Not just Ahmedabad, a heavy silence blankets the city of Udaipur after the devastating confirmation that siblings Shubh and Shagun Modi were among the victims of the Air India Flight AI171 crash. The young heirs of a respected marble business family had only recently stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, now their dreams lie shattered amidst the wreckage of a journey meant to be joyous.
The flight, en route to London Gatwick, took off from Ahmedabad¡¯s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Within minutes, it crashed, sending shockwaves across the country. On board were 242 individuals, including 12 crew members. Officials have confirmed 170 deaths so far, though all lives are feared lost.
Shubh, aged 24, and his 22-year-old sister Shagun had completed their MBAs and returned to Udaipur with a renewed vision for their family¡¯s marble business. According to relatives, the siblings were taking a short break in London to visit a friend. Their names, passengers 98 and 99, on the official manifest are a cruel reminder of young lives ended too soon.
The Modi residence in Udaipur became the centre of heartbreak and hope as news of the crash filtered in. Family patriarch Pinku Modi, accompanied by relatives, rushed to Ahmedabad, desperately seeking information. Outside their home, stunned neighbours stood in quiet solidarity, awaiting any sliver of good news.
Also from Udaipur district were Vardi Chand Menaria and Prakash Menaria, residents of Rundeda village. Both men, employed as chefs in London, had just concluded a short visit to their homeland. They boarded the same ill-fated flight, preparing to return to work¡ªpassengers 90 and 91 on the list.
Rajasthan¡¯s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma cancelled scheduled engagements to personally monitor the situation. He contacted Udaipur¡¯s District Collector to ensure that support reaches the grieving families without delay.
As the nation processes the horror of one of its worst aviation disasters, Udaipur weeps for four of its own, especially Shubh and Shagun Modi, whose ambitions were just beginning to blossom. Their journey, filled with promise, ended far too soon, leaving behind memories, unanswered questions, and a city in mourning.