At the Umiya Mata temple in Gandhinagar, sorrow weighed heavily on the grieving faces of family and friends who gathered to bid farewell to 21-year-old Deepanshi Bhadouriya, one of the victims of the tragic AI 171 crash.
Deepanshi, a law student at Exeter University in the UK, had only extended her stay in India to celebrate her parents’ wedding anniversary. She had originally been scheduled to return to London on May 20, but pushed her departure to June 12 to spend June 11 — her parents’ special day — with them.
The daughter of Deputy Superintendent of Police S S Bhadouriya, Deepanshi had flown home on March 27 to surprise her father on his birthday. A gifted student, she had represented her college in six countries and was even sponsored by her university to go skydiving in Dubai at the age of 20.
“She was the pride of her family, especially her younger brother Shaurya. She promised her father, ‘Papa, once I complete my studies, you can leave your job. I will take care of everything,’” recalled a close family friend, his voice choked with emotion.
On the evening of June 11, the family had gathered to celebrate. It was a day full of joy, laughter, and love. Hours later, everything changed.
At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Deepanshi took a final selfie with her parents before boarding Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Minutes after take-off, the aircraft carrying 242 passengers crashed into the Atulyam residential complex in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad.
By the time the family reached home, the news had already reached them — a devastating blow no parent should ever endure.
“She was bold, cheerful, and her father’s strength,” said another friend. “This loss is beyond words.”