Ahmedabad plane crash: Smriti Irani mourns the demise of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani; writes ‘He was family to many of us'
The tragic Ahmedabad plane crash has left the entire nation in shock, claiming the life of Gujarat's former Chief Minister
Vijay Rupani
. Among the many who paid emotional tributes was actress and politician Smriti Irani, who shared a deeply heartfelt note on social media, mourning his untimely demise.
In her post, Smriti Irani wrote, 'There are moments when words fail to carry the weight of loss—and today is one such moment. The passing of Vijay Bhai is not just a personal sorrow, but a deep wound in the collective heart of those who walked with him, learned from him, and were embraced by his quiet strength.'
Remembering his kindness and humility, Irani added, 'Forever kind, always indulgent, he was more than a leader—he was family to many of us.
In every interaction, he extended warmth and dignity, never drawing lines between position and people. As a karyakarta, I was among the many he treated with affection and trust, offering guidance not as an authority, but as an elder who cared.'
Vijay Rupani, who served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021, was known for his calm leadership and commitment to public service. Smriti Irani emphasized that beyond his political achievements, it was his humanity that truly defined him.
'His ability to make everyone feel seen, respected, and valued will always remain with me,' she wrote.
As the nation grieves this heartbreaking loss, Irani concluded her tribute with a message that echoed the sentiments of many, 'In mourning Vijay Bhai, we honour a life lived in service, anchored in values, and lit with quiet compassion. Om Shanti.'
In a tragic accident, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST on June 12. The crash occurred in the Meghaninagar area, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives. Onboard were 242 individuals, including passengers and crew. Air India reported that among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities investigate the cause.
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Time of India
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