A single photograph, taken moments before takeoff, now serves as a haunting reminder of a future that never arrived. Captured inside Air India’s London-bound flight AI-171, the smiling selfie of Dr. Pratik Joshi, his wife Dr. Komi Vyas, and their three children radiated hope, dreams, and the promise of reunion. What was meant to be the beginning of a new chapter ended in tragedy, as the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard—including 229 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one person survived.
Among the victims, the story of the Joshi-Vyas family has resonated deeply in the communities of Udaipur and Banswara in Rajasthan, from where the couple hailed. The crash not only stunned the aviation industry but also left an irreparable void in the lives of those who knew the couple—described as warm, ambitious, and deeply respected.
Dr. Pratik Joshi had been living in London for six years, where he had built a successful career as a radiologist. His wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, had recently resigned from her position as a physician at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur, planning to join her husband abroad with their children—eight-year-old daughter Miraya and five-year-old twin sons, Nakul and Pradyut.
A spokesperson from Pacific Hospital confirmed to NDTV, “Komi had quit her job recently to join her husband in London.”
According to family members, the couple had been married for about ten years. Dr. Joshi had returned to India just three days before the flight, to travel back to the UK with his wife and children. For weeks, Komi had been eagerly preparing for the move, excited to finally bring the family together after years of long-distance separation.
“She had been staying in Banswara because the kids’ visas were still being processed,” said her cousin, Nayan Joshi.
While she had earlier lived in Udaipur with the children for their schooling, Komi had recently shifted to Banswara to wait for the final visa approvals. On Wednesday, the family travelled to Ahmedabad for the flight, accompanied by several relatives who came to the airport to see them off—unaware that it would be their final goodbye.
Dr. Joshi came from a family known for its excellence in both medicine and engineering. His father ran a reputed sonography centre in Udaipur, and his sister is an engineer.
A close family friend, speaking to News18, remembered the couple as “a warm, aspirational couple who wanted the best for their children.” Neighbours and friends echoed similar sentiments, describing the family as a source of inspiration, known for their values, professional dedication, and strong bond.
The now-viral selfie shows the couple seated on one side of the aisle, smiling, while their three children face them from across the seats, mirroring their joy. The image has since come to symbolize the fragility of life and the unforgiving unpredictability of fate.
Aviation experts say the aircraft was airborne for barely 32 seconds before it began an uncontrolled descent, ultimately erupting into flames near Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar at around 1:38 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane appeared to struggle to gain altitude. Preliminary assessments point toward a possible engine failure that may have prevented the aircraft from achieving sufficient lift.
The crash has sparked fresh scrutiny of airline safety protocols and emergency response mechanisms. While investigations into the technical failures are ongoing, what remains clear is the devastating human cost.
Authorities have so far confirmed that eleven people from Rajasthan were among the deceased. Dr. Komi Vyas is survived by two sisters and a brother.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma described the incident as “extremely sad and worrying,” while former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called it “heartbreaking.”
