Latest news with #Anil
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Indian Express
Air India 171 crash: Last DNA match day after family holds symbolic funeral
Friday marked Ashadhi Beej, when Kutchhis celebrate their new year. But the Khimani family was grieving. They were grieving the loss of their loved one, Anil Khimani (32), who was on the London-bound AI 171 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. They were also grieving because his was the only body among the 241 dead that had not yet been identified through a DNA match. Searching for 'closure' and to 'overcome the guilt' of not being able to bid a respectful farewell, the Khimanis held a 'symbolic' funeral at Dahinsara, their village in Bhuj, on Thursday followed by a prayer meeting on Friday. Hours after the prayer was held, however, a senior government official told The Indian Express that they were finally able to find a DNA match and identify Anil's body. 'Multiple rounds of processing for DNA extraction were undertaken, considering that the sample was too degraded with charring… But eventually, it was matched. The family will be informed, the DNA match will give them final closure,' the official said. Speaking to The Indian Express earlier Friday, Anil's older brother Rakesh said 'the reason for organising the symbolic funeral was that two weeks had passed since the crash'. 'The time had surpassed the stipulated window to organise the rituals as per our Swaminarayan traditions. We needed to perform the rituals within 12 days… His wife and family remained in hope that he, too, may have survived the crash… But the truth is bitter and we have to accept that no one else was lucky. It is all fate and God's will,' he said. 'There is no use of living in denial. He has two young children, whose future could be secured with the compensation money that has been promised but the person has been lost forever,' Rakesh said. Anil was a tile setter known for his 'skill' and 'precision'. Booked on Seat 21G, he was travelling to the UK for the first time, on an invitation from 'distant relatives' for six months. 'This was his first trip to London. He used to work in Seychelles before moving back to India and joining our family's maintenance business. Over the past few years, he mastered the skill of laying tiles… He was looking forward to making the most of the UK trip by exploring possibilities for a future move as well,' Rakesh said. Survived by his parents, wife and two daughters — one aged five years and the other a newborn of five months — Anil was the second among three siblings. His younger sister is settled in Uganda. On Thursday, as his family members organised the funeral at the local crematorium and the prayer meeting a day later at the Swaminarayan temple in Dahinsara, residents from the mixed neighbourhood gathered in large numbers to share their grief. In Ahmedabad, meanwhile, the body of British citizen Fiongal Cuchullain Greenlaw, the co-founder of Wellness Foundry, was handed over to his family members at the mortuary complex of the Civil Hospital. The body of his partner Jamie Ray Meek had been identified and handed over earlier. — With ENS, Ahmedabad
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Delhi CNG pump owner robbed at farmhouse of Rs 30 lakh: Victim's drivers among 4 arrested
Three days after a CNG pump chain owner was robbed of Rs 30 lakh, the Delhi Police arrested four men — including two of the victim's drivers. The two drivers — Satendar Singh, 35, and Anil, 54 — and their accomplices, Santosh Tripathi, 40, and Shammi, 49, were arrested from different parts of Delhi where they had fled to evade capture. The incident took place on Monday night when the victim, Karan Chopra, was with his family at his farmhouse in Ghitorni. A man posing as a delivery boy knocked on his door. As soon as Chopra opened the gate, he was pushed aside by the accused while three more men entered his house, police had said earlier. 'They told him that they have guns. They told him to stay calm, and let them leave with the cash. They took whatever money and jewellery was at the farmhouse. Then they took Chopra to his office on MG Road in Gurgaon in his own car to take out more cash,' a police officer had said. Following the arrests, police said a total of Rs 6.6 lakh of the stolen amount has been recovered from the four accused — Rs 3.15 lakh from Satendar; Rs 95,000 from Anil; Rs 1.95 lakh from Santosh; and Rs 10,000 from Shammi. Police said the two drivers, who were arrested late Wednesday, were the brains behind the whole operation. 'The two knew everything about the amount of cash that was kept at both the victim's house and his office. They called in the other two accused to help pull off the robbery for a fraction of the proceeds,' DCP (Southwest Delhi) Amit Goel said. After questioning Satendar and Anil, police arrested the other two accused on Thursday morning. 'Attempts to recover the rest of the stolen amount are being made,' a police official said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Encroachments removed in police presence
Jaipur: Jaipur Development Authority conducted an eviction drive Wednesday near Vidhyadhar Nagar Sector 8 bus stand. "We removed a few sideway shops with tin sheds, tables, and chairs, and razed a few illegal permanent platforms and stairs encroaching the road," an enforcement wing official said. JDA deployed a huge team led by enforcement officials from five zones. A contingent from the local police station and additional force from Jaipur Commissionerate were pressed into action. Officials said the earlier encroachment drive was cancelled after locals protested. "There was not much resistance, and we managed to clear the encroachments," another official added. Alongside, JDA removed encroachments from govt land in Manpura. It also demolished an illegal under-construction colony in Amber near the Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium. tnn
