Nagpur: Tragedy struck on Thursday as an Air India flight bound from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 265 passengers. Among the deceased were Yasha Kamdar-Modha (32), her one-and-a-half-year-old son Rudra, and her mother-in-law Raksha Modha — all residents of Vardhaman Nagar in Nagpur.
Yasha, daughter of local businessman Manish Kamdar, had settled in the UK after marrying Kishan Modha from Ahmedabad a few years ago. The couple had established a catering business and were living in London. They had recently traveled to India after Kishan’s father, residing in Porbandar, was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Kishan’s father passed away during their visit.
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13 June 2025
Grief Followed by a Greater Tragedy
The family was returning to London to attend a memorial service scheduled for June 22 in honor of Kishan’s late father. While Kishan had stayed behind for work-related reasons, Yasha, her son Rudra, and her mother-in-law boarded the ill-fated Air India flight.
But just as the family was beginning to recover from one loss, a devastating blow followed.
Immigration Hassles Delayed Departure
Before boarding, the family faced unexpected hurdles at Ahmedabad airport. Immigration authorities raised concerns over baby Rudra’s British passport, initially denying him clearance for the flight. Officials reportedly demanded a payment of £1000 to allow the child to travel. The payment was made, and the trio proceeded to board the aircraft — unaware that tragedy loomed ahead.
Moments after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing everyone onboard. News of the crash reached the Kamdar family in Nagpur, who rushed to Rajkot in shock and disbelief.
A Community in Mourning
The heartbreaking loss of three generations in a single tragedy has left both Nagpur and the UK-based Gujarati community shaken. The Kamdar-Modha family had only recently reunited in India to support each other through a tough time. Their sudden demise has plunged their loved ones into immeasurable grief.
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, families of the victims are demanding accountability, not just for the aviation failure but also the inhumane immigration treatment faced just moments before the flight.
