Thoubal / Kangpokpi / Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam had simply grew to become 21. Barely a yr into her task as a cabin workforce member, she had began to style the liberty and pleasure she had dreamed of since formative years. Her voice, stuffed with laughter, echoed via her circle of relatives’s small house in Manipur’s Thoubal district. It had simplest been a couple of months since she joined Air India, and Thursday (June 12) morning was once simply every other responsibility name. At least, it appeared that means.
By afternoon, her title was once at the record of the workforce contributors aboard Air India flight 171 – the one who crashed outdoor Ahmedabad’s airport, bursting into flames. The airplane by no means left town’s skies.
Her father, Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, were given the scoop from a cell notification. “We have now not heard the rest from Air India. No affirmation. No readability. We are nonetheless hoping she is alive. I nonetheless consider in destiny. I nonetheless consider perhaps… perhaps she was once pulled out. Maybe she survived,” he instructed ANI, his voice heavy, every sentence interrupted by means of silence.
Nganthoi’s cousin, Khenjita, attempted the whole lot. She known as hospitals, checked with native government and waited for an legit record of survivors. Nothing got here. “We are devastated. But we still hope. Until we know for sure,” she mentioned overdue Thursday night time, retaining on to at least one remaining thread.
The circle of relatives had now not slept. Calls had been made. Messages despatched. All unanswered.
At the opposite finish of Manipur, in Kangpokpi district, every other circle of relatives sat in surprised silence. 28-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, every other cabin workforce member on board the similar flight, had now not been reachable for the reason that crash. Her circle of relatives, displaced by means of remaining yr’s ethnic violence, had simplest not too long ago discovered balance. Now, there may be simplest silence once more.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote on X, “It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in today’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Both were full of life, serving with dedication and pride…”
It is heartbreaking to proportion that two younger cabin workforce contributors from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, had been amongst those that misplaced their lives in these days’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Both had been vigorous, serving with determination and satisfaction. Their… pic.twitter.com/j6QIslighu
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 12, 2025
That crash has taken greater than lives. It has taken hopes, futures and guarantees but to be fulfilled.
The airplane, a Boeing 787-8, was once wearing 242 passengers and 12 workforce contributors when it crashed right into a medical doctors’ hostel close to the airport in a while after takeoff. Only one particular person, by means of some miracle, survived. Officials say it was once a technical failure, however an investigation remains to be underway.
The two younger ladies from Manipur had been greater than workforce contributors. They had been symbols of hope. One got here from a valley the town. The different from conflict-hit hills. One was once Meitei. The different, Kuki. In a state torn by means of department, they wore the similar uniform, served the similar flight and shared the similar destiny. Their households look forward to closure, our bodies and solutions.
In that silence, just one factor rings transparent – each ladies had desires that reached for the sky. That sky gave no go back.