With the tragic news of the Ahmedabad plane crash, sorrow and unity shook the Indian expat community in Dubai as locals reflected on the loss of 242 lives on board Air India Flight 171, which is now being billed as one of the worst aviation accidents to ever happen in India in recent times.
On the morning of June 12, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was on its way to London when it crashed soon after taking off Ahmedabad airport. The plane had 232 passengers along with 10 crew on board and the final reports indicate that there was only one survivor, while all others were found dead.
Minute of Silence at Indian Consulate
The Indian Consulate in Dubai also held a minute of silence in a moving memorial to the victims. The observation was done in a meeting that was initially planned for the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Sharjah.
Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, addressed the mourners present halting the proceedings of the event to note the huge tragedy.
“As the massive tragedy that has occurred barely 2 and half hours ago in Ahmedabad, I would seek everyone to stand up and observe one minute of silence as a mark of respect to the deceased,” Sivan said solemnly.
Community Mourns Together
The atmosphere at the Consulate and throughout theIndian communityin Dubai was grim and many were shocked and saddened. Particularly affected were the families with connections to Gujarat and Ahmedabad in particular. The emotional touch of the moment supported the strong attachment that Indian expats have to their motherland- despite being charged thousands of miles away.
This massacre is personal. Although we may not have known anyone on board, the grief is in every Indian household here,” said Rakesh Nair, a long-time resident of Bur Dubai.
Wellness Event Turned Tribute
Nevertheless, in spite of the gloomy mood, the Indian mission proceeded with the planned launch of the International Day of Yoga, which was scheduled to provide people with a piece of calm and contemplation. In conjunction with the Year of Community in the UAE, the 2025 version will take place in Sharjah at Expo Centre on Saturday, June 21, between 5 PM and 7 PM.
The event is also open to all nationalities and approximately 5,000 participants are expected. The registration has already started through the official portal. Sivan outlined that yoga is an effective emotional healing and bonding boon in challenging times. “Yoga is now the gift of the entire world… and it is particularly significant at the time, when we all need some mutual relaxation and resilience.”
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Honouring the Lost and Moving Forward
As the community gears up to the next yoga session, Thursday will be forever remembered as a national mourning and a day of national grief. Numerous Indian nationals living in various parts of Dubai have used social media and local praying networks to convey their regrets and assured that they are standing firmly with the families of the casualties.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai, as the investigations into the Ahmedabad plane crash are still ongoing, is in contact with the local police and the community at large to offer any emotional and logistic support necessary. Although it is a tragic story, it has also united the Indian community in Dubai even further, as they mourn together, stand together, and hope to heal together.