Latest news with #AirIndia-171
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'He video-called me, I couldn't call back': Daughter of man who died in Ahmedabad plane crash
The family of British national Ramesh Patel, who died in the Air India-171 plane crash, reached Ahmedabad. The family members remembered him and expressed fear about boarding an Air India flight in future. Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Patel's daughter Priti Pandya said, "He (her father) came here for nine days. He just came here to eat did not come back home. This was the first trip I spoke to him 3-4 times a week, but when he video-called on Tuesday, I was working, and I thought I would call him back, and I never was able to. My sister-in-law spoke to him when he boarded the plane." "He comes every year to India. He loves India. He has got a house in Gujarat... He loves this country, and he died was meant to be," she added. Daughter-in-law Kajal Patel told ANI, "Thursday morning, he rang me and said 'Everything is okay, the weight is okay' and I said, 'That's fine, Dad, don't worry'. He said that he won't ring me again, but then he rang me again and said 'I am in the plane safely and it's on time' and I said 'Okay, see you in the evening'...I asked him not to go as it's too hot in India, but he kept saying he wants to go." Priti Pandya expressed fear of boarding an Air India flight. She said, "While coming to Ahmedabad, Air India was an option, but I don't think I can ever board an Air India flight in my life." On the compensation announced by the TATA Group, they said, "We will give money, can they bring back our father?" Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12 crashed moments after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 people onboard. Meanwhile, the government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee for examining the causes that led to the crash of the flight. "A High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future," an order issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry read. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, ATC Log and witness testimonies and will publish its report within three months. The committee is headed by the Home Secretary and includes representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Indian Air Force, and aviation experts. The committee will assess the emergency response of the various stakeholders, including rescue operations and coordination among them. It will also suggest policy changes, operational improvements and training enhancements required to prevent such occurrences and handle post-crash incident situations.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Will never forget him': Markets in Gujarat's Rajkot closed for half day in memory of ex-CM Vijay Rupani
Markets in Rajkot remained closed for half a day on Saturday as a mark of respect to former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who tragically lost his life in the Air India Flight AI 171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12. The city observed the shutdown till noon, with traders and local residents paying homage to the veteran leader, who was deeply associated with the development and transformation of Rajkot. Several shops in the city voluntarily pulled down their shutters. Follow Ahmedabad plane crash live updates A resident, Navneet, paying homage to Vijay Rupani, stated that Rajkot will never forget him. He admired the BJP leader for bringing and completing several developmental projects in the city. Speaking to ANI, he said, "This is such an accident that the people of Rajkot will never forget. Vijay Rupani loved Rajkot immensely, always meeting the people and bonding with them. He worked closely with his office and the government to provide essential facilities, like the Rajkot Airport, hospitals, overbridges, and water resources. His love for Rajkot led to these developments, ensuring Rajkot always cherishes him. Rajkot will never forget him..." Rupani, who served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, was also an MLA from Rajkot West and had deep political roots in the Saurashtra region. Earlier today, former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela visited the residence of BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and expressed condolences on his demise. Vaghela expressed shock over Rupani's demise, stating that he could not believe this news initially. He further wished for the peace of the departed soul. "At first, I did not believe it. Then I heard that he was taken to the hospital. Even then, I had hope that he would survive. Then, when we heard he was no more, we paid our condolences... I hope his soul rests in peace and his family gets the strength to bear this loss," Vaghela said. Vijay Rupani was one of the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on June 12. Vijay Rupani was a two-time Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. Rupani was also appointed the BJP's in-charge for Punjab. On June 12, the Air India-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash.
