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US weighs C-17 production restart Beyond the millions: 10 essential life lessons Warren Buffett thinks everyone should live by NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.”If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Jun 12, 2026, 19:55 IST ‘Bharathiraja struggled to come out of the pain after losing his son,’ reveals Radha Ravi talking about the veteran filmmaker’s personal struggles Delhi to Dharamshala in just 6 hours? NH-503 upgrade could make it possible by September Synergy of steel & software: How Indian Railways got on the digital track Representative image The government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ push is opening the hills of Uttarakhand to a new generation of destination weddings and four towns are quietly becoming the names every couple is taking note of.For years, Rishikesh and Mussoorie have been the state’s most prominent wedding destinations. However, they seem to have become too popular in recent years. Hotels are booked months in advance, caterers are stretched and the roads on a weekend can resemble a wedding procession themselves.With just these two towns carrying the burden, Uttarakhand’s wedding tourism became a victim of its own success.Which is precisely why the Uttarakhand government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative, launched with considerable intent at the Global Investors Summit, where the Prime Minister personally endorsed the push, is significant not merely as policy, but as a deliberate act of demand redistribution.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to ensure that when a couple in Mumbai or Delhi begins planning a hill wedding, the conversation does not begin and end with those two names.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to open up a Uttarakhand that most of India has not yet discoveredJim Corbett: Where the jungle becomes the venueJim Corbett has long been India’s most storied wildlife reserve. What is newer, made possible by the state’s hospitality investment push, is its emergence as a serious destination wedding location.The resort properties that have opened in and around Corbett now offer settings that no decorator can replicate: jungle backdrops, open-air ceremony spaces, and the kind of raw natural drama that turns a wedding into an experience guests talk about for years.A baraat that arrives at the edge of a forest is a different kind of experience. The morning after, guests go on a safari. These are the memories that live beyond the photographs.The Uttarakhand government has invested in road connectivity to the Corbett belt, improving access from Delhi-NCR, the primary feeder market for destination weddings, while the state’s hospitality development framework has encouraged resort-grade properties to invest in the region.The private sector responded. The government created the conditions; the market followed.Nainital: The lake and the lightNainital has always been loved. In the context of destination weddings, however, it has never been fully explored.The combination of a lake-facing ceremony, colonial-era venue architecture, and a town that slows down to receive you makes it a natural fit for couples seeking grandeur without the airport-scale logistics of Udaipur or Jaipur.The Uttarakhand government’s improvement of the Nainital road corridor has meaningfully reduced travel time from Pantnagar Airport and from the Delhi highway.For wedding guests, this is the difference between a destination that feels accessible and one that feels like an expedition.Bhimtal: The quiet argumentFifteen kilometres from Nainital, Bhimtal sits around a lake that is, depending on your loyalties, either larger or more beautiful than Naini Lake.The town has fewer tourists, quieter streets, and boutique properties that have grown in quality alongside the state’s broader hospitality push.For destination weddings, this quietude is the point. A three-day celebration that takes over a boutique lakeside property in Bhimtal has an intimacy that no large wedding venue can manufacture.The government’s homestay policy, which has developed accommodation supply across Kumaon, has helped address one of the perennial challenges of a hill wedding: where do you put 200 guests in a town without a Marriott? Bhimtal now has an answer.Lansdowne: The best-kept secretOf the four destinations at the heart of the government’s wedding push, Lansdowne is the one couples have not considered yet, and perhaps the hardest to set aside once they do.A Garhwali hill town with deep army connections, pine forests, and a quietude increasingly rare in hill tourism, Lansdowne is central to the government’s strategy precisely because it is not yet overcrowded.The ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative is directing attention and infrastructure investment towards places like Lansdowne that possess the natural assets, but not yet the footfall.Hospitality backdrop that makes it all possibleNone of this works without the hospitality transformation Uttarakhand has undergone. Whether Taj, Westin, or Lemon Tree, the arrival of major hotel groups across the state has fundamentally changed what a destination wedding can look like.One district magistrate in Kumaon reported five major lifestyle-grade properties opening in a single district within a short period.The Uttarakhand government’s role has been both direct and indirect: directly through policy support for hospitality investments and the state’s single-window clearance system, and indirectly through infrastructure improvements that have enhanced accessibility.For couples planning a wedding in 2026 or 2027, the message from Uttarakhand is simple: the hills are ready, but you have to choose which one.