By: Abdullahi Inuwa
UDAIPUR, INDIA — What was meant to be the beginning of a new chapter turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Pratik Joshi, a 38-year-old software professional who had been living in London for the past six years, was finally ready to reunite with his family and start life afresh in the UK. On Wednesday morning, that long-cherished dream was shattered when Air India Flight 171, en route from Mumbai to London, crashed shortly after takeoff. All passengers and crew on board perished. Among them were Joshi, his wife, and their three young children.
Just two days ago, his wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, a respected physician in Udaipur, had resigned from her post at a local hospital after more than a decade of service. The couple had spent years navigating immigration processes and professional responsibilities to make this move possible. Friends and colleagues had bid the family farewell amid tears, hugs, and blessings. Their house in Udaipur was emptied, their belongings packed, and every detail had been planned to begin a new life abroad.
The family—bright-eyed and full of hope—boarded their one-way flight to London in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Before takeoff, they snapped a selfie, smiling wide, and sent it to loved ones with a caption: “Off to new beginnings. London, here we come!”
But that hopeful message would be the last their relatives would ever receive.
At approximately 6:43 a.m., Flight 171 lost contact with air traffic control. Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site, a remote area outside Nashik. By mid-morning, grim confirmation came: there were no survivors.
The impact of the loss rippled instantly through Udaipur, where Dr. Vyas was widely known for her compassionate service in local government hospitals. “She saved lives every day,” said Dr. Sameer Mehta, a colleague. “It’s cruel and surreal that hers—and her entire family’s—could be taken so suddenly.”
Pratik Joshi’s employers in London, where he worked as a senior engineer with a global tech firm, released a statement: “Pratik was a valued member of our team, known for his brilliance and humility. We are devastated by this news and extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected.”
Neighbors in Udaipur have been gathering outside the Vyas family home since the news broke, offering prayers and support. A candlelight vigil is planned for Thursday night.
In a matter of moments, a lifetime of dreams turned to ash. The tragedy serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life. One moment, a family envisions a bright future; the next, they are gone. Everything built, everything hoped for, everything loved—lost in an instant.
As the world mourns, it also reflects. On love. On dreams. And on the sobering truth that tomorrow is never promised. So while there is still today, live fully, love deeply, and don’t wait for happiness to begin—because every heartbeat is a fragile miracle.
Source: @theskindoctor13
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