India Gazette
8 hours ago
- General
- India Gazette
"Don't think I can ever board an Air India flight in my life": Daughter of Ramesh Patel, who died in AI-171 plane crash
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 14 (ANI): The family of British national Ramesh Patel, who died in the Air India-171 plane crash, reached Ahmedabad. The family members remembered him and expressed fear about boarding an Air India flight in future. Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Patel's daughter Priti Pandya said, 'He (her father) came here for nine days. He just came here to eat did not come back home. This was the first trip I spoke to him 3-4 times a week, but when he video-called on Tuesday, I was working, and I thought I would call him back, and I never was able to. My sister-in-law spoke to him when he boarded the plane.' 'He comes every year to India. He loves India. He has got a house in Gujarat... He loves this country, and he died was meant to be,' she added. Daughter-in-law Kajal Patel told ANI, 'Thursday morning, he rang me and said 'Everything is okay, the weight is okay' and I said, 'That's fine, Dad, don't worry'. He said that he won't ring me again, but then he rang me again and said 'I am in the plane safely and it's on time' and I said 'Okay, see you in the evening'...I asked him not to go as it's too hot in India, but he kept saying he wants to go.' Priti Pandya expressed fear of boarding an Air India flight. She said, 'While coming to Ahmedabad, Air India was an option, but I don't think I can ever board an Air India flight in my life.' On the compensation announced by the TATA Group, they said, 'We will give money, can they bring back our father?' Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12 crashed moments after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 people onboard. Meanwhile, the government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee for examining the causes that led to the crash of the flight. 'A High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future,' an order issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry read. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, ATC Log and witness testimonies and will publish its report within three months. The committee is headed by the Home Secretary and includes representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Indian Air Force, and aviation experts. The committee will assess the emergency response of the various stakeholders, including rescue operations and coordination among them. It will also suggest policy changes, operational improvements and training enhancements required to prevent such occurrences and handle post-crash incident situations. (ANI)
India Gazette
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Hope his soul rests in peace": Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela condoles Vijay Rupani's demise
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 14 (ANI): Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela on Saturday visited the residence of BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and expressed condolences on his demise. Speaking to ANI, Vaghela expressed shock over Rupani's demise, stating that he could not believe this news initially. He further wished for the peace of the departed soul. 'At first, I did not believe it. Then I heard that he was taken to the hospital. Even then, I had hope that he would survive. Then, when we heard he was no more, we paid our condolences... I hope his soul rests in peace and his family gets the strength to bear this loss,' Vaghela said. Earlier today, television actor Bhavya Gandhi visited Vijay Rupani's residence to pay obeisance to him. On Saturday morning, his son Rushab Rupani arrived at his father's residence in Gandhinagar. Vijay Rupani was one of the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on June 12. Vijay Rupani was a two-time Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. Rupani was also appointed the BJP's in-charge for Punjab. On June 12, the Air India-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Vijay Rupani, calling his death 'hard to believe.' In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, 'I worked for a long time in the organisation with former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani ji. Whether it was strengthening the organisation as the state president or keeping Gujarat's development journey moving as the Chief Minister, Vijaybhai fulfilled every responsibility with full responsibility. It is difficult to believe that he is no longer amongst us.' Shah remembered Rupani as a dedicated leader who always worked with discipline and commitment toward the growth of the party and the state. Shah, who worked closely with Rupani during this period, highlighted his disciplined work ethic and loyalty to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 'Calm and thoughtful by nature, Rupani ji's loyalty and discipline towards the organisation were amazing,' Shah said in his tribute. Amit Shah also shared a personal memory from his last meeting with Rupani. 'I met him a few days ago and had a detailed discussion on various topics related to the organisation in Punjab,' he wrote. Shah expressed his condolences to the family, saying, 'I spoke to his wife, Mrs. Anjali Rupani ji and expressed my deepest condolences. The entire BJP family stands with them in this hour of grief. May God give a place to the departed soul in his lotus feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.' (ANI)
Canada Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
"Still feels as if he is with us": Vijay Rupani's untimely demise leaves neighbours devastated
Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], June 13 (ANI): The untimely demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the Air India-171 plane crash has left his family, friends, and neighbours devastated. Speaking to ANI, one of his neighbours, Kiranbe, with a wrenched heart, stated that it still feels as if he is present with them. She could not believe she had lost her neighbour Rupani. '...I still feel as if he is with us. I have not been able to say anything since yesterday. His memories will stay with us used to celebrate all the festivals believe this has happened,' she said. For Rupani's neighbour and family doctor, Dr Nayan Shah, it is hard to believe what has happened, but it would be the memories which he will cherish forever. Shah stated, 'We have been neighbours for 35 years. His memories will always stay with us. Be it good or bad times, we stayed used to celebrate all the festivals is very difficult to believe, but we have to stay with his memories.' Rupani, who was serving as in-charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), lost his live in the aircraft crash incident. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. PM Modi went to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the lone survivor of AI 171 plane crash and those injured in the mishap. (ANI)