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Can India become a mango export powerhouse? Opportunities, challenges and road ahead ‘Arijit Singh got emotional’: Shashwat Sachdev shares touching moment from ‘Phir Se’ recording session for ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ Jaishankar exposes EU double-standard: The weapons Pakistan got from Europe Hunter Biden says he will take part in 2028 US election, but only on one condition: ‘Here’s the deal…’ ‘Order floor test’: Ritabrata Banerjee claims support of 64 TMC MLAs, submits list to Speaker | India News Jun 12, 2026, 19:13 IST US stock market today: Wall Street steadies as oil drops, SpaceX debut puts AI frenzy to the test R Madhavan revealed it was wife Sarita’s decision to move to Dubai for son Vedaant, gave himself a 6/10 as a parent: ‘Unable to do some things due to my profession’ 400-year-old burial in Finland uncovers a man whose bones, DNA, and teeth tell conflicting stories ‘He was heading to Germany when this happened’: Uncle reveals final details before Jaspal Rana’s death ‘Don’t know why people choose to see just a political angle’: Ranvir Shorey dismiss political angle debate around ‘Dhurandhar’ Optical illusion personality test: Woman or trees? What you see first reveals if you are creative or sensitive | Billionaire Kevin O’Leary admits making mistakes after huge protests over his giant data center project; says: That’s not the way I do … Evening news wrap Sensex jumps 1,695 pts, Nifty crosses 23,600 on US–Iran peace hopes.Mamata Banerjee faces FIR over alleged provocative speech; probe underway.Geneva floated as possible venue for US–Iran deal signing, reports say.India marks AI-171 crash anniversary; minister says probe continues with professionalism.Kane Williamson retires from international cricket after 16-year career.Here are the top news of the day:Stock markets surge on US–Iran peace hopesIndian markets rallied sharply on Friday as hopes of a US–Iran peace deal boosted global sentiment. Sensex jumped 1,695 points to close at 75,527.95, while Nifty50 rose 461 points to 23,622.90, reclaiming the 23,600 mark. Investor wealth rose by over Rs 10 lakh crore, with gains across sectors and mid- and small-cap indices up nearly 2%. Read full storyFIR registered against Mamata Banerjee over provocative speechAn FIR has been registered against former West Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee over an alleged provocative speech at a Kolkata rally. Filed on June 7, the case invokes BNS sections related to provocation and public disorder. Read full storyUS–Iran deal talks intensify amid venue and nuclear disputesGeneva is being considered as a possible venue for signing a US–Iran agreement as early as Sunday, according to reports. Meanwhile, Iranian state media said Tehran will not surrender control of the Strait of Hormuz under any draft deal with Washington. Iran also insists on retaining uranium enrichment rights, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is in “full agreement” with Donald Trump on blocking Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Follow live updatesIndia marks first anniversary of Air India AI-171 crashCivil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu paid tribute to victims of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash on its first anniversary, saying the investigation is continuing with “diligence and professionalism”. The London-bound Boeing 787 crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12 last year, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew and people on the ground, with only one survivor. Read full storyKane Williamson retires from international cricketNew Zealand star batter Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, ending a 16-year career. He played 378 matches across formats, including 110 Tests, 175 ODIs and 93 T20Is. His final appearance came in the first Test against England at Lord’s, after which he opted out of the rest of the series. Read full storyGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s ResidenceMajor Crack In TMC: 19 Lok Sabha MPs Led By Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Seek Separate Recognition123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOGulf of Oman attackJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPODelhi weatherIndustrial fuel banTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result Updated: Jun 12, 2026, 16:26 IST GV Prakash joins Anil Ravipudi’s next: National award-winning composer comes on board for Venkatesh-Kalyan Ram multistarrer Power rituals for Gen Z based on your birth date Home Loan Tax Benefit: Took a home loan? Understand your tax benefits and limits in FY26 under Income Tax Act Air India crash, a year ago. