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Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Faces of the innocent lives wiped out in an instant: The British victims of Air India plane crash - from widower fulfilling late wife's wishes to newly-engaged couple
There were 242 people on board the Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport when it crashed on June 12, leaving just one survivor. Air India said that there were 169 Indian passengers on board, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, as well as 12 crew members. At least 38 people were also killed on the ground as the doomed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner came down in a residential area moments after takeoff. British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40 from Leicester, was named one week ago as the sole survivor of the crash, and was discharged from hospital to be a pallbearer at the funeral of his brother, who was also on the flight. Relations of the 51 Britons also on board have since paid tribute to the nurses, teachers, lovers, parents, children and friends whose lives were tragically cut short last week. In memoriam, these are the names and stories of the 52 Britons who lost their lives on June 12. Debris from Flight AI171 after it crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad last Thursday Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar who accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but sadly perished Arjun Patoliya, 37 Arjun Patoliya, from Edgeware in London, had travelled to India to fulfil his late wife's final wishes, scattering her ashes in a river in the village where they both grew up. Bharatiben Patel, known as Bharti, 43, had died just three weeks before the crash. Their two children, aged four and eight, were left orphaned after Mr Patoliya was killed. Mr Patoliya had studied at Liverpool John Moores University and worked as a furniture designer. Akeel Nanabawa, 36 Akeel Nanabawa, from Gloucester, was flying home from a five-day family celebration in Gujarat with his wife, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara, when Flight171 crashed. The young couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester. They were 'widely loved and deeply respected', their family said in a statement after the tragedy. Hannaa Vorajee, 30 Ms Vorajee, wife of Akeel Nanabawa, ran a global recruitment agency with her husband, volunteered at a local Islamic school and was a director for a company promoting understanding of Islam. The couple's business partner, Shoyeb Khan Nagori, told MailOnline that 'Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people'. Ms Vorajee was a trained midwife. Sara Nanabawa, 4 Sana Nanabawa was the four-year-old daughter of Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee. She died on the week of her fifth birthday and was described by teachers as a 'ray of sunshine' who 'lit up the classroom'. 'His [Akeel's] quiet generosity, her [Hannaa's] warmth and kindness, and their daughter's [Sara's] bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them,' Imam Abdullah told the BBC. Raxa Modha Raxa Modha, who ran a restaurant in Wellingborough, was travelling to England with her daughter-in-law and two-year-old grandson, Rudra, for a memorial service for her late husband at the time of the crash. Kishan Modha – Rudra's father and Raxa's son – had also been in India but was not on the flight. He was due to fly the next day. Jay Bapodra, a family friend, told the BBC: 'Raxa was very loving. She did a lot for the local community, especially from a charitable perspective - both here and in India. 'She was just one of those characters where she'd walk into a room and light it up.' Rudra Modha, 2 It was the first time young Rudra was travelling to the UK, Mr Bapodra told the BBC. They were hoping for him to meet the family in Britain. Yasha Kamdar Yasha Kamdar, Raxa's daughter-in-law, was also on the flight. The Modha family said in a statement: 'It is with deep sadness that we have lost three members of our family. 'Raxa Modha, Yasha Kamdar and Rudra Modha lost their lives on flight AI 171 on 12 June. Our hearts are broken. We are at a complete loss.' Abdhiben (Abdhi) Patel, 40 Abdhi Patel, from Northampton, was returning to the UK after caring for her elderly mother in India when Flight 171 crashed. She was a manager at Zone Beauty Studio in Northampton. Colleagues described her as a 'kind soul' who 'brought light to every room, strength to every challenge, and kindness to every moment.' She leaves behind her husband, Pankaj Patel, and their young 8 year old son, Meer, who are now facing a future filled with immense grief and uncertainty, a fundraising page reads. Maghaben Patel Maghaben Patel was flying home with her sister at the time of the crash. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39 Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and husband Jamie lived in London and ran a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry. Fiongal had appeared on ITV's This Morning earlier this year to speak about their Ramsgate business. Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45 The families of the couple said they were 'beyond devastated' by the news. The pair had been in India on holiday. Manish Babu, 46 Manish Babu had spent three months caring for his ailing father in India before the crash. After his father passed away, Manish decided it was time to return home to Leicester, his home of 25 years, his cousin told LeicestershireLive. His family paid tribute to a 'very kind man'. Inayatali Saiyedmiya Saiyed, 48, and Nafisa Saiyed, 46 Inayatali Saiyed was returning to the UK with family after travelling to Ahmedabad to celebrate Eid. He was joined by his wife, Nafisa, daughter, Taskin, and son, Waquee Ali. Inayatali's wife, Nafisa, was also killed on Flight171. Taskin Saiyed, 25 Taskin Saiyed was returning to the UK with her family at the time of the crash. She worked as a doctor. Waquee Ali Saiyed, 22 Waquee Ali Saiyed joined his family on the trip to Ahmedabad to celebrate Eid. The 22-year-old was a final year computer science student at City, University of London. Javed Ali Syed, Mariam Syed, Zayn Ali Syed, 6, and Amani Ali Syed, 4 Javed Ali Syed, a hotel manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel, and his wife, Mariam, were passengers on the fallen Air India Flight 171. Mr Syed was an award winning hotelier having previously received a Team Member of the Year award while working for the Comfort Inn London in Westminster in 2017. Mariam was the wife of Javed Ali Syed. She worked as a brand ambassador for Burberry at Harrods and was on the plane with her husband and two children at the time of the crash. Amani Ali Syed was Javed Ali Syed's young daughter. Zayn Ali Syed was his son. Adnan Master, 30 Adnan Master was visiting relatives with his wife and 11-month-old baby at the time of the crash. He is believed to have travelled back on his own. Ashwin Harrington, 27 Ashwin Harrington, 27, from Sudbury, Suffolk, was described by close friend Connor Mann, 27, as an 'incredible guy' who 'made us all constantly laugh and smile with his infectious laugh'. 'He was loved and adored by all of his family and friends and it's a hole that will never be filled because he was such a huge part of all our lives,' he told the BBC. Mr Harrington was due to compete in a Total Warrior obstacle course with Mr Mann in Leeds. Manjuben Maheshbhai Patel, 79 Manjuben 'Manju' Patel had been staying in the city while doing charity work at a temple, her son told Sky News. Ms Patel was on her way back to the UK to continue her volunteer work at a Hindu Temple in Queensbury, North West London. Volunteers there said she will be a huge loss to the community. She was sitting one row behind Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the crash, he said. Lawrence Daniel Christian, 30 Lawrence Christian had flown to India to bury his father. His mother, Ravina Christian, lost her husband, Daniel, in May to heart-related complications, and their son was the only bread-winner in the family. Lawrence had taken a final photo with his mum outside the airport. Christian's grandmother, Salvina Christian, said: 'We have lost everything, the three of us have been left here. 'Our strength, our pride, everything has gone. We have lost the light of our home.' Kamleshbhai Chaudary, 27, and Dhapuben Chaudary Kamlish, who lived in London, was killed on June 12 while flying home with his wife, Dhapuben. He was described as 'a very hardworking young man' by former colleagues and 'the sole breadwinner for his family in Ahmedabad'. Kamlish had flown to India in December 2024 to get married before returning to London to arrange for his wife's visa. He was said to have been 'overjoyed' when it was accepted and rushed out on June 3 to prepare for their journey back to London together. Kamlish and his wife both sadly died together on June 12. Dhir Baxi Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their early 20s, were sisters with ambitions to 'roam around the world', their family said. They were returning home to London after a trip to India to surprise their grandmother for her birthday. Dhir was a designer for a degree in fashion design. Heer Baxi Heer worked as a project leader in the investment and renewable energy sector. She had previously worked in Singapore, where the sisters are believed to have spent their childhood. Dr Prateek Joshi Dr Prateek Joshi was a Consultant Radiologist who worked at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton. His colleagues paid tribute to a 'dedicated and talented colleague and his family'. Dr Rajeev Singh, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Imaging at UHDB, said: 'Prateek was full of joy, he was a wonderful man, friend, husband and father, and an exceptional Radiologist who was highly respected in his field. 'He approached everything with a smile, radiated positivity and had a great sense of humour. He moved to Derby, from India, in 2021, quickly becoming a beloved colleague, he said. 