A year after the Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives, grieving families are still waiting for answers, with investigators yet to release the final probe report on what caused the disaster.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released an interim report in July last year, giving no reason for the crash, though a paragraph in it suggested that fuel switches of the plane’s engines got cut off after takeoff.

For many families, the wait has been agonising. They cling to memories of loved ones lost in the tragedy while struggling with unanswered questions. With no conclusive report, their grief has compounded, leaving them without closure or clarity about why the accident happened.

A lawyer with a US-based law firm representing more than 130 victim families from India and the UK has requested the central government to release the flight’s technical data, saying the information is crucial for those seeking justice and pursuing legal remedies.

Under international aviation rules, a final accident report is expected within a year if possible; if that is not completed, an interim statement can be issued. On May 8, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the investigation into the tragic crash was in the last stages and the report was likely within a month.

“The crash investigation is in the final stage and could even be completed in a month. However, the investigation is being done by the AAIB and we don’t interfere in it. We are giving them all the resources they need,” he said. Federation of Indian Pilots president C S Randhawa on Thursday said they want the AAIB to release the final report only after completing a comprehensive investigation.

Referring to media reports suggesting the AAIB may soon issue an interim report, Randhawa said such a move would create further confusion and speculation.

“If there is no conclusion from the investigation, releasing an interim report will only lead to more misunderstandings,” he said.

The London-bound AI-171 flight crashed on June 12 afternoon last year, killing 260 persons, including 241passengers and crew members and 19 persons on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was one among those killed in the incident. The plane crashed on a hostel complex of BJ Medical College 32 seconds after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad.

Mike Andrews, lawyer of US-based law firm Beasley Allen representing over 130 victim families from India and the UK, has also demanded release of technical data about the flight from the central government so that families can pursue legal options.

“I appeal to the Indian government to release the FDR (Flight Data Recorder) data so that our experts can conduct an independent evaluation. I think the most important thing these families can have is transparency,” Andrews told PTI during his visit to Ahmedabad in December last year.

“Legal options, such as a product liability suit to be filed in the US, are based on the data we get and what investigations reveal,” he had said. Families of the victims have also sought the final investigation report and technical data from the flight data recorder.

In April this year, 10 months after the tragedy, families of 30 victims from across Gujarat met in Ahmedabad and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the release of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and black box data to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. They also demanded that the investigation be concluded at the earliest. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.

The high-level meeting brought together Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories, Union Ministers serving as ex officio members, along with special invitees. The Vice Chairman, members, and Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog are also present.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are also present at the meeting.

Several Chief Ministers, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bihar’s Samrat Choudhary, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, also participated in the meeting.

Newly elected Chief Ministers and leaders, including West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar and Keralam CM VD Satheesan, are also present in the meeting.

According to a statement by the NITI Aayog, this year’s theme is “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047”, which will emphasise the well-being and development of all citizens, regardless of age, region, gender, or socio-economic background.

Additionally, PM Modi will discuss measures for promoting entrepreneurship, skill enhancement, and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the country.

The Inclusive Human Development Framework is anchored around four core pillars, foundational human capital and future-ready skills; productive employment, entrepreneurship and decentralised growth; health, nutrition and wellbeing; and equity and dignity for all, the press release said.

The discussions will further focus on collectively charting an Implementation Roadmap that leverages key enablers, including Governance, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Convergence, Partnerships, and Data-driven Systems, alongside a structured mechanism to track short, medium, and long-term outcomes, ensuring accountability and measurable impact. A key thrust will be on aligning State Visions with the National Vision on Inclusive Human Development, reinforcing a unified and collaborative approach toward equitable and sustainable growth.