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) issued an interim statement on Friday, marking one year since the crash. It offered condolences to the family and assured the probe is being conducted in a comprehensive manner to ensure blame or liability is not assigned inaapropriately.”Today marks one year since the tragic accident involving Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating from Ahmedabad to London, which occurred shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, on 12 June 2025. On this solemn occasion, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in the accident. We also acknowledge the enduring pain and loss suffered by all those affected,” said the AAIB in a press release.Further asserting their objective behind the probe it added, “The sole purpose of an accident investigation is to enhance aviation safety through the identification of lessons and safety recommendations, and not to apportion blame or liability. Accordingly, AAIB urges all stakeholders, including the media and the public, to refrain from speculation or premature conclusions while the investigation remains in progress.”AAIB also detailed the progress of their investigation. “Over the past year, the investigation team has undertaken an extensive and rigorous examination of all relevant technical, operational, organisational and human factors associated with the accident. This effort has been supported by accredited representatives, technical advisers and subject matter experts from relevant organisations. Significant progress has been made in the examination and analysis of aircraft systems, flight recorder data, engine-related components, maintenance and operational records, and other evidence relevant to the investigation.”The division of the ministry of civil aviation also stated that the evidence and findings from various examinations are currently under comprehensive, integrated analysis, with further technical and specialist assessments to be carried out wherever required to ensure conclusions are fully supported by verified, scientifically sound evidence.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s ResidenceMajor Crack In TMC: 19 Lok Sabha MPs Led By Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Seek Separate Recognition123PhotostoriesBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-tryRahul Dravid shares a unique bond with son Anvay Dravid: 6 parenting tips to borrow from him123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOGulf of Oman attackJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPODelhi weatherIndustrial fuel banTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result ‘From an opponent to a friend’: Virat Kohli pens heartfelt farewell message for Kane Williamson | Cricket News Edible oil imports rise 6.7% in May, higher soyabean oil shipments drive growth KTU B.Tech pass percentage hits record 60.1%, Women outperform men: Check details here Delhi HC issues notice on Salman Khan’s plea seeking stay on ‘Kala Hiran’ for violating his personality rights, hearing on June 19 Why Virat Kohli is not playing the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala Indian fraudster caught by alert store owner in Michigan, gets golden chocolate coins instead of $700k gold Jun 12, 2026, 18:15 IST Assam HSLC Class 10th re-checking result released at site.sebaonline.org: Direct link to download scorecards here ‘Dhamaal 4’ trailer out: Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi and gang are back with more fun, adventure and chaos They slept for days and never woke the same again: The mysterious post-WWI disease that locked patients in endless sleep states Man buys Rs 1.14 lakh AC that wouldn’t cool; Delhi court orders full refund plus Rs 25K compensation Meet Vipan Kumar: Indian-origin worker who saved 5-year-old girl from frozen lake in Romania, awarded honorary citizenship Air India Ahmedabad plane crash NEW DELHI: One year has passed since Air India Flight AI171 crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad, claiming 260 lives and leaving behind hundreds of grieving families still searching for answers. The wreckage has long been cleared. Life around the crash site has gradually returned to routine. But for many families, June 12, 2025 remains frozen in time..Many wait for answers with a pain almost as acute as the loss itself: What caused the plane to fall? Could it have been prevented? Will the final investigation bring closure? As the nation marks the first anniversary of the Ahmedabad Air India crash, the tragedy remains far more than an aviation disaster. It is a story of dreams cut short, families learning to live with unimaginable loss and questions that continue to linger long after the wreckage was cleared.The impact of AI171 extended far beyond the passengers and their families. Several Air India employees who worked alongside the crew members on board say they too struggled with the aftermath of the disaster. An airline staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TOI that the tragedy left many employees traumatised and some resigned within months of the crash.”The trauma of the Air India crash affected us as well. Many crew members resigned within three to four months. We were all dealing with trauma and were not even provided with mental health support,” the employee said.For Parth Patel, who lost his mother Hemangini, uncle Rajnikant and aunt Divya in the disaster, the anniversary is a reminder not only of loss but also of the questions that continue to linger.