Tata Sons has announced the establishment of the AI 171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, a public charitable trust aimed at supporting the victims and those impacted by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad. The trust represents a significant humanitarian response to the incident, with Tata Sons pledging an ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore to the families of each victim.
In a formal statement, Tata Sons confirmed that the trust has been registered in Mumbai and will not only offer immediate assistance but also ensure long-term support to those affected. This includes:
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Families of deceased victims
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Individuals who sustained injuries
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People directly or indirectly impacted by the accident
Additionally, the trust's scope has been expanded to acknowledge and assist first responders, healthcare workers, disaster relief personnel, social workers, and government employees who were involved in the emergency response and recovery efforts.
To fund its extensive philanthropic mandate, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have jointly committed ₹500 crores, contributing ₹250 crores each. The funds will be directed toward:
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Ex gratia payments to victim families
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Medical treatment for the seriously injured
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Rebuilding the BJ Medical College Hostel, which sustained damage during the crash
The trust will be governed by a five-member Board of Trustees. So far, S Padmanabhan, a former Tata Group veteran, and Sidharth Sharma, General Counsel of Tata Sons, have been appointed as the initial trustees. The remaining members will be announced in due course.
Operations of the trust will officially begin once all tax and regulatory approvals are secured.
This initiative highlights Tata Sons’ commitment to responsible corporate citizenship, underlining the group’s legacy of compassionate outreach and structured relief efforts during national crises.
