinking about lectures, assignments, and patients. Their lives ended in a way none of us could ever imagine. It hit close. Too close.'
Dr. Shamsheer's relief package includes ?1 crore for each of the four deceased students' families, ?20 lakh each for five seriously injured students, and ?20 lakh each for the families of doctors who lost loved ones. The financial assistance will be delivered in coordination with the Junior Doctors' Association at BJ Medical College, ensuring that those in need receive support swiftly.
This is not the first time Dr. Shamsheer has responded to such a crisis. In 2010, following the Mangalore air crash, he provided financial assistance and employment opportunities to affected families at Burjeel Holdings, a leading healthcare provider in the Middle East. His humanitarian interventions have extended to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and displacement crises across India and the Gulf.
But this, he said, felt personal in an entirely different way.
'These young men were part of the same fraternity I once belonged to. I know what it's like to stay up preparing for clinical exams, to crowd around a table in the mess hall, to walk into a hostel room after a tiring shift. That life builds not just doctors, but character. And to have that life stolen, so violently, so suddenly, is heartbreaking,' he said.
Among the injured is third-year student Ritesh Kumar Sharma, who was trapped under debris for hours with severe leg injuries. Several of his friends were injured alongside him. Others watched helplessly as classmates were engulfed in the impact.
Dr. Shamsheer emphasized that this support is not just financial, it is symbolic. It is a reminder that the medical community stands together, across generations and geographies. 'What happened cannot be undone. These students were preparing to serve others. Their memories must not fade into headlines. We must carry forward the dreams they didn't get to fulfill. It is shared responsibility,' he said.
As BJ Medical College reels from the loss, displaced students and families are being temporarily relocated. Many have lost more than shelter, they have lost colleagues, belongings, and a sense of safety.
The Junior Doctors' Association, which has been closely involved in supporting the affected students and families, is coordinating with authorities to facilitate assistance. Dr. Shamsheer's team will work alongside them to ensure the aid reaches those most in need in the coming days.
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