A Patna resident Manisha Thapa was one of the cabin crew members travelling in Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London carrying 242 people that crashed shortly after take off on Thursday (June 12, 2025) afternoon.
Air India already confirmed that 241 out of 242 people aboard the flight have died.
Manisha’s family lives in Mahua Bagh at Jagdeo Path in Patna. Soon after getting the news, her family rushed to Ahmedabad. The entire family lives in a rented house.
After the incident, Manisha’s neighbours are in shock. Manisha’s younger uncle Guddu Bahadur Thapa said Manisha’s friend called Manisha’s brother Amit Thapa and told him about the incident that the flight in which she was going to London had crashed. The news of her death created panic among the family members.
“Soon after getting the information, I called my elder brother and Manisha’s father, Raju Thapa, who is posted in Begusarai police. He reached Patna and booked an Indigo flight to Ahmedabad along with bhabhi Laxmi Thapa,” Mr. Guddu said while tears rolled down.
He further said that Manisha was very close to her grandmother and the grandmother is aged and till now she has not been informed that Manish is dead. Guddu added that her parents have for the DNA test.
Manisha was a student of St. Xavier’s College of Management & Technology, Digha in Patna, from where she completed her graduation.
Father Martin Poras SJ, Principal of the College while speaking to media in Patna said, “First of all she was a fine human being. Every student used to mingle with her happily. She was a promising girl and she had high ambition in life. She was a meritorious student in studies and far as I remember she was the topper of the class a well. She used to take part in cultural programmes and was a very good dancer as well.”
The College management planted a sapling in her memory and paid tribute by offering flowers to her photograph.
Angela Topo, another staff member of the College said, “Manish was a very nice girl, I knew her well. She used to call me didi and she was friendly to everyone.”
She has a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from the College (2014-2017). According to family members she first joined Indigo Airlines as ground staff, later on she moved to Akasa Air and then Air India as a Crew member.
The family have roots in Nepal and their ancestor home is Viratnagar. She has two uncles Bablu and Guddu, both havaldar in Bihar Special Armed Forces (BSAF).
Her classmate Mohit Manna on June 12, had also posted a message on social media ‘X’ saying, “Lost my friend Manisha Thapa in the plane crash today. She was a Business Economics graduate and used to sit in the classroom next to mine and sometimes together in some common classes. Her smile, charm and energy was so elegant.”
He added, “Why did you do this to her? RIP Manisha. A few days ago, she posted a small clip where she wrote it was the first time she danced on a stage. She looked so happy. Oh God Why!”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary today visited Manisha’s residence in Patna to meet the family members.
“Manisha Thapa ji, who worked tirelessly day and night to fulfill her dreams, leaves her family in immense pain. Losing a daughter in this accident is an irreparable loss for her parents and siblings. I pray to God to grant the departed soul a place at his divine feet and provide strength to the grieving family to bear this immense sorrow. We all stand with the family in this hour of grief,”Mr. Choudhary said in the media statement
Published – June 15, 2025 07:57 am IST