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Wayanad landslide: Son's plea to collector for mother's reburial ignored
Kozhikode: Every time Chooralmala-native Anil visits the mass graveyard at Puthumala to offer tributes to his mother, one of the victims of the devastating Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide, he prays at two tombs as her mortal remains were buried in two separate graves. For the past eight months, Anil, of Mullath Theruvu house, has been pleading with authorities to shift the remains of his mother Rajamma, 63, to a single grave. Despite repeated visits to the district collectorate, his requests remain unaddressed. Anil said that Rajamma's remains were recovered from Nilambur four days after the landslide. As the body could not be identified, the remains were interred at the Puthumala mass grave meant for landslide victims. The DNA examination of the samples later revealed that the body parts were buried separately in two graves. You Can Also Check: Kozhikode AQI | Weather in Kozhikode | Bank Holidays in Kozhikode | Public Holidays in Kozhikode "The remains of my mother now lie in the graves marked N-34 and N-213. I have been visiting the district collectorate at least 2-3 times every month with the request to shift the remains to one grave. As her son, I feel it's my responsibility to ensure that she rests in peace, in one place. Despite assurances, nothing has moved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compara los productos más populares con nuestros reviews Mandarina - Tráfico Haz clic aquí Undo The thought of my mother's body laying in separate graves is very disturbing," said Anil. He said officials have been citing preoccupation with post-disaster rehabilitation, including ongoing work of the proposed township, adding that two months have passed after giving that excuse. "I urged them to complete the reburial before monsoon began, as it would be difficult once rain sets in. But now, we are well into the monsoon months, and still nothing has been done," he said. Though authorities have been promising that it would be done at the earliest, the issue remains unaddressed so far, he added. Meanwhile, district collectorate officials said steps were underway to issue necessary orders to shift the remains to a single grave. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique said the district collector had assured him that the process to enable shifting the remains would start on Tuesday itself. Besides Rajamma, the Wayanad landslide tragedy had claimed the lives of three children of Anil's brother Aneesh and the son of his sister Parvathy.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Queer Fiesta 2025 brings pride, performance and community together
Rohan Dutta Colour, music, and self-expression filled Phoenix Arena on Sunday as the sixth edition of Queer Fiesta unfolded, drawing more than 800 people from Hyderabad and nearby cities. Organised by Mobbera Foundation in collaboration with Pride Fund, the event stood out as one of the city's biggest Pride Month gatherings this year. Queer Fiesta has become an annual celebration of queer creativity, entrepreneurship and visibility. This year carried extra significance as Mobbera Foundation marked its tenth anniversary of activism and community building. Reflecting on this journey, Mobbera president Anil said the city had witnessed remarkable change in the past decade. From the fear of Section 377 to trans-persons facing police harassment, the community has seen struggle and discrimination. 'Today the same Hyderabad police is recruiting transpersons. This is real change and this year we are celebrating that transformation,' they said. Anil added that Queer Fiesta symbolises unity that cuts across religion, caste, gender and politics, a gathering where the LGBTQIA+ community could freely eat, shop, perform and assert its presence. 'We are not a minuscule minority that you can ignore anymore,' he said. 'Every June, we bring together queer artists and entrepreneurs to create this space. It is more than celebration, it is about visibility, belonging and pride,' said Sandy, former president of Mobbera Foundation. The festival featured 22 stalls offering art, pottery, fashion and accessories, alongside 16 stage performances that spanned drag, classical and tribal dance, poetry and music. Hyderabad's celebrated drag performer and classical dancer Patruni Sastry headlined the show, blending tradition with drag to loud cheers from the crowd. Other performers - Harsha Maheshwari, Chandu, Khemaya, Ayna, Lucky Naini, Satya and Sridhar - added to the vibrant lineup. For many stall owners, the event was not just a marketplace but a space for connection and visibility. 'It is not just selling, it is connecting with the community,' said Nitin of Soma Pottery, who showcased handcrafted ceramics. The open-air arena was lively with stalls on all sides and a central stage where classical dancers and poets performed. Queer attendees and allies mingled freely, enjoying the inclusive atmosphere. 'This is my fifth year at Queer Fiesta. I keep coming back because here I can truly be myself,' said one regular visitor. Another added, 'It is clearly bigger this year, a lot more people, like hundreds more. It is my second visit here and the difference is amazing.' As the sun set on Phoenix Arena, Queer Fiesta 2025 stood out as a space of joy, freedom and unity, a growing symbol of Hyderabad's thriving queer culture. (The writer is an intern at The Hindu)
