Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, has said he’s the “luckiest man alive” but highlighted the suffering he continues to endure, both physically and mentally, after the monumental tragedy.
Ramesh, who was seen walking away from the London-bound AI 171 flight’s wreckage after the plane crashed at a medical hostel in Ahmedabad, told the BBC in an interview that he was staying alone and not talking to his wife and son.
Ramesh, a British national, shared the immense pain of surviving while his younger brother Ajay, who was just a few seats away, died in the crash. “I’m the only survivor. Still, I don’t believe it. It’s a miracle,” he said.
The loss of his brother has left a profound void. A teary-eyed Ramesh said, “I lost my brother as well. My brother is my backbone. In the last few years, he has always supported me.”
“Now I’m alone. I just sit in my room alone, not talking with my wife, my son. I just like to be alone in my house,” he added.
Ramesh has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has not received treatment since returning home to Leicester from India, where he was under hospital care.
He said his family had still yet to come to terms with the tragedy and that his younger brother was no longer there.
“For me, after this accident… it’s very difficult, physically and mentally for me and my family. In the past four months, my mum has been sitting every day outside the door, not talking, and doing nothing. I’m not talking to anyone else. I do not like to talk with anyone else. I can’t talk about much. I’m thinking all night, I’m suffering mentally. Every day is painful for the whole family,” he told the BBC.
He described physical injuries from the crash, which involved escaping his seat 11A through an opening in the fuselage. Ongoing pain in his leg, shoulder, knee, and back prevent him from working or driving. “When I walk or can’t walk properly, slowly, slowly, my wife helps,” he added.
Community leader Sanjiv Patel and spokesman Radd Seiger, who are supporting Ramesh, have expressed concern about the lack of ongoing support.
Patel stated, “They’re in crisis, mentally, physically, financially. It’s devastated his family. Whoever’s responsible at the highest level should be on the ground meeting the victims of this tragic event, and understanding their needs to be heard.”
The family-run fishing business in Diu, which Ramesh managed with his brother, has collapsed since the crash, according to his advisers.
Seiger lashed out at Air India, alleging that meeting requests had been “ignored or turned down”.
“It’s appalling that we have to sit here today and put him [Ramesh] through this. The people who should be sitting here today are the executives of Air India, the people responsible for trying to put things right. Please come and sit down with us so that we can work through this together to try and alleviate some of this suffering,” he said.
Air India, which is owned by Tata Group, stated that senior leaders from the company have continued to visit families to express condolences.
The airline said, “An offer has been made to Mr Ramesh’s representatives to arrange such a meeting. We will continue to reach out and we very much hope to receive a positive response.” It also added that this offer was made before Ramesh gave media interviews.
Air India has offered an interim compensation of £21,500 (Rs 25.09 lakh) to Ramesh, which he accepted, but his advisers say it’s insufficient to meet his immediate needs.
