Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 13 : Former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani's cousin, Vipul Rupani, said that three people have left for Ahmedabad, and others will go after receiving proper information. He said that his fathers had good relations with the late Vijay Rupani.
Vipul Rupani told ANI, "He (Vijay Rupani) was born in Rangoon (Yangon, Myanmar), then he shifted to India. I was born and brought up in Bengal. My father had very good relations with him...Today morning, three people have already left for Ahmedabad. Most probably, more people will leave for Ahmedabad from here after receiving proper information..."
Vijay Rupani died in the Air India-171 flight, which crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Late Vijay Rupani's wife, Anjali Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received her.
Other family members also arrived in Ahmedabad and reached the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa, on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, one of Rupani's neighbours, Kiranben, with a wrenched heart, stated that it still feels as if he is present with them. "...I still feel as if he is with us. I have not been able to say anything since yesterday. His memories will stay with us always...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...Cannot believe this has happened," she said.
For Rupani's neighbour and family doctor, Dr Nayan Shah, it is hard to believe what has happened, but it would be the memories that he will cherish forever.
Shah stated, "We have been neighbours for 35 years. His memories will always stay with us. Be it good or bad times, we stayed together...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...It is very difficult to believe, but we have to stay with his memories."
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday.
The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday.