New Delhi: UAE-based healthcare entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Shamsheer Vayalil’s pledge of Rs 6 crore in financial aid has begun to reach those affected due to the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad. The first distribution of this aid took place at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
The atmosphere at BJ Medical College was heavy with grief as students returned to classes following the tragedy. However, the solemn mood was briefly lifted during a private ceremony in the Dean’s chamber where Vayalil’s generous donation was formally distributed.
“The dreams your loved ones had were shared dreams of all of us who consider medical service as our life. Please know that you are not alone. The entire medical community stands with you,” Shamsheer wrote in a personal letter.
This aid, announced shortly after the crash, was personally delivered by representatives of VPS Health from Abu Dhabi to the families of the deceased and injured.
The families of the four deceased medical students, Aryan Rajput, Manav Bhadu, Jayprakash Choudhary, and Rakesh Gobarbhai Diyora, each received Rs 1 crore. The families of six additional deceased, including relatives of Dr. Pradip Solanki and Dr. Nilkanth Suthar, each received Rs 25 lakh.
The gesture wasn’t limited to the families of the deceased. Recognising the significant medical expenses faced by the injured, Dr. Vayalil’s initiative also provided financial support to fourteen seriously injured individuals, each receiving ₹3.5 lakh. These individuals, including both medical students and residents, suffered injuries ranging from burns and fractures to internal trauma requiring extended hospitalisation. The list also includes faculty members and their families affected by the tragedy.
The distribution of aid coincided with the reopening of the college. College Dean Dr Meenakshi Parikh noted the “irreplaceable loss” and remarked on the unifying effect of this generous act, highlighting the strength and solidarity within the medical community. “We are still trying to come to terms with this irreplaceable loss. These small steps of unity in such times remind us that the medical community stands together even in times of grief,” she said.
The event concluded with a special prayer meeting, a shared moment of remembrance for those lost and a testament to the enduring human spirit amid profound sorrow.