The Governing Council of NITI Aayog will also focus on the recommendations of the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries held from December 26 to 28, 2025. Recommendations were made during 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries on the following five key themes: (i) Early Childhood Education: Laying the Foundation; (ii) Schooling: Building Blocks; (iii) Skilling: Future-Ready Workforce; (iv) Higher Education: Knowledge Economy; and (v) Sports & Extracurricular: Beyond Classrooms. (Agencies)

BJP leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has claimed that he knows a lot about alleged misuse and theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya but said he was not in a position to reveal the truth at present.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Vishnoharpur on Wednesday, Singh said, “I am a very weak person. If I speak the truth, I will get into trouble because they are very powerful people. I do not have the courage to speak the truth right now. If the time comes, I will speak.”

He did not specify whom he referred to as “they”.

Singh’s remarks come amid a raging row over alleged embezzlement of funds donated at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Singh, who returned to his village after a 10-day stay in Delhi, said he had been facing several difficult situations in recent times.

Regarding the 2023 controversy over allegations by women wrestlers, Singh said he had been dealing with the circumstances arising from the matter for a long time.

On alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations, including NEET, Singh defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying the minister’s resignation would not solve the problem.

He said an organised network involving officials and employees at different levels was responsible for paper leaks and strict action against those involved was necessary to curb such incidents. (Agencies)

A cross-border drug smuggling cartel has been dismantled with the arrest of six persons and recovery of over 30 kg of heroin, a top Punjab Police officer said on Thursday.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were linked to a Dubai-based smuggler, who was facilitating the supply of heroin consignments from across the border, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.

An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Chheharta police station in Amritsar.

Further investigation is underway to establish backward and forward linkages, identify other associates involved in the network, trace the financial trail, and uncover possible hawala connections, he said. (Agencies)

In a significant step towards strengthening India’s aromatic crop value chain and promoting botanical wellness products, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ambrosia Botanicals, a Gurugram-based luxury botanical wellness company.Jammu regional news

The collaboration aims to create a robust framework for research, quality standardization, value addition and market development of aromatic crops and essential oils, while opening new commercial opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders associated with the sector.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Pratiba S. Kedia, Founder and Chief Formulator, Ambrosia Botanicals.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will work together on collaborative and sponsored research projects, scientific validation of botanical products and formulations, exchange of technical expertise, and development of value-added products derived from aromatic crops.

The partnership will also focus on strengthening the objectives of CSIR’s Aroma Mission by enhancing market linkages and improving the commercial utilization of aromatic produce.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the partnership reflects the institute’s continued commitment to translating scientific research into market-driven solutions that benefit farmers, industry and consumers alike.

“CSIR-IIIM has been at the forefront of promoting aromatic crops and essential oil-based enterprises through the Aroma Mission. This collaboration will help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and market requirements. By combining our research expertise with industry insights, we aim to develop high-quality, value-added botanical products, strengthen quality standards and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for growers associated with aromatic crops,” Dr. Ahmed said.

He further noted that the collaboration would contribute to expanding the reach of Indian aromatic products in domestic and international markets while encouraging innovation in the botanical wellness sector.

As per the MoU, CSIR-IIIM will provide scientific and technical support for evaluation, optimization and validation of products and formulations. The institute will also undertake analytical, quality, safety and stability assessments wherever required and feasible. Subject to resource availability, the institute may also facilitate the development and supply of botanical materials, extracts and other natural products for collaborative research activities.

Ambrosia Botanicals, on the other hand, will contribute market intelligence, product concepts, formulation inputs and commercialization strategies. The company will identify emerging market opportunities and facilitate licensing and commercialization of products developed through the collaboration, as per mutually agreed project-specific arrangements.

The MoU also provides for joint research projects, exchange of scientific personnel and technical information, capacity-building programmes, technology dissemination activities and development of annual work plans to identify priority areas of cooperation. The MoU will remain in force for a period of five years and may be renewed by mutual consent.

Among those present during the signing ceremony were Dr. Tasduq Abdullah, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-IIIM; Dr. Suphla B. Gupta Scientist-F, Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division (PSA), CSIR-IIIM; Dr. Saurabh Saran, Scientist-F, Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology Division and Principal Investigator, IIIM-Technology Business Incubator, Dr. Mir Asrar, Scientist, CSIR-IIIM and Sandeep Kedia, Business Development, Ambrosia Botanicals.