“Everyone is calling this a tragedy. That is wrong. It was a massive systemic failure. A year has passed and we still do not have a final report or any real accountability. The promises of justice remain only words on paper,” Patel told TOI.Across India, countless families carry similar stories of interrupted futures, unfinished conversations and loved ones whose absence is felt in the smallest moments of everyday life.The wreckage has been cleared and life around the site has largely returned to routine. But for the families of the 260 victims, time has not healed all wounds. An ordinary day, a routine flightFor most people in Ahmedabad, the day began like any other summer afternoon. At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Air India flight 171 prepared for a routine journey to London Gatwick. Families said goodbye, passengers settled in.At 1:38pm the Boeing 787 lifted off. Less than a minute later, it was gone.The Dreamliner crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Meghaninagar moments after takeoff, creating one of India’s worst aviation disasters.. For residents living near the airport, the first sign that something had gone terribly wrong was the sound: a massive roar, then thick smoke. “When we went to the crash site, dead bodies and debris were scattered all over,” an eyewitness who lived nearby recalled. Another, whose office stood barely 200 metres away, described chaos — a loud blast, choking smoke, fire and confusion that made everything invisible.Within minutes, images of thick black smoke rising above Ahmedabad began flashing on television screens and phones across the country. Rescue teams, firefighters, police, disaster response units and medical staff converged as families scrambled for news. The aircraft carried 242 people; the crash also killed medical students, doctors and residents in the densely populated hostel area. By evening, the scale of the disaster had become horrifyingly clear.How 32 seconds changed everythingCaptain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder performed routine checks as the flight took off. Just three seconds into the flight, something went terribly wrong.The fuel control switches for both engines transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF”, just a second apart. Fuel supply to both engines was interrupted, causing engine power to drop and the aircraft to crash.. According to the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), one pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other replied, “I didn’t.”The conversation, recorded after the fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF, triggered widespread debate among aviation experts and the public over what may have happened in the cockpit during the aircraft’s final moments.Within seconds, the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency system designed to provide hydraulic and electrical power during critical failures, automatically deployed as engine parameters dropped below minimum levels.The pilots quickly moved the fuel switches back to the RUN position. Fuel supply to the engines resumed and recovery sequences began. But it was too late.At 1:39:05pm, the pilots transmitted a final distress call: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.”It was the last communication from the cockpit.Six seconds later, the aircraft crashed less than two kilometres from the airport. At 1:39:11pm, flight data stopped recording.However, the preliminary report stopped short of assigning blame or drawing conclusions. Released under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, the document was intended to establish technical facts and reconstruct the sequence of events rather than determine responsibility..The report also referred to a 2018 advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration regarding the possible disengagement of the locking feature on fuel control switches used on several Boeing aircraft, including the Dreamliner. Air India had not carried out the suggested inspections as the advisory was not mandatory.Investigators further observed that the aircraft’s throttle control module had been replaced in 2019 and again in 2023, though no previously reported defects related to the fuel control switches were found.A year later, what caused the switches to move and ultimately led to the loss of AI171 remains one of the central questions investigators are still working to answer.The lives on flight AI171The aircraft carried 242 people on board, including 230 passengers, two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Some passengers were travelling to reunite with their families. Others were chasing educational opportunities, returning home or preparing for the next chapter of their lives.. Behind every seat number on the flight was a story.Seat 35J. British national Ramesh Patel had travelled to India for a short visit. “He came here for nine days … he just wanted to eat some fruits … he did not come back home. This was his first trip. I spoke to him 3-4 times a week, but when he video-called on Tuesday, I was working, and I thought I would call him back but I was never able to,” his daughter Priti Pandya said.Seat 27A. Sanket Goswami from Mehsana was travelling to London to pursue higher education.”My nephew lost his only son. He was going to London to