IMA Gujarat urges Tata Sons to extend financial aid to BJ Medical students affected by Air India crash

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gujarat State Branch, on Saturday formally wrote to the Chairman of Tata Sons, urging the conglomerate to extend financial and humanitarian support to medical students of BJ Medical College affected by June 13's horrific Air India plane crash.

In a letter addressed to N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons — which owns the airline — the IMA requested immediate assistance for students who were injured or lost their lives in the crash.

Several students from the college had been present at the site during the incident which has shaken the country and claimed 274 lives including those onboard and on-ground.


"We humbly request you to consider extending financial assistance and necessary support to the medical students present at the crash site who were injured or lost their lives in this unfortunate event," the letter reads.


Acknowledging the airline's Rs 1 crore payout to passenger victims of the crash, the medical body wrote, "The individuals were not only victims but also future pillars of our healthcare system, and their well-being and families deserve similar care and support."

Earlier, Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson had expressed concern for the medical students injured in the incident, stating, “Air India is committed to providing full and unstinting assistance in these difficult times.”

Tata Group announces compensation, medical support

Hours after the appeal, CEO Wilson confirmed that the Tata Group will provide Rs 1 crore (approx. £85,000) to the families of each person who died in the crash. The group will also bear all medical expenses for the injured.

“We are devastated by this loss and grieve for those affected,” Wilson said in a video message posted on Air India’s official handle on X. He added that 241 of the 242 people on board had died in the incident, calling it a tragedy of immense scale.

Air India has deployed over 100 caregivers and 40 engineering staff to Ahmedabad. Assistance centres have also been set up in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London to help the families of victims, including facilitating their travel and providing logistical and emotional support.

Having visited the crash site and met with government officials, Wilson had assured full cooperation with ongoing investigations and reaffirmed the airline’s long-term commitment to supporting affected families.