Will Air India’s Tribute to Its Lost Cabin Crew Be Remembered?

New Delhi, June 20 (NationPress) Air India has paid a poignant tribute to the ten cabin crew members who tragically lost their lives in the devastating crash of flight AI-171.

The heartfelt message, shared by the airline on Friday, acknowledges the grace, warmth, and dedication of these late crew members, referring to them as not merely colleagues but family and the "heart of every journey".

“With heavy hearts, we remember the cabin crew members we lost – beloved colleagues, dear friends, and the heart of every journey they undertook. Their grace, warmth, and unwavering care touched thousands of lives both in the air and on the ground... You flew with compassion. Your memories will be cherished forever,” Air India posted on X.

The tribute includes the names of the crew members who perished in the incident: Aparna Amol Mahadik, Shradha Mahadev Dhavan, Deepak Balasaheb Pathak, Irfan Samir Shaikh, Lamnunthem Singson, Maithili Patil, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, Saineeta Abin Chakravarti, Manisha Thapa, and Roshni Rajendra Songhare.

On June 17, Air India also honored the pilot of the ill-fated flight, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, during a poignant farewell ceremony. "With profound sorrow, we bid farewell to Captain Sabharwal - an outstanding aviator, a devoted professional, and a cherished member of the Air India family. His steadfast dedication to the skies and his quiet strength on the ground earned him immense respect throughout the aviation community... His legacy will inspire us, and he will always be remembered in the heart of Air India. Rest in peace, Captain. You will be dearly missed."

Air India further honored pilot Clive Kunder, whose funeral was held in Mumbai on Thursday. The airline described Kunder as "a promising young aviator, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family. His quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him the admiration of all who had the privilege to work alongside him."

Senior leadership from the Tata Group and Air India are actively supporting the families of the deceased, providing condolences, financial assistance, and ongoing presence during this painful time.

The tragedy occurred when Air India flight AI-171, bound from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad.

As of Thursday, Gujarat’s Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Rushikesh Patel, reported that 210 DNA samples had been successfully identified.

The identification task is being managed collaboratively by teams from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University.

In response to this tragedy, the Tata Group, which successfully re-acquired Air India in 2022, has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for each family of the deceased. An interim payment of Rs 25 lakh per family, as well as to the sole survivor, has already been distributed to address immediate needs.

Additionally, the Tata Group has pledged to cover all medical expenses for the injured and has committed to supporting the reconstruction of a damaged hostel at BJ Medical College. Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran referred to the incident as “one of the darkest days in the Tata Group’s history.”