Four dreams, one tragedy: The medical students who died in Air India crash
It was just another day at the hostel mess of B. J. Medical College and Hospital (BJMC) in Ahmedabad where dozens of medical students gathered for a late lunch, taking a brief break from their demanding routines.
Among them were Jaiprakash Chaudhary, Manav Bhadu, Aryan Rajput and Rakesh Diyora. The four students were from different corners of India, united by the same calling: medicine.
Then came the unthinkable. On June 12, at about 1.25pm, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, United Kingdom crashed into the college hostel moments after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, slammed directly into the second-floor mess hall, where the students were dining.
By the time flames were doused and the wreckage cleared, 246 people were confirmed dead, including 241 onboard and five on the ground — among them, four BJMC medical students. Jaiprakash Chaudhary, Manav Bhadu, Aryan Rajput and Rakesh Diyora were among those killed when an Air India flight to London crashed moments after take-off from the city of Ahmedabad, last week. - Photo: Instagram / @amburexpress
Jaiprakash Chaudhary: A village's first doctor
Jaiprakash, 20, was a second-year MBBS student who hailed from Bor Charanan, a remote village in Barmer, Rajasthan
The son of a labourer, he was the first in his family to attend college and had he lived, he would have become his village's first doctor — a milestone his family had long celebrated with pride.
"From what we were told, Jaiprakash had just finished his lunch and was washing his hands when the plane crashed into the hostel building.
"The flames after the crash and the weight of debris both killed him," a family member shared.
His academic brilliance was unquestionable — he scored 686 out of 720 in NEET, securing a government seat at BJMC.
As his body was returned home, Barmer district collector Tina Dabi and villagers gathered to honour the young man whose dream was to serve those in need, especially the poor and underserved.
Manav Bhadu: A town's pride
Just weeks before the tragedy, Manav, also 20, had returned to BJMC after spending time at home in Pilibanga, Hanumangarh district.
A final-year medical student, he was described as intelligent, kind and humble — the type of young man who made everyone believe that the future was in good hands.
He was the only son of Dalip Bhadu, a private bank employee in Rawatsar. Manav's hometown of Dulmani had followed his journey through medical school with admiration, dreaming of the day he would return as "Dr Bhadu."
His mortal remains were brought back on June 14, where hundreds gathered under a wave of grief, including elected officials and neighbours, to say goodbye to their brightest light.
Aryan Rajput: The farmer's son who dreamed big
In Jigsawli village, nestled in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, the Rajput family is living their worst nightmare.
Their son, Aryan, had just returned to his hostel at BJMC after visiting home on May 31.
He was only 19 years old, a first-year student full of excitement and energy, just beginning his journey in medicine.
Aryan was eating in the hostel dining area when the aircraft crashed.
"One of his friends informed us about the incident. We told his parents that he was injured. The family was in deep shock," his cousin shared.
His father, Ramesh Singh Rajput, a farmer, had pinned all hopes on Aryan's future.
His community, his school and his family had watched with pride as the young boy made it to medical school — a symbol of what perseverance and education could achieve.
Rakesh Diyora: A quiet dreamer from Bhavnagar
Rakesh, a second-year student from Diyora village in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, had just returned to his hostel the night before the crash.
"He had not brought any books along. His exams were to begin on June 16, so he returned to the hostel to prepare. I kept calling him after I heard about the crash, but there was no answer," his brother-in-law Alpesh Chauhan, recalled.
Rakesh was having lunch at the table next to the other students who were killed.
"He was a bright and shy boy. He never wanted the spotlight, just wanted to become a doctor," a family member said.
These four young men — Jaiprakash, Manav, Aryan, and Rakesh — came from humble beginnings and in each of their homes, they were the first of their kind: first college students, first doctors and first symbols of hope.
Their stories resonate far beyond the medical college they called home as they are now names etched in national memory, forever tied to a tragedy.
The Air India AI171 crash
According to the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, en route to London.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, struck the BJ Medical College hostel, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard. There was only one survivor.
On the ground, five individuals were killed, including four medical students and the wife of a doctor.
This brings the official death toll to 246, as confirmed by government authorities.
The disaster is one of the most catastrophic aviation incidents in recent Indian history, with rescue workers describing the wreckage and recovery operation as "overwhelmingly painful."
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