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Ahmedabad, June 14, 2025 — The Thakur family, who have served home-cooked meals to students and resident doctors at BJ Medical College (BJMC) for years, are living through a nightmare after Air India Flight AI-171 crashed into the college’s hostel on June 12, leaving their lives in tatters.
According to reports, 55-year-old Sarla Ben and her two-year-old granddaughter were inside the mess hall, feeding students, when the disaster struck. Since then, there has been no trace of the two, and the family has spent nearly 24 hours searching the campus, desperate for any news.
Ravi Bhai Thakur, Sarla’s son and the toddler’s father, described the family’s devastation: “Pura parivar ujhad gaya… Kya hoga maa aur beti ke bina?” (“The family has been destroyed. What will we do without mother and daughter?”). The Thakurs run a small tiffin service, a job they have undertaken with pride, and Sarla was known for always bringing her granddaughter along as she delivered meals.
On the day of the crash, students and doctors were eating in the mess hall when the plane plummeted into the building. Images from the site show charred lunch trays among the debris, a grim reminder of the lives lost and disrupted.
With most bodies burned beyond recognition, authorities have begun DNA testing to identify victims. The Thakur family has provided samples and now faces an agonizing 72-hour wait for results. “We’ve posted their pictures. We’ve asked everyone. We’ve waited. But no one can tell us if they’re alive or gone,” said Ravi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that nearly 1,000 samples will be required to identify all victims.
The tragedy has left a deep scar on BJMC, with confirmed deaths among resident doctors, five medical students, and civilians like Sarla and her granddaughter. Ground casualties such as the Thakurs are often overlooked in official counts, but their loss is felt just as keenly by those who knew them.
“We built our lives around this college,” said Uma Ben, Sarla’s daughter. “She wasn’t just a cook. She was part of this place.”
As the family continues to wait, they say they have received no information—only instructions to wait.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information from published reports as of June 13, 2025. The details may be updated as official investigations and identification processes continue. The identities and fates of the missing individuals are subject to confirmation by the authorities. This article does not intend to speculate on the outcome of ongoing procedures.
