Can Tata Sons Provide Support for Medical Students Affected by the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?

Ahmedabad, June 14 (NationPress) Following the devastating Air India plane crash that claimed the lives of 241 individuals, including numerous young medical students, the Gujarat chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a heartfelt request to N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, for enhanced support for the B.J. Medical College students who were either injured or lost in this calamity.

The incident, which transpired just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, impacted a hostel accommodating MBBS students when the aircraft collided with the Atulyam building in the Meghaninagar area.

As the nation grapples with the enormity of this disaster, the IMA has taken proactive measures to ensure that these aspiring physicians -- many being in their first and second years -- are not overlooked in ongoing relief initiatives. In their correspondence addressed to Tata Sons, the IMA emphasized: “These students were not merely victims of the tragedy, but the cornerstone of our future healthcare landscape. Their families warrant the same level of respect, compensation, and assistance as any other passenger affected by this unfortunate event.”

The IMA also expressed gratitude towards the Tata Group for its swift announcement of Rs 1 crore in compensation for the families of the deceased passengers, along with a commitment to finance medical treatment for the injured.

Nevertheless, they urged the conglomerate to broaden this support specifically to the families of the medical students impacted, many of whom were taken by surprise while simply resting or dining in their hostel mess when the aircraft struck the building.

The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has affirmed that it will allocate Rs 1 crore to the families of all deceased passengers.

Furthermore, the group will cover the complete medical expenses for those injured and has pledged to assist in the reconstruction of the damaged hostel facilities at B.J. Medical College.

A representative from the Tata Group remarked: “We stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected. The loss of these young, aspiring doctors is particularly tragic.”

The tragedy has profoundly impacted the medical community throughout the state. Parents of several students, many of whom were just months away from graduation, are heartbroken.

Over 200 students who survived the incident have returned home due to trauma, and internal examinations for over 500 students have been postponed.