study. He was an enthusiastic boy. He has a younger sister,” a relative said.Seat 2D. Gujarat former chief minister Vijay Rupani was going to London to meet his daughter.”I still feel as if he is with us. His memories will stay with us always … We used to celebrate all the festivals together … I cannot believe this has happened,” his neighbour Kiranben said after the tragedy.Seat 25G. Among those on board was Chandu Baguane who died in the crash.. For years, Chandu had worked as a labourer in London, building a life centred on supporting his loved ones back home. Originally from a village near Ahmedabad, he was preparing to return to the United Kingdom on AI171 after completing the final rituals and spending precious time with his family. Those left behind Across India and overseas, families spent the first hours after the crash desperately trying to reconnect with loved ones. Phones rang unanswered. Messages went undelivered. Hope slowly gave way to fear.Many rushed to Ahmedabad in search of information, clinging to reports that survivors might still be found.What followed were days of uncertainty.Families waited outside hospitals, emergency centres and DNA collection facilities as authorities worked to identify victims. For many, acceptance proved difficult.At BJ Medical College, Dean Dr Meenakshi Parikh recalled one father refusing to believe DNA testing was necessary. “My eyes are the DNA test,” he told officials, insisting he would recognise his family no matter what condition they were in.Parikh still remembers the moment. “I could see where he was coming from,” she later said.For many families, the passage of time has not erased the loss. It has simply taught them how to live alongside it.And for those left behind, some conversations remain unfinished.Seat 11A: The man who survivedAmong the 242 passengers and crew was 40-year-old Viswashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit.Videos of Ramesh stumbling away from the wreckage became one of the defining visuals of the tragedy. Yet behind what many described as a miracle lies a story of grief, trauma and survival.Recalling the final moments of the flight, Ramesh said he sensed something was wrong almost immediately after take-off.”At first, I thought I was dead,” Ramesh recalled. “Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage near my seat. I managed to unbuckle myself. I used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.”Videos from the crash site showed him emerging from the debris, injured and disoriented, shouting in Gujarati, “Plane fatyo che!” (“The plane has exploded”).But survival came with an unbearable loss.Seated across the aisle in 11J was his younger brother, Ajaykumar Ramesh who did not survive.Days later, still bandaged and limping, he carried his brother’s coffin during the final rites at their ancestral village in Diu.”Viswash, along with the father, broke down multiple times during the final rites,” a relative told reporters..Another family member, Dhiru Soma, said the survivor was struggling to come to terms with the loss. “He is not relieved to have survived. He feels more pain over his brother’s death.”A year later, Viswashkumar Ramesh continues to battle physical pain, financial hardship and the psychological scars left by the crash that changed his life forever.Remembering his brother, Ramesh said the loss remains the most difficult part of his journey..“For me, the hardest thing is knowing that my brother isn’t here. We were together that day and I still think about him every day. As grateful as I am to be alive, a part of me was lost that day too. What I’ve had to live through since then has been far more difficult than I can put into words,” he told TOI.Marking the first anniversary of the crash, Ramesh said the day serves as a painful reminder of everything he and dozens of other families lost that day.Vishwas continues to struggle with mobility, cannot drive and largely remains confined to his home. The fishing business he operated with his late brother has suffered significantly.Lives claimed on groundSome victims of flight AI171 never bought a ticket.They never entered the airport.Yet they became part of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.Just seconds after take-off, AI171 slammed into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. It was packed with students, doctors, hospital staff and families.The plane tore through the college hostel and residential complex, leaving behind twisted metal and concrete, shattered rooms. Many of those inside the hostel had only moments to react.Some were having lunch.Others were studying, resting or preparing for their next classes.19 lives on the ground were lost, pushing the overall death toll in the tragedy to 260.What are the families still asking for? A year has passed since the Ahmedabad Air India crash, but for many families, time is measured differently. It is measured in birthdays missed, festivals observed in silence and phone numbers that can no longer be called.For many families, the most urgent question remains unanswered: what exactly happened in the final moments of AI171?Devarsh Patel, who lost both his parents in the crash, says the absence of clarity continues to overshadow everything else.