Latest news with #Swaminarayan
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hundreds attend Rupani's condolence meeting
Rajkot: The city's mourning of its beloved leader, Vijay Rupani , continued on Tuesday. His condolence meeting was held at Racecourse Ground on Tuesday, where hundreds gathered to pay tribute. Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, was killed in the Ahmedabad aircraft crash last week. People from various sects and communities gathered to honour Rupani and comfort the grieving family — his wife, son and daughter. Priests of several sects, including Jain and Swaminarayan, gathered there as did leaders of various communities, including the Vohra and Punjabi communities. BJP workers from across the state, from Rajkot city and district, MLAs and others were in attendance. Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Jamnagar BJP MLA Rivaba Jadeja, cabinet minister Bhanu Babariya, former BJP MLA from Gondal Jayrajsinh Jadeja and senior BJP leader Vaju Vala were among those present, apart from local businessmen and industrialists. Rupani's last rites were completed on Monday. Before that, a 10-km tribute procession was held in the city, with thousands taking part.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Indian Express
19 identified through DNA tests: Minister
The identities of 19 of the 241 passengers who died on the AI 171 Dreamliner on June 12, were confirmed by matching DNA samples by Saturday afternoon, 48 hours after the crash. Of these, the body of Poornima Patel from Dakor in Kheda district was handed over to the family members and has been cremated. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said on X that until 9 pm Saturday, 19 DNA samples have been matched so far, confirming the identities of victims. 'State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) unit team and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) team are working through the night to match more DNA samples,' he said in the post. The samples which matched also include that of Kalpana Prajapati and Alysia Makwana, a British national from Vadodara. The other bodies identified are of passengers from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, the source said. 'Both bodies will be sent to Vadodara on Sunday morning for the last rites to be conducted by the families,' Hemang Joshi, Vadodara MP, told The Indian Express. To avoid chaos and distress to the next of kin, the Gujarat government has requested family members residing abroad to plan their arrival after sending their DNA report , a top source in the government told The Indian Express. 'We have requested the foreign nationals who have not yet arrived in Ahmedabad to send their DNA profile reports from wherever they are, as a reference sample, and we will then cross verify with the DNA profile of the sample extracted from the victim here and then they can come and collect the body, on a stipulated date. They will be given all the documents in a proper file for any future reference,' the source said. There are at least 21 samples expected to be taken from foreign nationals whose family members died in the AI 171 crash on June 12. Kheda District Collector Amit Prakash Yadav told The Indian Express, 'The mortal remains of Purnima Patel, one of the crash victims arrived in her hometown in Dakor in Kheda district on Saturday evening and the cremation was done with full rituals by the Swaminarayan community, which the family belongs to. The Gujarat government supported the community in arranging the final rites.' Patel was travelling to London to meet her son. Yadav said that relatives of one crash victim from Kheda, a Canadian national, Piyush Patel (29), are on their way to submit the DNA samples. Yadav said, 'Piyush Patel's Canada-based wife and 7-year-old daughter are arriving in India to submit the daughter's sample for identification of the body. An expert on DNA forensics and retired IPS officer Keshav Kumar said that in cases such as the Air India crash where bodies are severely charred, the DNA extracted from the molar tooth of the victim, is the best bet to match with the reference sample. Kumar, who is consultant to the Home and Political Affairs department of the Government of Assam, recalls Rajkot's TRP game zone fire on May 25 last year which left 27 dead. 'Some parents had come to us saying our child is missing and we had used the RapidHIT technology to match DNA within 90 minutes from reference samples and exhibits'.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Twin tragedies in 18 days: Two little girls lose mother to cancer, father to Ahmedabad crash
Kanchan Patoliya, 62, was on her way to Surat from Ahmedabad, where she had gone to see off her grieving son Arjun, 37, a British national who had come to Gujarat to immerse the ashes of his wife who died of cancer, when her nephew called and asked her to get down at Vadodara and wait for him. Only minutes ago, the family had learnt about the Air India Ahmedabad-London plane crash near the airport. Within hours, Kanchan was back in Ahmedabad, this time to give her DNA sample to identify the body of her dead son at the civil hospital. Arjun was flying back to London on June 12 to be with his daughters Riya, 8 and Kiya, 4. The two girls lost both her parents in a span of 18 days, said the grieving grandmother. 'I was in shock after learning about the death of my elder son in the plane crash. His wife, Bharti (35) died due to cancer on May 26. Now both his daughters have become orphans. Arjun had left both the girls at his younger brother Gopal's place before coming to India with the remains (ashes) of his wife, whose wish was to immerse them in the Narmada river,' said Kanchan. 'Either I or my younger son will now take care of Arjun's daughters,' an inconsolable Kanchan told The Indian Express. Arjun's younger brother Gopal has been married for eight years and is settled in London. The couple has no children. 'I gave my blood samples for a DNA test to identify the body of my son at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on June 12. Gopal arrived at Ahmedabad on Friday evening. Once we complete all the rituals, we will sit down and decide the future of both girls. If needed, I will fly to London to stay at my younger son's place and take care of my granddaughters,' said Kanchan. The Patoliyas hail from Wadiya village in Amreli district. They moved to Surat a long time ago. Kanchan's husband, Ramesh Patoliya, ran a garment shop and Arjun studied at a Gurukul school run by the Swaminarayan sect at Katargam. The family has their own house in Katargam and Wadiya. After the death of Ramesh Patoliya, Kanchan ran a shop to meet the family's financial needs. Arjun had been settled in London for 17 years and held British citizenship, running a furniture shop there. He got married to Bharti, who hailed from Kutch in Gujarat. Sources said that Gopal got married to a Patidar girl in Surat in 2017, and the couple moved to London in 2023. Kanchan would sometimes stay in Surat and sometimes at her house in Wadiya village. Arjun and Gopal were staying together in the same house in London and were running the same furniture business, said the sources. A relative of Kanchan told The Indian Express, 'We learnt about the plane crash through social media. My aunt's nephew, Nilkesh, called her and told to getdown at Vadodara as he knew that there would be a DNA test and Arjun's mother's samples would be required. Nilkesh reached Vadodara and took my aunt, Kanchanben, to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where she gave her blood samples and then returned to Wadiya village.' 