Tragic end to Maharashtra business family's long-cherished Char Dham yatra as chopper crashes in Uttarakhand
Three members of a business family from Vani town in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district were among the seven people killed when a helicopter ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand Sunday morning. The Bell 407 chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, crashed minutes after taking off from Kedarnath on its return leg to Guptkashi. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/helicopter-crash-uttarakhand-kedarnath-gaurikund-10067496/)
Rajkumar Jaiswal, 41, his wife, Shraddha Jaiswal, 35, and their two-year-old daughter, Kashi, were on a Char Dham pilgrimage that they began on June 12, fulfilling a long-standing religious vow. Their six-year-old son, Vivaan, however, survived only because he had stayed back in Pandharkawda in Maharashtra with his grandparents.
Locals described the Jaiswals as a 'devout and deeply spiritual family,' known for their involvement in both religious and social life in Vani, while also running a successful business.
In Vani, news of the Jaiswal family's death sparked deep mourning. Rajkumar Jaiswal, described as 'soft-spoken and devout,' had long wished to undertake the Char Dham yatra with his family, according to locals.
Last year, the couple hosted a Shiv Mahapuran Katha to mark daughter Kashi's naming ceremony, a well-attended event led by spiritual preacher Pradeep Mishra. Village residents say the Jaiswal family lived a life rooted in faith, and now, the survival of their son is the only solace.
The family also ran a successful retail business and was active in community affairs. Authorities are arranging to bring the bodies back for last rites in Pandharkawda.
The other four killed in the chopper crash were identified as Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan from Jaipur (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-chopper-crash-pilot-indian-army-veteran-10067487/?ref=hometop_hp), who was the pilot, Vikram Rawat from Ukhimath in Uttarakhand, Vinod Devi and Trishti Singh from Uttar Pradesh.
According to a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) press release, the Bell 407 helicopter (VT-BKA) took off from Guptkashi at 5.10 am, landed at Kedarnath at 5.18 am, and departed again at 5.19 am. It crashed shortly after, near the forested slopes of Gaurikund. All five adult passengers, one infant, and the pilot were killed.
'As a precautionary measure, DGCA has already reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to Char Dham, is carrying out enhanced surveillance, and reviewing operations for any further action,' the aviation regulator said.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a formal probe. Rescue teams from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed immediately but found no survivors.
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