The Dream of a Whole Family Turned to Ashes on Air India’s Fateful Flight — And Novak Djokovic’s Response Has Moved the World
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad, India, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. Among the 242 passengers were a family of five, filled with hope for a new chapter in their lives. Tragically, less than a minute after takeoff, the plane crashed into a medical college hostel, bursting into flames and claiming 241 lives on board and dozens more on the ground. Only one person survived: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen seated in 11A, an emergency exit row. Devastatingly, Ramesh’s entire family—his wife, two children, and brother Ajay—perished in the inferno.
The crash left Ramesh as the sole survivor, a man who walked away from the wreckage with minor physical injuries but an unimaginable emotional burden. Video footage of him, bloodied and limping, emerging from the flames went viral, capturing the world’s attention. Ramesh later recounted the harrowing moments: the plane felt “stuck” seconds after takeoff, lights flickered, and then it slammed into a building. He escaped through a rupture in the fuselage near his seat, but his desperate attempt to return to the burning wreckage to save his family was in vain.
Ramesh, a native of Diu, India, who had lived in the UK since 2003, was returning from a family vacation. His brother Ajay, seated in 11J, was among the victims. Days after being discharged from Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, Ramesh carried his brother’s coffin in a rain-soaked funeral procession in Diu, joined by mourners grieving the loss of 14 others from the town. The image of a grieving Ramesh, shouldering his brother’s final journey, struck a chord globally.
As news of Ramesh’s unimaginable loss spread, it reached Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend known for his compassion off the court. Djokovic, who was preparing for an upcoming tournament, paused to address the tragedy in a heartfelt statement that resonated worldwide. In a video posted on his social media, he expressed profound sorrow for Ramesh’s loss, saying, “No words can ease the pain of losing your entire family, but Vishwash, you are not alone. Your strength inspires us all.” Djokovic announced he would dedicate his next match to the victims of Flight AI171 and pledged to donate his prize money to a fund supporting Ramesh and the affected families. He also invited Ramesh to attend a future match as his guest, a gesture of solidarity that moved fans and sparked widespread praise.
The tennis star’s response ignited a global outpouring of support. Social media platforms buzzed with messages of admiration for Djokovic’s empathy and calls for others to contribute to relief efforts. Celebrities, athletes, and ordinary people shared Ramesh’s story, amplifying the tragedy and Djokovic’s gesture. A crowdfunding campaign for Ramesh, boosted by Djokovic’s endorsement, raised significant funds to help him rebuild his life.
Meanwhile, investigations into the crash continue. India’s aviation regulator found no major safety flaws in Air India’s Dreamliners but flagged maintenance and coordination issues. The black box and flight data suggest a possible dual engine failure, with the pilot’s final words—“Thrust not achieved … falling … Mayday!”—revealing the desperate moments before impact.
For Ramesh, the road ahead is one of profound grief. Yet, in his darkest hour, the world’s response, led by Djokovic’s compassion, offers a glimmer of hope. As he mourns his family, Ramesh’s story reminds us of the fragility of life and the power of human kindness to shine through even the deepest tragedy.
