Manisha Thapa, a young and dedicated air hostess from Bihar, was among the many lives lost in the devastating crash of Air India flight AI-171, which went down shortly after departing from Ahmedabad on Thursday.

A native of Patna with ancestral roots in Biratnagar , Nepal, Manisha was on active duty as a cabin crew member when the aircraft met with disaster. Her life and aspirations were tragically cut short in the accident that has left her family and community in deep mourning.

Condolence Meeting Held

A heartfelt condolence meeting was held on 14th June 2025 near Gyanpath at St. Xavier’s College of Management & Technology, Xavier University Campus, Patna, to mourn the loss of Manisha, who was a cherished student of the institution.

Passages were recited from different holy books and floral tribute followed by planting a sapling in her memory. The memorial attended by Principal Fr. Dr. Martin Poras, SJ, along with faculty members, staff, alumni, and the late Manisha’s batchmates.

The gathering reflected the deep sense of loss felt by the Xavier community at the passing of a young and promising life.

The Principal, Fr. Dr. Martin Poras SJ expressed profound sorrow over Manisha’s passing, remembering her as a bright, kind-hearted, and dedicated student. He emphasized how her presence had touched the lives of many within the campus. “Her absence leaves a void in the Xavier family that cannot be filled,” he stated.

Several faculty members and classmates spoke emotionally about their memories with Manisha, highlighting her academic dedication, gentle nature, and the warmth she brought to every interaction.

Alumni who had known her also joined in paying their respects and offering condolences to the bereaved family.

The event concluded with a collective prayer for strength and peace for Manisha’s family, followed by the lighting of candles in her memory.

Manisha’s Journey

Prior to joining Air India, Manisha had worked with IndiGo Airlines, where she was known for her commitment and professionalism. Her vibrant personality and ambition had earned her the admiration of colleagues and neighbours alike.
Manisha’s father, Raju Thapa, is currently posted in Begusarai with the Bihar Police, while her mother, Laxmi Thapa, is a homemaker.

Her younger brother, Amit, is pursuing his studies. The Thapa family lives near Shyama Apartment on Jagdev Path in Patna. Two of her uncles, Bablu and Guddu Thapa, serve in the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP), Battalion No. 1.

The family received the tragic news on Thursday afternoon through a phone call from one of Manisha’s friends, who contacted her brother. Heartbroken and in shock, the family immediately left for Ahmedabad on a late evening IndiGo flight. Her uncle, Guddu Bahadur Thapa, confirmed the sequence of events and expressed the family’s immense grief.

At home in Patna, Manisha’s grandmother remains unaware of the loss, with the family choosing to withhold the painful news for now.

Friends and neighbors remembered Manisha as a cheerful, diligent, and caring individual whose energy and warmth left a lasting impact on everyone she met.

The fatal crash of Air India’s Dreamliner occurred just two minutes after takeoff at 1:38 p.m., claiming the lives of all 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

The aircraft plummeted into a densely populated area near BJ Medical College and City Civil Hospital, also resulting in multiple casualties on the ground.

  Air crash, Air India, Bihar, Manisha Thapa, Patna