For former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, '1206' was not just a number; it symbolized good fortune and auspiciousness. This number adorned the license plates of all his vehicles, from scooters to cars.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: The untimely death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has shocked the nation. He perished in the crash of Air India flight AI-171 on June 12th, 2025, en route from Ahmedabad to London. The accident claimed the lives of 240 passengers and crew members, including Rupani.
This devastating crash not only shook the country but also revealed a tragic coincidence—'1206', considered Rupani's lucky number, became the date of his death.
When '1206' Turned from Lucky to Tragic
Vijay Rupani had considered 1206 his lucky number for years. His personal car, scooter, and even many of his documents and digital passwords were based on this number. It represented stability and success in his life. However, fate took a cruel turn, as he embarked on his final journey on 12/06/2025—culminating in the plane crash.
Flight AI-171, departing from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a residential area in the Meghani region just four minutes after takeoff. The crash was so devastating that none of the 240 people on board survived, except for one passenger who miraculously escaped. The accident also resulted in the deaths of 24 local residents.
Vijay Rupani was not alone on the flight; he was traveling to London to meet his wife, who had gone to stay with their daughter the previous month. The trip was originally planned for June 5th, but was postponed until June 12th due to campaigning for the Ludhiana by-election. Little did anyone know that this postponement would become a final, fateful decision.
Mourning in Rajkot, Remembering 'Vijaybhai'
Rajkot, considered Vijay Rupani's home, was plunged into deep mourning upon the news of his death. Silence descended upon the streets, and discussions of 'Vijaybhai' filled every neighborhood. Sanjay Mehta, a local resident, said, "He was our neighbor, and despite being a prominent leader, he always treated us like ordinary people."
During Vijay Rupani's tenure, Rajkot received a new airport, an AIIMS hospital, and several other crucial development projects. Regardless of political affiliations, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and local organizations offered their condolences.
Life's Journey: From Yangon to Rajkot
Born in Yangon, Myanmar, on August 2nd, 1956, Rupani's family returned to India in 1960. Political instability led them to settle in Rajkot. Beginning his career in student politics during college, he had a long political innings with the BJP. He served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021 and, at the time of his death, was the in-charge of the Punjab BJP.
Shailesh Mandalia, the former CM's personal assistant, stated, "I dropped him off at the airport. Minutes later, I received a call that the flight had crashed. It was incredibly hard to believe."