“We want closure, and the data from the black box must be given to the relatives so that we can learn about the reason for the crash. Even after a year, the agencies have failed to do so,” he told TOI.Others questioned why the findings have not been fully made public. Anil Vyas, who lost his daughter Komi, said transparency cannot be partial.“We are demanding that the entire data be made public,” he said.For some, the wait has turned into a matter of right rather than closure. Ahmedabad resident David Christian, who lost his son Rozar and daughter-in-law Rachana, said the unanswered questions continue to define their grief.“We deserve to know the cause of the crash,” he said.Edwin Pateliya from Vadodara, who lost his daughter Elcena Makwana, said the delay itself has become part of the trauma.“My wife Agnes and I want to know the truth,” he said.And for Mohammad Shethwala, now in the UK, who lost his wife and two-year-old daughter in the crash, the anniversary only sharpens the absence of answers.“I have not had any proper answers on why this happened. The one-year anniversary is very difficult,” he said.Parth Patel, who lost three members of his family, said accountability cannot end with payouts.“Everybody thinks compensation has been offered and the matter is finished. It is not,” he said. “A family’s grief cannot be reduced to a corporate line item. We want transparency, responsibility and justice.”Rajesh Avaiya said that the support must go beyond formal payments.“The authorities should be taking our calls, answering our emails and offering strong support,” he said.Belongings still missingSeveral families have still not received the personal belongings.“We have not received the mobile phones of my parents despite writing multiple emails,” he said. “The phones contain private information. We are simply not getting answers,” Devarsh Patel told TOI. Others point to inconsistencies in recovery and identification of belongings. Families said items such as bags, phones and jewellery have either not been returned or remain unaccounted for.“We identified my brother’s phone, but the airline asked for proof of purchase,” said Avaiya. “Even after sending it, there is no response.”.In April, several families jointly wrote to authorities demanding the release of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) information, saying it was essential to understand the cause of the tragedy and prevent similar disasters in the future.The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aviation authorities, said families were not seeking speculation but truth.According to Air India, interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh has been paid to 96% of families of the deceased, while ex gratia payments of Rs 1 crore have been completed for 91%.The airline also said over 22,000 personal items were recovered from the crash site, with a majority returned to families, while some remain pending due to documentation issues or disputes.However, compensation and paperwork cannot provide the closure they seek. Where does the probe stand? For many families, the first anniversary of the AI171 crash is not only a moment of remembrance but also a reminder that key questions remain unanswered.Under international aviation rules, accident investigations are expected to be completed within a year. However, authorities are yet to release the final report into the Ahmedabad crash.According to Bloomberg, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to miss that deadline as crucial technical examinations, including analysis of the aircraft’s engines in the United States, are still underway…Instead, investigators are expected to issue a status update explaining the progress made and the reasons for the delay.The investigation involves multiple international agencies and manufacturers, including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing and GE Aerospace. Engineers are continuing to examine the aircraft’s engines and related systems using specialised equipment available in the United States.The preliminary report released last year reconstructed the final moments of the flight and revealed that both engine fuel control switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ seconds after take-off, cutting fuel supply to the engines. While investigators documented the sequence of events, the report did not establish why the switches moved.Investigators are also examining several other aspects of the crash, including the deployment of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), the condition of the flight recorders, why the Emergency Locator Transmitter did not activate after impact and whether any maintenance-related issues played a role.For families who lost loved ones, the wait for the final findings has become part of the grief itself.”We want closure, and the data from the black box must be given to the relatives so that we can learn about the reason for the crash,” Devarsh Patel, who lost both his parents in the disaster, told TOI.One year after AI171 crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad, the wreckage has long been cleared. But for many families, the search for truth remains unfinished.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorPriyanshi RastogiPriyanshi Rastogi is a journalist with The Times of India. She primarily covers national and international news, along with business affairs. 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