Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:45:50 +0000
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That coming together can happen across continents, between people who have never met face to face. A report in this paper tells the story of a friendship forged in the fires of the Air India tragedy of June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers. Savdhanbhai Chaudhary, a farmer in Gujarat, had lost both his son, Kamlesh, and his daughter-in-law, Dhapuben, in the crash. Omar Ali, Kamlesh’s Pakistani coworker at a fancy goods store in London was asked by their boss to reach out to Kamlesh’s family. He phoned Savdhanbhai, listened to his tears, and said he would call again. Now, Savdhanbhai and his wife Ratniben wait for Omar’s call at 3 pm every day. He asks about Savdhanbhai’s younger son, his lunch, and even his infected toenail.
The eve of the tragedy’s anniversary is an apt moment to reflect not only on causes and accountability but also on how the bereaved can put their lives back together. For at least one family, an unlikely friendship, born when sorrow met empathy, has been a source of strength. What it takes is for someone to keep asking, as Omar does daily, “Kaise ho aap?”