What was supposed to be the beginning of a beautiful new chapter turned into an unimaginable tragedy for a family from Rajasthan. Among the victims of the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad was a family of five, two dedicated doctors and their three young children, who were on their way to start a new life in London.
Image credits: The Skin Doctor (X)
Dr Pratik Joshi and Dr Kamini Joshi had long dreamed of building a future together abroad. Dr Pratik had moved to London in 2016 to explore better opportunities, while Dr Kamini, still serving at Udaipur Medical College, was preparing to join him for good. The plan was finally coming together. She was ready to leave her job, and they had their one-way tickets in hand—London was waiting.
A fresh start, only to end mid air
With them were their three children, including their lively twin sons, Nakul and Pradyut. It was meant to be a fresh start, a family reunited, a future rebuilt. But in the blink of an eye, all of it was gone.
The crash not only claimed their lives but left two towns shattered. Banswara, where Dr Pratik’s family lived, and Udaipur, where Dr Kamini’s colleagues and students are now mourning the loss of a respected and compassionate doctor.
Image credits: FMT
Back in Banswara, relatives and neighbours still find it hard to accept the news. Friends recall how excited the family was about their new life. Dr Kamini had been wrapping up her work commitments, and their children were already looking forward to their new school and home in the UK.
“This was not just a trip. It was their leap of faith,for a better future, for a life of togetherness,” said a family friend, his voice breaking.
As families gather to grieve, light candles, and flip through old photos, the pain is still raw. For the Joshi family and many others, this was supposed to be a journey of hope. Instead, it became a final farewell.
One of India’s deadliest crash
The Air India Flight AI‑171 tragedy has been marked as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history. On June 12, 2025, the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, plummeting into a hostel and several buildings near B.J. Medical College.
Image credits: ABC News
The crash claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 people onboard, including passengers from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada, along with 24 to 28 individuals on the ground. Shockingly, only one person—a British-Indian man—survived the disaster after being thrown from the wreckage. Eyewitness footage showed the plane initially climbing before leveling off and nosediving, followed by explosions and fire. Pilots had issued a “MAYDAY” call shortly before impact.
Investigations still ongoing
Preliminary investigations point to a possible configuration error during takeoff, with the landing gear still down and flaps extended, which may have caused the aircraft to lose lift. Rescue efforts involved multiple emergency units, including the army and special forces. One black box has been recovered as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) leads the investigation with support from Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. In the wake of the crash, Boeing’s stock dropped significantly, and Indian authorities are reportedly considering grounding Air India’s entire 787 fleet until further notice. The disaster has prompted global concern and sorrow, with tributes pouring in for the victims.
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