On June 12, 2025, a tragedy of unimaginable scale struck the city of Ahmedabad. What should have been a normal international flight became India’s worst aviation accident in recent history. The London-bound Air India Dreamliner plane crashed minutes after takeoff, claiming the lives of 269 people, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
As the flames died down and smoke cleared from the Civil Hospital campus, a stunned nation was left looking for answers – and mourning the loss of one of its quietest and least talked-about political figures.
It was a day of travel, not tears
Vijay Rupani boarded an Air India flight AI-171 like a normal passenger. According to his close aides, he was on his way to London to visit his daughter, a quiet personal trip. Those who saw him at the airport that morning said he looked calm, even smiling as he entered the business class lounge. But fate had other plans.
Just nine minutes after take-off, the plane changed course and slammed into the bustling BJ Medical College campus in Meghani Nagar. The accident destroyed a hostel, a cafeteria, and a part of the medical wing, killing not just the passengers but also doctors, nurses, and students on the ground.
The end of a gentle political journey
For those who knew him, Vijay Rupani’s death seems particularly cruel. This was a leader who rarely raised his voice, bringing a sense of order and calm during a time of rapid political change. Rupani, who rose from a modest background in Rajkot, began his career with student activism during the Emergency. He had to spend nearly a year in jail – an experience that further strengthened his resolve but never diminished his compassion.
He went on to serve as the mayor of Rajkot, a Rajya Sabha MP, and eventually the 16th chief minister of Gujarat. Even when he stepped down in 2021, it was not due to scandal or political pressure, but a voluntary decision to make way for a younger generation of leadership.
His calm demeanour and focus on development over drama earned him both respect and criticism in equal measure. But after his sudden demise, it is clear that India has lost a statesman whose voice, however soft, carried weight.
A dark day in aviation history
The accident is being called the worst after the Kozhikode tragedy in 2020. It is also the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner – considered one of the safest models – in global aviation history.
Initial reports indicate mechanical failure. The landing gear reportedly did not retract, and flap problems may have caused drag and loss of control. A frightening “Mayday” call was recorded shortly before impact. The investigation is ongoing, now that black box data has been recovered. Boeing, GE Aerospace, and India’s aviation authorities are jointly leading the investigation.
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Only one of the 242 passengers – a British national seated near the emergency exit – survived. The rest, including more than two dozen people on the ground, were not so lucky.
Grief, memories, and void
Outside the civil hospital, crowds gathered in stunned silence. Families are still identifying the dead, many through DNA testing. Hospitals are overwhelmed not just with the dead but also with the mourners.
Tributes have poured in from across political circles. Prime Minister Modi called Rupani’s death a “personal loss”. Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil said, “He was the glue that held the party together in turbulent times.”
But the real tribute lies in the silent tears of ordinary citizens, who remember Rupani as the CM who brought clean water to their village, or who once stopped a convoy to help a roadside fruit seller.
The skies may fill, but wounds will take time to heal
India is no stranger to grief. But tragedies like these leave scars that go far deeper than any political division or territorial boundary. In the rubble, we lost not just lives but legacies, hopes, and untold stories.
As the investigation continues and the nation mourns, we are reminded how fragile life is. For Vijay Rupani and the 268 others who lost their lives that day, we can find solace not just in justice but also in memories.
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