Latest news with #RanjithaGopakumar
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Salalah mourns former long-time resident Ranjitha Gopakumar, victim of Ahmedabad plane crash
MUSCAT: A deep sense of sorrow has gripped Salalah's Indian community as residents mourn the loss of Ranjitha Gopakumar, a former long-time resident of the city who was among the 241 victims killed in Thursday's tragic crash of a London-bound Air India Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Ranjitha, a 38-year-old nurse from Kerala, had lived and worked in Salalah for nearly a decade before moving to the UK in search of better prospects. She had returned to India recently to complete formalities for renewing her job at a government hospital in Pathanamthitta, her hometown in Kerala. Dr Sandeep Ojha, General Secretary of the Indian Social Club (ISC) in Salalah, expressed the community's shock and grief. Speaking to Times of Oman, he said: "Ranjitha Gopakumar worked in Sultan Qaboos Hospital for around nine years and left Salalah about two years ago. At that time, her mother and two children were staying here with her. The children studied in Indian School Salalah. It is very tragic. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and to all families who lost their near and dear ones in the terrible tragedy in Ahmedabad on Thursday.' He added, 'There were quite a few families who remembered her as a soft-spoken and helpful lady. We are all devastated by the accident and mourn the loss of a long-time resident.' After relocating to the UK, Ranjitha had continued her career in nursing. According to media reports, she was in the process of collecting her release certificate from her hospital in the UK and had plans to settle back in Pathanamthitta with her two young children, who are currently with her mother. On the day of the crash, she was on a connecting journey from Chennai to Ahmedabad, intending to fly onward to London. Her dream of reuniting with her children in a new home she was building now lies shattered. The tragedy has not only left her family and friends in Kerala in mourning, but also touched many in Salalah who remember her warmth and dedication as a healthcare worker and community member. The crash has claimed the lives of 241 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Tributes have poured in from across the world, including from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who posted on X: 'We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words... Om Shanti.' Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who hails from Kerala, also shared his condolences on X (formerly known as Twitter), paying tribute to Ranjitha as one of the victims from Kozhencherry.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Kerala Nurse's Dream Of Better Life Ends In Air India Plane Crash
Pathanamthitta (Kerala): More heartbreaking stories are emerging a day after a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing 241 people on board. One among the killed is Ranjitha Gopakumar, a 38-year-old nurse from Kerala. Ranjitha had come back to India to complete formalities to renew her job at a government hospital in Pathanamthitta, her hometown. She had taken the first available ticket to return abroad, boarding the flight from Chennai to Ahmedabad. It was a connecting journey back to the UK. On the day of the crash, Ranjitha was on her way back to the UK to collect her release certificate from the UK hospital and to settle at Pathanamthitta with her two children, who are with her mother. There's a pal of gloom at Pathanamthitta as friends and families gather, hearing about the tragedy. Before moving to the UK Ranjitha had also worked in Oman. She was also building a new home hoping to move in with family. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former union minister wrote in X, "Tributes to Ranjitha R. Nair from Kozhencherry, who lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash." There were 169 Indian nationals, fifty-three British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national among the passengers inside the plane. Prime Minister Modi shared his condolences in X: "We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti."
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Kerala Healthcare Worker's Homecoming Dreams Shattered In Fatal Ahmedabad Air Disaster
Ranjitha Gopakumar, a 39-year-old healthcare professional from Thiruvalla in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, tragically lost her life in the devastating Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday. She was among the 241 passengers and crew members who perished when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The mother of two had been working as a nurse in the United Kingdom and had returned to India merely four days before the fatal flight. Her homecoming was part of a carefully planned transition to permanently relocate back to her homeland and reunite with her family. Ranjitha had harbored ambitious plans to abandon her overseas career and resume her government service position in Kerala's healthcare system. She had originally taken leave from the Kerala government health service to pursue enhanced career opportunities abroad, having previously worked in Salalah, Oman, before relocating to the United Kingdom. Her primary motivation for returning centered on creating a more secure and stable environment for her loved ones. She was actively involved in finalizing construction of a new family residence and planned to bring her children and elderly mother into this improved living situation. The tragic loss has devastated Ranjitha's immediate family, including her mother Thulassykuttiyamma, her 15-year-old son Indhuchoodan who is currently in Class 10, and her 12-year-old daughter Ithika, a Class 7 student. She also leaves behind two brothers who are now mourning their sister's untimely death. On the day of the accident, Ranjitha had traveled from Chennai to Ahmedabad via connecting flight, intending to continue her journey to the United Kingdom to collect her employment release documentation before making her permanent return to India. A family member close to Ranjitha reflected on her final departure, noting her optimistic state of mind and numerous future plans. "She departed with happiness and hope. There were countless plans and so many dreams," the relative shared, highlighting the profound loss felt by those who knew her. The news of the aviation disaster has sent shockwaves through Ranjitha's hometown community. Neighbors, friends, and extended family members have gathered at the family residence to offer their condolences and provide silent support during this difficult period. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was bound for London, crashed directly into a medical college hostel building within moments of takeoff on Thursday. The impact triggered a massive fire, creating what aviation experts are calling one of the most catastrophic air disasters in recent history. Official reports confirm that at least 265 individuals lost their lives in this tragedy, making it a devastating blow to families across multiple countries and communities.
India Today
3 days ago
- General
- India Today
Kerala nurse's dream of new home, life back in India ends with Gujarat air crash
A 39-year-old nurse, Ranjitha Gopakumar, from Thiruvalla in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, was among the 241 passengers and crew killed in a catastrophic plane crash in Ahmedabad on a mother of two, was working as a nurse in the United Kingdom and had returned to India just four days earlier. According to sources close to her, she had hoped to complete formalities related to her government job here, and resume service in was planning to quit her job in the UK and rejoin the service in India. Having briefly worked in Salalah, Oman, before moving to the United Kingdom, Ranjitha had taken leave from the Kerala government health service to pursue better opportunities overseas. Her return to India was filled with purpose: she intended to finalise the construction of a new house and bring her children and elderly mother into a safer, more stable life. Ranjitha is survived by her mother, Thulassykuttiyamma, and her children: 15-year-old Indhuchoodan, a Class 10 student, and 12-year-old Ithika, who is in Class 7. She also leaves behind two her Ahmedabad-London flight on Thursday, Ranjitha had boarded a connecting flight from Chennai to Ahmedabad, intending to continue her journey to the UK to collect her release was happy and hopeful when she left,' said a close relative. 'There were so many plans. So many dreams,' he of the airplane crash sent waves of grief through Ranjitha's native town, with neighbours, friends and relatives gathered at the family home, offering condolences and sitting in silence with the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, bound for London, ploughed straight into a medical college hostel moments after take-off on Thursday, sparking a massive blaze, in what is being called one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent least 265 people were confirmed killed in this tragedy.
