The tragic Air India plane crash on Thursday has claimed the lives of 12 individuals from Rajasthan, turning a journey of hope and new beginnings into an unimaginable catastrophe. Among the deceased were a doctor couple from Banswara, their three young children, two sets of siblings, and several others from various parts of the state.
Dr. Prateek Joshi, his wife Dr. Komi Vyas, their daughter Miraya, and twin sons Pradyut and Nakul were on their way to start a new chapter in London. Dr. Prateek had previously gone to London for higher studies and, after three years of establishing himself there, had planned to bring his family to join him. Dr. Komi had recently resigned from her position at Pacific Medical College and Hospital in Udaipur to reunite with her husband and had spoken of her excitement with colleagues just days before the flight.
Family friend and neighbour Lokesh Shukla shared that the couple had spent the past month preparing for their life abroad, shopping together across Udaipur with hopes of raising their children in London. Dr. Prateek’s father, J.P. Joshi, runs a sonography center in Udaipur, and his mother, Dr. Anita Joshi, is also in the medical field. The family was widely respected for their kindness, humility, and strong values, beyond their professional accomplishments.
Other victims from Udaipur included siblings Shubh and Shagun Modi, who were headed to London for a vacation. Also among the deceased were brothers Vardi Chand and Prakash Chandra Menaria, both chefs working in the UK, returning after a family vacation. Payal Khateek, another Udaipur native, was going to London for higher studies.
Khushboo Rajpurohit from Balotra, who had married just five months ago, was on her way to the UK to meet her husband, a doctor working there. Her dreams were also cut short by the tragic incident. From Bikaner, Abhinav Parihar was traveling to the UK on a business trip and was also on the ill-fated flight.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout Rajasthan, especially in cities like Udaipur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, where grieving families are trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. The loss is particularly poignant for the medical community and the close-knit families affected by the tragedy.
Udaipur district officials have confirmed that after DNA identification, the bodies of the victims were expected to arrive by Friday evening, and cremation was scheduled for Saturday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reached out to the affected families with condolences and promised government support during this difficult time.
This heartbreaking incident has not only taken away bright lives but has also left behind a deep void in many communities. Families that were preparing to build a better future are now forced to grapple with devastating grief and loss. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of fate.