'The DNA test has confirmed Arjun's death and we have started the preparations for his last rites. THere will be a family meeting to decide who will get the custody of the two daughters of Arjun. The eldest one, Riya, studies at a London school. We are all waiting for Arjun's body to be handed over to us,' said the relative.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Ahmedabad man avoids Air India crash by postponing travel, says God saved him from death
Pic credit- AP An Ahmedabad resident who had a confirmed seat on the ill-fated Air India flight to London said on Thursday that his last-minute decision to postpone travel by four days likely saved his life. 'I owe my life to Swaminarayan and thank the gods for saving me,' said Savjibhai Timbadia, speaking to a television news channel after learning about the crash, as quoted PTI. Timbadia, who is in his late 60s, revealed that the London-bound flight was originally booked by his son, who lives in the UK. 'My son, who stays in London, had earlier booked this flight. A seat number was also allotted to me, but I postponed my departure by four days,' he said. 'I did not realise that this decision would save my life. After the crash, my son called me up from London and told me that my good deeds in this life saved me,' Timbadia added. The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off on Thursday morning. Nearly all onboard were killed in the incident, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul, commences academic session in Dabhoi
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed Swaminarayan Gurukul in Dabhoi, Vadodara district, and formally commenced the academic session. The event was graced by the presence of saints, spiritual leaders, and distinguished dignitaries, according to the release. He said that 'In the Indian education system along with knowledge, values are also essential.' He further explained that in the ancient Gurukul tradition, princes received education and initiation from revered sages. Lord Rama was educated by sages Vashishta and Vishwamitra, while Lord Shri Krishna acquired knowledge from Rishi Sandipani. This very Gurukul tradition is now being revitalised through modern methods, thereby honouring and preserving our ancient heritage. The Chief Minister stated that institutions like these are, in contemporary times, blending the Gurukul tradition with modern advancements to offer students not only academic knowledge but also value-based and culturally grounded training essential for holistic development. The establishment of a modern hostel alongside a technologically equipped school campus marks the beginning of a new era in education. He expressed firm belief that this Gurukul by the Swaminarayan institution will nurture a generation poised for a bright future founded on patriotism, values, and spirituality. He mentioned that under the New Education Policy, which advances the legacy of ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, the Prime Minister has established sector-specific universities. For the first time, an education system rooted in Indian tradition and based on the mother tongue has been implemented. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, the state government is bringing quality improvements in schools through the Gunotsav campaign. CM Patel emphasised that special attention has been given to the education of girls through initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav. Chief Minister stated that through the Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Yojana, students are being encouraged to opt for science streams. 'Within just one year, there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of students enrolling in the science stream. Through Mission School of Excellence and Vidya Samiksha Kendra, both standards and quality of education have progressed,' he said. The Prime Minister has resolved to establish India not just as a developing nation but as Viksit Bharat by 2047. Chief Minister urged that to realize this resolution, we must all contribute to shaping an 'Amrit Generation' that is educated, value-oriented, and determined. The CM mentioned that institutions like Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul play a vital role in supporting environmental initiatives led by the Prime Minister, including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Catch the Rain, and No Usage of Single Use Plastic. Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who displayed exceptional valour in protecting Bharat Mata for the unforgettable success of Operation Sindoor, the Chief Minister said that this operation has given a new direction to India's fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister has set such an example of national defence that it will inspire future generations to serve the nation. MLA Shailesh Mehta stated that, considering the cultural ethos of Darbhavati Nagari, the establishment of a Gurukul imparting value-based education had become a vital necessity. Under the leadership of the institution's directors--K P Swami, Nautam Swami, and Bapu Swami--this Gurukul has not merely been inaugurated today, but has marked the beginning of a new chapter in shaping the future of Darbhavati Nagari. 'The Chief Minister has shown special affection for Darbhavati by providing unique grants and developmental schemes, and therefore, I proudly say today that the Chief Minister's contribution to Darbhavati's development is invaluable. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for that,' Mehta said. Jitubhai Vaghani, MLA Bhavnagar, stated that generally, when any educational institution is managed by commercial entities, it often operates with a profit-oriented approach. However, when such institutions are managed by saints, they are guided by a spirit of service and are enriched with cultural and moral values -- a truth that society has experienced firsthand. Swaminarayan Gurukul is not just an educational institution; it is an abode of values. Such institutions, equipped with modern technology and rooted in values, contribute not only to teaching but also to showing students how to live. The real success of a Gurukul is when students feel drawn to attend, to study, and are shaped with Indianness, ethics, and patriotism alongside their education, the release said. Nautam Swami presented an outline of Swaminarayan Gurukul's activities. (ANI)
