In the wake of the devastating Air India crash that left the nation reeling, actor Raveena Tandon has emerged as a symbol of solidarity and strength. The crash of flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, claimed the lives of 270 people—241 onboard and 29 on the ground—when it tragically plummeted into the B.J. Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar shortly after takeoff on June 12.
The tragedy has left a deep scar on the nation’s conscience, and intense scrutiny has since surrounded Air India. Yet, in a powerful and heartfelt gesture, Tandon chose to fly with the national carrier, offering a moving message of resilience.
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Taking to Instagram, Raveena shared photographs of her journey with Air India, including images from inside the aircraft and a picture of her boarding pass. In her emotional note, she acknowledged the heavy atmosphere aboard the flight—”the crew’s welcoming smiles, tinted with sadness,” she described—but also emphasized a shared sense of silent strength between passengers and crew alike. “New Beginnings … to rise and fly again against all odds … to pick up and start all over, new resolve towards greater strength,” Raveena wrote.
“The atmosphere solemn and the crew’s welcoming smiles, tinted with sadness. The silent passengers and crew bonding with unspoken condolences and subtle confidence. Condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones. A wound that will never heal. Godspeed always @airindia. Fearless and a will to overcome and be strong again.”
Her tribute resonated with many, especially at a moment when the airline is under intense emotional and public pressure. Her words captured the quiet, shared grief that many travelers are experiencing and underlined a larger narrative—of courage, unity, and healing.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout the country and abroad. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and Air India has pledged full cooperation with authorities. While questions abound regarding safety protocols and technical failures, voices like Tandon’s remind the public of the human element behind every tragedy—the compassion, the resilience, and the need to stand together.
By Sulagna Kar