'He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.' Dr Komi Vyas Dr Komi Vyas was killed while travelling back with her husband, Dr Prateek Joshi, and their children, Nakul, Pradyut and Miraya. Renjitha Gopakumaran Nair, 40 Renjitha Gopakumaran Nair was a nurse who had only recently resigned from her job in Portsmouth to move back to India with her two children, 12 and 15, and elderly mother. She was planning to start work as a nurse in Kerala and had already set a date for a housewarming party at her new home. 'She was a very humble person with a smile on her face all the time,' former colleague Leena Furtado told the BBC. Adam Taju, 72 Adam Taju, 72, and his wife Hasina, 70, were flying home with their 51-year-old son-in-law Altafhusen Patel at the time of the crash. Hasina Taju, 70 Their granddaughter, Ammaarah Taju, described the couple as the 'foundation of our family'. 'We wish we had the chance to tell you one last time just how much we love you, to thank you for everything you did for us,' Ammaarah said in a tribute with her three sisters. Altaf Patel, 51 Altafhusen Patel lived in London with his wife, Shamim. Hardik Avaiya and Vibhooti Patel Hardik Avaiya and Vibhooti Patel had travelled to India to celebrate their engagement. My Avaiya worked in a warehouse. Vibhooti, who was with her finace at the time of the crash, was a physiotherapist, friends said. The couple lived next to Manish Babu, who also died in the crash, LeicestershireLive reports. Hardik Avaiya, 27, and Vibhooti Patel, 28, from the Belgrave area, of Leicester Faizan Rafik Attari Faizan Rafik Attari, from Leicester, was described in a tribute on Facebook as a 'kind soul, devoted to his faith, and loved by all who knew him'. 'His presence brought warmth and calm, and his dedication to knowledge and deen was truly inspiring.' Faizan was 'loved by all who knew him', a tribute on Facebook read Nurat Jahar, 29 Nurat Jahar, 29, and her husband Sohail Oproyaliya had gone to Gujarat to see family in May and were returning home to the UK at the time of the crash. Nurat's husband had returned home to Leicestershire a week earlier for work. She had called her husband minutes before take-off to say she would be home soon. Nurat was returning home to her husband in Leicestershire Elcina Alpesh Makwana, 42 Elcina Alpesh Makwana was travelling home to London on June 12. She had called her parents before take-off to tell them that she had boarded safely and would call them again once she landed. 'That call never came,' her uncle Joseph Patelia told The Telegraph. 'She vanished just like that, leaving us in shock, in tears, unable to believe what we were hearing.' Mrs Makwana previously ran a telecoms business with her husband. She was in India for dental treatment and to spend time with her parents. Elcina Alpesh Makwana was spending time with her parents in India Panna Nagar Panna Nagar was an Ofsted inspector and former headteacher of the Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend. The school described Ms Nagar as a 'guiding light' and 'inspiration' for the children and staff whose lives she touched. She was flying home after a visit to India. Panna Nagar, a former headteacher, died in the Air India disaster on June 12 Ketan Shah, 43 Ketan Shah, who lived in Southbourne in Dorset, was travelling home when the Air India flight crashed. The 43-year-old ran a village community store in Shipton Bellinger and had travelled to India to see his sick father. He is survived by his wife, Megha, and his teenage son and daughter. Ketan Shah had lived in Dorset for more than a decade and ran a local shop Ramesh Hirji Hirani Ramesh Hirji Hirani, a husband and father who lived in Kingsbury, was travelling alone to Gatwick at the time of the crash. His uncle described him as a 'charitable' and 'friendly' person. Ramesh Hirji Hirani, who lived in Kingsbury, was travelling alone on Flight171 when it crashed Ashok Patel Ashok Patel, a financial advisor, lived with his wife, Shobhana, in Orpington, Kent. They had two sons and two grandchildren. The couple were both full of life and never gave up when times were tough, their eldest son, Miten, told the BBC. Shobhana Patel Shobhana Patel, a retired microbiologist, was killed with her husband, Ashok on Flight171. Miten, their eldest son, told the BBC: 'We were so fortunate and so proud to have been given them as our parents. 'We will miss them every day and make sure the kids remember the good times with Baa and Dada.' Ashok Patel, a financial adviser, and Shobhana Patel, a retired microbiologist, were living in Orpington, Kent Hemaxi Shantilal, Girish Lagli, Aadiv and Taksvi Girish Hemaxi Shantilal, from Wembley, was on board the London-bound flight with her husband, Girish Lagli, and their young children, Aadiv and Taksvi Girish, when the plane crashed. It is believed the family were sat in row 30 of the flight with Taksvi sitting on an adult's lap, the BBC reports. Ajay Ramesh Ajay, the brother of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the flight, was sitting just a few seats away from his sibling when the plane crashed. Vishwash Kumar was discharged from hospital and able to attend the funeral of his brother as a pallbearer after escaping the flight with relatively minor injuries. The funeral for Ajay Ramesh in Gujarat on Wednesday Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (pictured) attended the funeral of his brother as a pallbearer Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Air India crash highlights a new problem for Boeing: the Dreamliner
