Page 6 - The Indian EYE 062025

EYE ON INDIA JUNE 20, 2025 | The Indian Eye 6

VIJAY RUPANI:

A Gentle Statesman Who Shaped

Gujarat’s Growth

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, a dedicated BJP leader and widely respected administrator,

died in the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, leaving behind a legacy of public service and political humility

OUR BUREAU
Ahmedabad
he sudden and tragic demise of former Gu-
jarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the
TAhmedabad plane crash on June 12 has
plunged the state and the nation into mourning.
Rupani, who was among the 241 victims aboard
Air India flight AI-171 bound for London, is being
remembered as a grounded leader, a committed
public servant, and an architect of Gujarat’s devel-
opmental drive during his tenure as chief minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had
worked closely with Rupani for decades, met the
bereaved family and paid a heartfelt tribute. “It is
unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst,”
he wrote. “He was humble and hardworking, firmly
committed to the Party’s ideology. Vijaybhai and
I worked shoulder to shoulder, including during
some of the most challenging times.” Modi recalled
how Rupani’s steady leadership brought tangible
improvements in governance and people’s lives,
especially through his focus on Ease of Living. Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoles the family of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in Ahmedabad on Friday. Gujarat Chief
Rupani, a two-time chief minister, served
Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 and played a crucial Minister Bhupendra Patel is also seen (ANI)
role in steering the state through several complex
phases, including the post-GST implementation deeply personal for those who knew him in Rajkot out of 242 passengers and crew on board. The Air
period and COVID-19 crisis. His initiatives, in- and Ahmedabad. Kiranben, a neighbour, struggled India Dreamliner, piloted by an experienced crew,
cluding the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan to con- to accept the reality: “It still feels as if he is with us. crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s
serve water and the Gyan Kunj project to mod- We celebrated every festival together. His memo- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport,
ernize schools, are considered key achievements ries will always stay with us.” Dr. Nayan Shah, his slamming into a residential building near the air-
in Gujarat’s developmental journey. As Prime family doctor and neighbour for 35 years, shared, port perimeter.
Minister Modi noted, Rupani’s legacy spans his “Through good and bad times, he was always pres- Only one person survived the crash—Vish-
roles in municipal governance, the state cabinet, ent—calm, caring, and dignified.” washkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian
and the Rajya Sabha. Rupani was also entrusted with responsibilities origin seated just behind an emergency exit. Inves-
Condolences poured in from across the polit- beyond Gujarat. At the time of his death, he was tigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation
ical spectrum. BJP President JP Nadda described the BJP’s in-charge for Punjab—an acknowledg- Bureau (AAIB) and Ministry of Civil Aviation are
Rupani as a “true soldier of the BJP and a dutiful ment of the central leadership’s trust in his organi- currently analysing the flight’s black box and other
public servant.” Nadda added, “His thoughts and zational capabilities and temperament. data to determine the cause.
work in the development and public service of Gu- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who Vijay Rupani’s journey—from a grassroots
jarat will always be remembered. His demise is an succeeded Rupani, paid tribute on social media, worker to Gujarat’s top administrator—epito-
irreparable loss for the BJP family.” highlighting his predecessor’s “transparent and de- mized political integrity and calm efficiency. In an
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed these cisive leadership.” Patel noted that Rupani’s con- age of noisy politics, he stood out as a man of qui-
sentiments, calling Rupani “a grassroots leader tributions to Gujarat’s all-round development and et conviction. His passing leaves a void not just in
who devoted his life to the development and wel- his grassroots work in organizations like the Akhil Gujarat’s political landscape but also in the lives of
fare of his state.” Arunachal Pradesh Chief Min- Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad would be remem- those who admired his humility and service.
ister Pema Khandu called him “a visionary leader bered for generations. In this hour of collective grief, the legacy of Vi-
known for humility and unwavering commitment.” Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi added jaybhai Rupani—as a consensus-builder, policy ex-
Former Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala said his voice to the condolences, describing Rupani as ecutor, and selfless worker—will endure in the an-
Rupani was “a man with no enemies who stayed “one of the most capable Chief Ministers of Guja- nals of Gujarat’s political history. As his party, peers,
away from controversial politics.” rat.” He also stressed the importance of a thorough and people mourn him, one sentiment remains
Beyond the corridors of power, the loss was probe into the crash, which claimed the lives of 241 universal: he left too soon, but he left with dignity.

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