NEW DELHI: Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the Ahmedabad Air India 171 plane crash, was widely respected not just for his leadership but also for his simple and austere lifestyle. An old video from 2017 has resurfaced, showing Rupani removing the red beacon from his official vehicle — a symbolic gesture that reflected his commitment to humility and the government's push against VIP culture.At that time, the Gujarat government had moved swiftly to ban the use of red beacons for VIP vehicles, following new directives from the central government aimed at curbing privilege and promoting equality on the roads. Rupani’s decision to remove the beacon himself, rather than delegating the task, highlighted his straightforward approach to governance.While attending a program in Valsad, Rupani also instructed the police not to halt traffic for his convoy.The Narendra Modi government had mandated that no VIP or dignitary — including the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, and chief ministers — would be permitted to use red beacons on their cars. Only emergency vehicles are allowed sirens to navigate traffic swiftly.
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