A dream cut short as Manisha, AI crew member from city, dies in crash

Patna: Manisha Thapa, a 27-year-old flight attendant from Patna, was among the 265 people who lost their lives when Air India flight AI-171 crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. The tragedy has plunged her family and neighbours into deep mourning.A pall of silence and shock hung over the Jagdeo Path locality near the BSAP ground in Patna where neighbours were grappling with the devastating news of Manisha's untimely death. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London, went down just two minutes after taking off at 1.38pm on Thursday.The ill-fated flight carried 230 passengers, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, 7 Portuguese citizens and one Canadian. On board were also 12 crew members. Among the passengers were 103 men, 114 women, 11 children and two infants.Manisha, who served as a cabin crew member on the flight, was known for her academic brilliance and vibrant personality. A graduate of St Xavier's College, Patna, she completed her bachelor's in business economics from 2014 to 2017.She began her aviation career with IndiGo Airlines as ground support staff, moved to Akasa Air and later joined Air India, where she regularly served on international routes, including London and Australia."Manisha was also known for her graceful demeanour and friendly nature," said neighbour Santosh Kumar. The entire neighbourhood has been in mourning with residents coming together to comfort her grieving family.Born in Patna to Raju Thapa, a Bihar Police officer posted in Begusarai, and Laxmi Thapa, a homemaker, Manisha traced her roots to Biratnagar, Nepal. She is survived by her younger brother Amit, currently pursuing his studies, and her uncles Bablu and Guddu Bahadur Thapa, both serving as havildars in the Bihar Special Armed Police.Her uncle Guddu said, "One of Manisha's friends informed us about the tragic incident on Thursday around 2.30pm. Her parents are in Ahmedabad for a DNA test to help identify her remains. Manisha was not only excellent in her studies but also very cultured and sociable."St Xavier's College will hold a memorial service at 8.45am on Saturday to honour their distinguished alumna. The college campus, where Manisha once thrived, now resonates with sorrow.Mohit Manna, a former batchmate at St Xavier's, posted a tribute on X, sharing a photo of Manisha. "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 were so elegant."In a follow-up post, he wrote, "She helped me numerous times in organising events and activities. The family, her younger brother, will not be the same again. I can't even remember one instance where she was angry or spoke harshly to anyone. Oh God, you are so merciless. Why did you do this to her? RIP Manisha."He added, "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!"