Connect with us

society

“A City in Mourning”: Funeral Rites Begin as Grieving Families Receive Victims of Air India Crash

Published

on

“A City in Mourning”: Funeral Rites Begin as Grieving Families Receive Victims of Air India Crash

“A City in Mourning”: Funeral Rites Begin as Grieving Families Receive Victims of Air India Crash

 

AHMEDABAD — Grieving families in India began holding funeral ceremonies on Sunday for loved ones lost in one of the world’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades, as the death toll from Thursday’s Air India crash reached at least 279.

Health officials have started releasing the first identified victims to relatives in Ahmedabad, where rows of white coffins, delivered with solemn care, marked the beginning of a heartbreaking chapter.

“My heart is very heavy,” said Tushar Leuva, an NGO worker assisting with the recovery. “How do we give the bodies to the families? How will they react when they open the gate? But we’ll have to do it.”

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board, crashed shortly after takeoff, erupting into flames and slamming into a residential area used by medical staff. At least 38 people on the ground were also killed. Only one person — British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh — survived the crash. His brother, tragically, was also on the flight.

Witnesses described the wreckage as apocalyptic, with charred remains and scattered debris. Families have been urged not to open the coffins due to the condition of the bodies.

Authorities are relying on DNA testing to identify the victims. As of Sunday morning, only 31 individuals had been confirmed. “This is a meticulous and slow process, so it has to be done meticulously only,” said Dr. Rajnish Patel of Ahmedabad’s civil hospital.

Among the victims was Arjun Patoliya, a father of two who had flown to India to scatter his late wife’s ashes. “I really hope those girls will be looked after by all of us,” said Anjana Patel, the mayor of London’s Harrow borough, home to several victims.

As communities mourned, one woman shared her miraculous escape. “We missed the flight because we arrived late,” said Bhoomi Chauhan, 28. “At that moment, I kept thinking that if only we had left a little earlier…”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. India’s aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said decoding the recovered black box would provide “an in-depth insight” into the tragedy. Inspections of other Air India Dreamliners have been ordered.

Air India confirmed there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members on board.

As the city buries its dead, the grief remains raw, and the questions unanswered.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

society

TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR ZULUM FOR HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES 

Published

on

TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR ZULUM FOR HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES 

 

 

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has commended Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his generous donation of ₦150 million to the families of three military officers who were tragically killed in recent attacks. Each family received ₦50 million as part of the state’s continued commitment to supporting fallen heroes and wounded personnel involved in counter-insurgency operations.

 

The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the foundation’s chairman, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.

 

The foundation expressed gratitude for the governor’s compassionate gesture, which included personal visits to the families of the late Lieutenant Colonels Umar Farouq, Salihu Iliyasu, and Aliyu Saidu Paiko in Abuja, Niger, and Kano States. During the visits, Governor Zulum offered his condolences and praised the service, sacrifice, and patriotism of the fallen officers.

 

The foundation’s Grand Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR (Rtd), personally commended the governor’s dedication to improving the lives of Borno State residents. He also extended his condolences to the families of the officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

 

During his visits, Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting bereaved families, which includes offering scholarships to the orphaned children of fallen personnel. He pledged to extend similar visits to other affected families, underscoring a compassionate approach to addressing the needs of those who have suffered in the line of duty.

 

Continue Reading

society

Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis

Published

on

 

*Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis

 

Her Majesty Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu, Queen of the Aches Empire under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA), has been appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, effective immediately.

This appointment comes as the UKA takes decisive steps to strengthen its humanitarian efforts and protect its citizens from unauthorized activities. In light of recent developments, the UKA has issued an official public disclaimer cautioning citizens, followers, and the general public about the activities of individuals promoting and operating a coin or platform not officially recognized by the Atlantian Gold Coin (ATC). This follows the hijacking of the 5 billion humanitarian project, a move that has been met with concern and condemnation from the international community.

As the newly appointed Minister, Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu has announced that all matters pertaining to the 5 billion humanitarian project in UKA should be directed to her office. This includes the newly captured NGOs, which are now required to report to the Office of Humanitarian Affairs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of humanitarian resources.

“We are committed to transparency and accountability in our humanitarian efforts,” said Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu. “We urge all stakeholders to work with us to ensure the success of our initiatives and protect our citizens from unauthorized activities. We will not tolerate any form of exploitation or mismanagement of humanitarian funds, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

The UKA has assured its citizens and the international community that it is taking all necessary measures to recover the hijacked funds and bring the perpetrators to justice. The appointment of Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu is seen as a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring that humanitarian efforts are aligned with the UKA’s values and principles.

For more information. Please contact the Office of the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture and Kingdom Affairs.

*About the United Kingdom of Atlantis*
The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and humanitarian values. The UKA is dedicated to working with international partners to address global challenges and improve the lives of its citizens and people around the world.

Continue Reading

society

NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists

Published

on

NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists

 

At a time when Nigeria’s media industry is strained by economic uncertainty, job instability, and shrinking newsroom resources, the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) is redefining professional solidarity. More than a network of editors, it is emerging as a critical support system for journalists navigating an increasingly precarious landscape.

 

Founded on the principles of welfare, solidarity, and professional growth, NASRE has positioned itself as a responsive and forward-looking body within the media ecosystem. While many professional associations remain focused on advocacy and training, NASRE distinguishes itself by combining these roles with direct and practical support for journalists and their families.

 

At the core of its mission is a clear proposition that no journalist should be abandoned in times of need. Through financial assistance, targeted outreach, and sustained engagement, the association has supported members facing hardship, as well as widows and families of deceased practitioners. These largely understated interventions have steadily earned NASRE credibility and respect across the industry.

 

The organisation’s approach reflects a keen awareness of the pressures confronting media professionals, including irregular pay, job insecurity, and limited institutional backing. In such an environment, NASRE’s welfare initiatives are not merely charitable, they are essential.

 

Beyond welfare, the association is investing in professional resilience. Through collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing platforms, it is equipping editors and practitioners to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital media space, where adaptability is no longer optional.

 

Headquartered in Lagos, NASRE continues to broaden its reach, attracting a growing membership united by the need for a more responsive and supportive professional community. Its expansion signals a shift in expectations within the industry, away from symbolic affiliations towards institutions that deliver measurable value.

 

For many observers, NASRE represents a necessary evolution, a professional body anchored not just in ideals, but in impact. By combining empathy with structure, it offers a model of what media associations can become in challenging times.

 

As the industry continues to evolve, organisations like NASRE may prove indispensable. In a profession devoted to telling society’s stories, it is ensuring that the storytellers themselves are not left behind.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending