A Final Goodbye That Never Was: The Story of Monali and Sunny Patel, Victims of the Ahmedabad Plane Crash

 

 

Anand, Gujarat –
In the heart of Gujarat’s Anand district, often called the “NRI Capital” of the state, grief hangs thick in the air like a storm that refuses to pass.

Among the 274 people who lost their lives in the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12, thirty-three were from Anand alone — a sobering testament to the tight bond between this small city and the diaspora scattered across the globe.

But in one household in Gana village, located just three kilometers from the center of Anand, the pain of that tragedy runs deeper than numbers and names on a list. It’s the story of Monali and Sunny Patel — a couple whose love for each other, for family, and their roots in India was as profound as it was tragically short-lived.

They weren’t even supposed to be on that flight.

A Journey Postponed, A Fate Unforeseen

Monali and Sunny, both residents of London, had spent the past two months in Anand. Monali had been undergoing medical treatment during this visit, and Sunny, ever devoted, took a break from his business in London to be by her side.

Their return to the UK had originally been scheduled for June 6, but last-minute family and personal obligations caused them to delay their departure by a few days.

It was a decision no one could have imagined would turn fatal.

“They stayed back so she could rest a bit more,” recalled Jignesh Patel, Monali’s cousin, speaking softly, still struggling to process the weight of their absence. “We never imagined it would be the last time we saw them.”

Jignesh wasn’t just a relative — he was family in every sense that mattered. To him, Monali was a sister, not by blood, but by bond.

He remembers the morning of June 12 vividly. He, his wife, and their toddler son visited the couple one last time before they departed the airport.

“Monali hugged me tightly,” Jignesh said, eyes glassy with memory. “She was glowing. She was happy. She gave me her blessings and promised she’d return. She loved my son like her own — she was so attached to him.”

The Last Message

At around 11 a.m., Monali and Sunny checked in at the Ahmedabad airport. Even during the usually hectic and stressful airport procedures, Monali continued to keep in touch with Jignesh and his wife.

She sent her final message at 1:20 p.m., just minutes before the scheduled departure. “She said everything was fine, that they’d cleared security, and she was getting on the flight. She sent her love and her blessings.”

Just 19 minutes later, Air India Flight AI171 — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner — crashed into the campus of Ahmedabad Medical College shortly after takeoff, killing nearly everyone on board and dozens on the ground. What was supposed to be a routine international flight turned into the deadliest Indian aviation tragedy in over 15 years.

Jignesh was at home when he received a chilling message from another cousin: “Didn’t Monali and Sunny fly out today?” The horrifying realization came in waves. He checked the news. He confirmed the flight number. And then he ran.

“I drove straight to Ahmedabad. I didn’t know what I would find, but I knew I had to be there.”

Protecting Hope amid Despair

Back in London, Monali’s parents — Mukesh and Jayshree Patel — were unaware of the full magnitude of what had happened. To protect them from the immediate shock, relatives told them that their daughter and son-in-law were in the ICU, being treated for injuries. It was only after they flew to Ahmedabad that the devastating truth was shared.

At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, the grim process of DNA identification was underway. Mukesh Patel gave a sample, hoping — despite the odds — that perhaps there had been a mistake.

The waiting is excruciating. Officials say it may take up to 72 hours for final confirmation. For a parent, each of those hours stretches into a lifetime.

Jignesh’s voice falters as he speaks about Jayshree. “She was in complete shock. We couldn’t tell her everything at once. We had to let the truth out slowly. How do you tell a mother her child is gone?”

A Love That Touched Many

Monali and Sunny had been married for seven years. Their wedding was in London, and Jignesh still remembers the sadness of not being able to attend due to visa delays.

“She came to me just before she left for her wedding shopping. She held my hand and said she wished I could come. That moment will stay with me forever.”

The love that Monali and Sunny shared extended beyond their marriage. It spilled into the lives of their extended family, friends, and neighbors.

The children in their lane adored Monali, seeing her as more than just a visiting relative — she was part of their world. When the news of her death spread, even the children began to cry.

“She used to tie Rakhi on my wrist every year,” Jignesh said. “We never saw each other as cousins. We were brother and sister in every way that counts.”

Sunny, too, had a deep love for India. He spent extended time in Anand during the COVID-19 pandemic, even staying for six months during the international lockdowns. “He always said he wanted to return, again and again. He loved it here.”

A Community in Mourning

Anand has suffered deeply. With 33 residents lost in a single afternoon, entire neighborhoods now bear the weight of unimaginable sorrow.

Most of the deceased were NRIs or held permanent residency abroad — the very backbone of Anand’s global connection. Homes that had been lit up with celebration, laughter, and goodbyes now echo with silence.

For the Patel family, grief is compounded by the circumstances — a delayed flight, a final visit, a text message filled with hope, and a crash that no one saw coming.

Their story is one among many, yet it encapsulates the profound humanitarian tragedy of the Air India crash.

Monali and Sunny Patel were more than just names on a manifest. They were dreams in motion, lives interwoven with countless others, and symbols of hope, resilience, and connection between continents and generations.

Their journey ended before it truly began, but their memory — radiant and rooted in love — will linger in the hearts of all who knew them.