Heartbroken but determined, the family of Rakesh Gobarbhai Diyora, student at BJ Medical College, who was among the on-ground casualties of the Air India plane crash, is set on fulfilling his dreams in whatever form they can.
Diyora, a native of Bhavnagar district’s Sosiya village, who belonged to a family of farmers, was a second-year MBBS student at the BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
After receiving a Rs 1 crore support fund from UAE-based healthcare entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, the family plans to build a children’s park in Sosiya village in Rakesh’s memory. Rakesh, who aspired to become a pediatric heart surgeon, was fond of children, according to his family members.
The financial aid was formally handed over to Diyora’s kin along with other families on Tuesday.
“He was the first from our community to make it to a medical college. He loved children and wanted to become a pediatric heart surgeon. This financial support means a lot to our family but we want to make a children’s park near our farm in Bhavnagar in his memory,” Vipul, the eldest of seven siblings, told The Indian Express.
Rakesh was very bright since early childhood and wanted to become a doctor so that he could work for children, said Vipul, 33, who himself is a farmer.
Rakesh, the youngest among seven siblings — five sisters and two brothers — completed his primary education from the village government primary school. Of five sisters, three are married. The AI 171 crash claimed 241 lives, killing at least 19 on the ground, taking the toll to 260. The DNA sample of one person, a man who was on board, remains to be matched.
‘Was family’s support system’
Calling his son Aryan as the family’s support system, Madhya Pradesh-based Ramhet Singh Rajput says the family is yet to come to terms with the loss.
Aryan, a first-year MBBS student from Gwalior, was among the on-ground casualties when the London-bound Air India plane plunged into the medical college complex moments after take off, in Ahmedabad.
“Aryan hi pure ghar ka sahara tha. Sabki asha us par thi ki ek kisan ka bachha doctor banega (Aryan was the support system of the whole family. Everyone hoped that a farmer’s child would become a doctor),” Ramhet told this paper.
BJ Medical College reopened Tuesday, almost 13 days after the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash, even as students and the staff returned with a heavy heart.
The first to receive support from Dr Shamsheer Vayalil on Tuesday were the families of the four young medical students who lost their lives in the crash. Each family was handed a cheque of Rs 1 crore. The other two families were of Manav Bhadu from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and Jayprakash Choudhary from Barmer in Rajasthan.
Representatives from VPS Health, multinational healthcare group, from Abu Dhabi delivered the cheques in the office of Dr Minakshi Parikh, Dean of BJ Medical College, in the presence of Dr Rakesh S Joshi, Superintendent of the Hospital, and representatives of Junior Doctors Association.
In addition to these families, the kin of six other deceased also received support. Among them were Dr Pradip Solanki, a neurosurgery resident, who lost his wife and brother-in-law; Dr Nilkanth Suthar, a surgical oncology resident, who lost three family members, and Dr Yogesh Hadat, a BPT student, who lost his brother. A financial aid of Rs 25 lakh each was given to the kin of the deceased. Further, based on a proposal from the Junior Doctors’ Association in consultation with the Dean, 14 people, who were seriously injured during the crash, were also identified for financial support. They required hospitalisation for five or more days due to injuries such as burns, fractures, or internal trauma. Each received Rs 3.5 lakh. “The beneficiaries included first and second-year MBBS students recovering from head, neck, and limb trauma. The list also included medical residents like Dr Kelvin Gameti and Dr Pratham Kolcha, who suffered extensive burns, and relatives of faculty members like Manishaben and her eight-month-old son, whose recoveries are ongoing,” said Hafiz Ali, representative of Dr Shamsheer Vayalil who came to met the families and extend the support.
Dr Shamsheer on June 17, days after the crash on Atulyam hostel complex, had announced the distribution of Rs 6 crore among the victims of the tragedy.
“The dreams your loved ones carried were shared by all of us who believe in the calling to heal and serve. Please know that you are not alone. The medical community stands beside you,” he assured in a personal letter handed over to the families.
Meanwhile, Dean Dr Minakshi Parikh, said, “We are still coming to terms with an unimaginable loss. In moments like these, gestures of solidarity carry great meaning and remind us that the medical community stands together in times of grief.”
Dr Shekar Parghi, a representative from Junior Doctors’ Association, added, “We’ve lost friends. The pain is real. What Dr Shamsheer did means a lot. It felt like someone who understands what it means to be one of us reached out in a moment when we needed it most.”
After the handover, a special prayer gathering was held in memory of the departed. Faculty, students, and staff took part in the meeting which was also attended by Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.
Those who died on-ground include 13-year-old Akash Suresh Patni; Ranbirsinh and Chetnaba Chavda, who were on a scooter and had come for their KYC verification; Dr Bhavesh Senta and his pregnant sister Dr Kajal Solanki; relatives of a doctor Meenaben Kantilal Suthar, Jayesh Kalyanji Mistry and Prachi Gajjar; medical students Rakesh Diyora from Bhavnagar; Aryan Rajput from Rajasthan; Manav Bhadoo from Rajasthan and Jay Prakash Chaudhary from Madhya Pradesh; mess cook Sarla Thakore and her grand daughter Aadhya; Harshdeep Banga, music director Mahesh Kalawadia. Three others who were on the ground and died during treatment were Rajendra Patankar, Ashish Hadat and Jiviben Patni.
(With inputs from Brendan Dabhi )
The debris of the left engine, which was found lying on the ground, was also shifted on Monday (Express File) 
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