The sky that day seemingly carried the promise of a fresh start. Instead, it delivered a tragedy that Gujarat will never recover from. Many families are still not unable to reconcile themselves with the loss of their dear ones who succumbed to the AI 171 plane crash.
Six months have passed, but the scale of that devastation is too fresh to warrant retelling. Some lost mothers, fathers, and young children.
A new report by a national daily reveals how smiles have been wiped out from many lives. Some were forced to abandon years of work and dreams abroad after losing primary visa holders or earners. One family returned after losing a mother who cared for a mentally ill sibling. Another was left widowed with a newborn after losing both husband and child.
Several more had to leave the UK due to financial strain and immigration hurdles. Across the state, grief, broken aspirations, and the fight to survive now define life for those left behind.
At least 10 families from the state have returned from the UK. Many face loss of income, immigration issues, and overwhelming grief. The crash killed 241 passengers on board and 19 people on the ground.
One man lost his mother, who had been travelling alone for the first time. He said she had helped his mentally ill younger sister while on video calls at the airport. He said memories of that day were still painfully fresh. He has moved permanently to his hometown with his wife and young son, leaving seven years of life in the UK.
His wife, formerly a health worker, had opened a clinic. He, a clinical research scientist, is between jobs. He said he had been months away from receiving indefinite residency in the UK, but the crash changed everything.
An aviation lawyer representing over 130 affected families said a troubling pattern had emerged. Families who moved abroad for better opportunities are now returning due to financial strain. He described a family whose father was the primary earner. After his death, the family moved to a cheaper area, and the children dropped out of school. He said the loss had fundamentally shifted their life trajectory.
Another woman lost her husband and four-year-old daughter. She said she had migrated to the UK two years earlier for better prospects for her children. She said all their dreams had been lost, and changing immigration rules made it impossible for her to return. She is now five months pregnant and living with relatives in her hometown.
A man who lost his wife and three-year-old son said he had nobody left abroad. He said he had emigrated to build a better life, but the crash destroyed his world. He admitted he had not found the mental strength to resume work.
Another man lost his wife, the primary visa holder, and his daughter. A friend said he returned home because living abroad was too painful. But he faces an immigration deadline and must secure qualifying employment to remain in the UK. The friend said they were making representations at all levels to give him a chance to stay.
The legal team also noted a case of a man who returned home after losing his wife, the primary visa holder, who had a personal loan for their life abroad. Officials said the bank had assured a quick resolution.
Families who built lives abroad are now starting over in their home state. They carry the weight of loss while struggling to rebuild. Six months after the crash, the hardest chapters for these families are still unfolding.
Also Read: Air India Crash Aftermath: DNA Profiles, Role Of Grief Counsellors Crucial, Says Expert https://www.vibesofindia.com/air-india-crash-aftermath-dna-profiles-role-of-grief-counsellors-crucial-says-expert/