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The deadly crash of Air India Flight 171 last week has centered renewed scrutiny on the airplane's manufacturer, Boeing, and this time it's the 787 Dreamliner in investigators' sights. The accident, which killed over 270 people, was the first fatal crash for the Dreamliner since the model began flying in 2011. Experts had previously raised concerns about safety issues for the Dreamliner, and the crash comes just weeks after Boeing agreed to a multi-billion-dollar payout related to another one of its faulty aircraft, the 737 Max. Now, the Dreamliner's troubles may begin to overshadow the Max's issues. Worries about the Dreamliner are not entirely new, as the "planes have been the subject of heightened scrutiny after whistleblowers raised concerns about manufacturing and quality issues going back many years," said The New York Times. Despite these concerns, the plane had never been involved in a fatal crash in the 14 years it has been flying, according to the Aviation Safety Network. The cause of the Air India crash remains unclear, and "multiple factors, including bird strikes, pilot error, manufacturing defects or inadequate maintenance, can play a role in aviation accidents," said the Times. Determining the cause of the accident could take "months or years." Boeing "stands ready to support the investigation led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau," said Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg in a statement. But this is only the latest in a string of issues for Boeing, which has faced public ire over safety incidents in recent years. Just weeks before the Air India crash, Boeing "agreed to pay $1.1 billion in a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice to avoid prosecution over the two crashes that together killed 346 people" on 737 Max jets, said The Guardian. Recent problems with the Dreamliner have also drawn attention. American Airlines decided to ground a "new premium-heavy Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner due to serious maintenance problems," the aviation news site Simple Flying reported two days before the Air India crash. Another Dreamliner that was "identical to the one that crashed in India made four emergency landings in less than a month earlier this year," said The Telegraph. The Dreamliner debacle "comes at a critical moment for the hobbled American icon, which has been buffeted by a succession of crises in recent years, losing billions of dollars due to plane groundings and production delays," said The Wall Street Journal. The Air India crash will likely "raise fresh questions about Boeing just as it begins to emerge from the fallout of a high-profile incident early last year when a door plug on a recently delivered 737 Max fell off during a flight." Boeing employees have "observed shortcuts taken by Boeing" during assembly of the Dreamliner, "resulting in drilling debris left in interfaces and deformation of composite material," one Boeing engineer told CBS News. The engineer also claimed to have witnessed issues with other models. While this was the first fatal crash involving the Dreamliner, the plane has been "involved in previous investigations." The Air India crash was also critically timed for Boeing on the business side, as it occurred "days before the opening of the Paris Air Show, a major aviation expo where Boeing and European rival Airbus will showcase their aircraft and battle for jet orders from airline customers," said The Associated Press. Boeing has already been dealing with significant losses in recent years, having "posted a 2024 loss of $11.8 billion," said CBS, bringing its total losses to over $35 billion since 2019.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Air India Flight 171: Two pilots had almost no time to recover as passenger jet went down
Sumeet Sabharwal (55), had been considering early retirement to care for his octogenarian father. His co-pilot for the day, Clive Kunder (32), had just started to build momentum in his career. Together, they brought nearly 10,000 hours of flight experience to the cockpit. Now, it will be the final moments of their last flight, i ll-fated Air India Flight 171 , that investigators will be studying for months to come. The flight, which took off on Thursday from Ahmedabad city, India, bound for London, lasted less than a minute before crashing into the campus of a nearby medical college, leaving at least 270 people dead. The impact ignited a fireball so intense that the bodies of most of the victims are damaged beyond recognition, officials have said. Investigators have sealed the crash site and the hostels of the medical college that were hit. They have recovered the aircraft's flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder. They hope the conversation between Sabharwal and Kunder, along with other information recorded in these 'black box' devices, can shed light on whether the plane crashed because of mechanical failure, human error or some other combination of factors. READ MORE Regardless of what went wrong, officials and experts agree on one point: the pilots had virtually no time to regain control of the craft as it began going down. The Air India jet crashed just after takeoff, leaving at least 270 dead in Ahmedabad, India, last Thursday. Graphic: New York Times The aircraft carrying 242 people left the runway at 1:39pm local time and had travelled just over a mile, passing slums along the airport's perimeter. It never climbed higher than 650ft, according to India's civil aviation secretary, Samir Kumar Sinha. Within seconds of take-off, the aircraft 'started sinking', he said. Sabharwal issued a 'Mayday' call to the air traffic controller, declaring a full emergency, but the plane went down seconds later. 'When the air traffic controller tried to contact the plane, there was no response,' Sinha said at a news conference. Only one person on the plane survived. Sabharwal and Kunder, who lived in Mumbai, had parents who built their careers in the world of air travel. Sabharwal's father had worked as an officer in the civil aviation authority of India before retiring, while Kunder's mother worked as a flight attendant, also for Air India. Sabharwal, who was unmarried, was the primary caregiver for his father, who is now in his late 80s. His mother died three years ago, and his sister lives in Delhi with her family. The captain's neighbours and friends described him as a soft-spoken, reserved man, whom they often saw accompanying his father for walks in the garden of their housing complex whenever he was home. 'His father would be alone when he [the captain] went flying,' said Sanjeev Pai, a retired wing commander who said he was a friend and neighbour. Pai said the elder Sabharwal has been grieving since learning of the crash. 'He doesn't speak much,' Pai said in an interview. 'We try to offer him tea, et cetera, but he won't have anything out of sadness.' Soldiers carry the coffin of Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of India's Gujarat state, who was killed in the Air India flight crash. Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty According to Dilip Lande, a local politician who visited Sabharwal snr after the crash, the captain had told his father three days before the flight that he had been thinking of retiring to spend more time at his side. 'An hour before the Air India flight took off, he spoke to his father and told him that he would call again after landing in London,' Lande said. 'That call never came.' Kunder had joined the airline only a few years ago and had logged more than 1,100 hours of flight time. He studied aircraft maintenance engineering at the Bombay Flying Club, a pilot training institute, before taking up commercial flying in Florida, said Mihir Bhagwati, the club's chair. Indian news channels reported that Kunder's parents had been visiting his sister in Australia when Flight 171 crashed. The family flew to Ahmedabad on Friday to join hundreds of other relatives waiting for authorities to identify and release the remains of those who died. Rev Sam Muni, of the UBM Christa Kanthi Church in Mumbai, said Kunder had been a regular in his parish since childhood, often attending Mass with his parents. He described him as a 'very humble person' and said the last time he had seen him was at an Easter service. This Sunday, the parish celebrated Mass in Kunder's name, Muni said. 'We prayed for all the people who lost their lives in the crash, especially of Clive's family,' he said. – This article originally appeared in The New York Times
Arabian Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Burjeel Holdings chairman pledges AED2.5mn for Air India crash victims' families
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil has announced AED 2.5 million (₹6 crore) in financial assistance for families of medical students and doctors affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash that struck BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad on June 12. The founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings and managing director of VPS Health, said the tragedy struck a personal chord as he had lived in similar hostels during his medical training at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore and Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai. The Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the Atulyam hostel complex during lunch hour, killing 241 people aboard the aircraft and at least 38 people on the ground, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history. Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are… — Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025 Burjeel Holdings chairman supports families of medical students killed in Air India flight 171 crash Four medical students were killed in the hostel: Jaiprakash Choudhary from Barmer, Rajasthan; Manav Bhadu from Shree Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Aaryan Rajput from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and Rakesh Diyora from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Five family members of doctors were also killed. '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. 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 Vayalil said The 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 through coordination with the Junior Doctors' Association at BJ Medical College. Among the injured is third-year student Ritesh Kumar Sharma, who was trapped under debris for hours with leg injuries. The aircraft struck the hostel and mess blocks, reducing student residences and the dining hall to rubble. This is not the first humanitarian intervention by Dr Vayalil. In 2010, following the Mangalore air crash, he provided financial assistance and employment opportunities to affected families at Burjeel Holdings. His interventions have extended to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and displacement crises across India and the Gulf. '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 added. The Junior Doctors' Association is coordinating with authorities to facilitate assistance. Dr Vayalil's team will work alongside them to ensure aid reaches those most in need. As BJ Medical College deals with the aftermath, displaced students and families are being temporarily relocated. Many have lost colleagues, belongings, and their sense of safety alongside their shelter. The crash had only one survivor from the aircraft, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is recovering in Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, though medical officials report he remains in psychological shock. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The aircraft was bound for London when it came down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE businessman pledges Dh2.5 million for families of medical student victims in Air India crash
A UAE-based doctor and philanthropist has announced a financial aid package of Dh2.5 million to support the families of medical students and doctors affected by the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad. Driven by empathy and shaped by his own experiences living in medical hostels, Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings and Managing Director of VPS Health, said the decision was deeply personal and rooted in solidarity with the medical community. The tragedy struck on June 12, when a Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the hostel and mess blocks of BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad in India. The impact claimed the lives of four medical students and several family members of doctors, while dozens more were injured. The aircraft ploughed into the Atulyam hostel complex during lunchtime, reducing student residences and the dining area to rubble. Survivors recounted harrowing scenes of chaos — books, personal belongings, and lunch plates scattered in the debris. Among those killed were young MBBS students Jaiprakash Choudhary (Barmer, Rajasthan), Manav Bhadu (Shree Ganganagar, Rajasthan), Aaryan Rajput (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh), and Rakesh Diyora (Bhavnagar, Gujarat) — all in the early stages of their medical careers. In addition, five family members of doctors residing on campus also lost their lives. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Announcing the relief from Abu Dhabi, Dr Vayalil 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 Vayalil's relief package offers Dh 4.4 million to the families of each of the four deceased students, Dh880,000 for each of the five seriously injured students, and Dh880,000 to the families of doctors who lost loved ones. The financial aid will be distributed in partnership with the Junior Doctors' Association at BJ Medical College to ensure prompt support reaches those affected. '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. Dr Vayalil emphasised that this support is not just financial, it is also 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. They were future frontline heroes. Manav, Aaryan, Rakesh, and Jaiprakash were preparing to save lives, not lose their own. The AI171 crash took them from us. Pledging â�¹6 crore to support their families and others affected. #AirIndia171 #AI171 #BJMedicalCollege — Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil (@drshamsheervp) June 16, 2025 The Junior Doctors' Association (within the World Medical Association represents junior doctors globally) which has been closely involved in supporting the affected students and families, is coordinating with authorities to facilitate assistance. Dr Vayalil's team will also work alongside them to ensure the aid reaches those most in need in the coming days.
