A heart-wrenching story has come to light from the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, claiming more than 265 lives. Among the victims was 26-year-old Sanjana Palkhiwala, whose father, Saurin Palkhiwala, had already lived through a similar trauma 37 years ago. In a cruel twist of fate, he once again lost a close family member to a plane crash in the same city.
Father’s Past Tragedy Resurfaces With New Grief
Back in 1988, Saurin Palkhiwala had lost his sister’s prospective father-in-law, Pradeep Harkishandas Dalal, in the Indian Airlines crash that killed 133 people in Ahmedabad. That accident, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, was attributed to poor visibility and pilot error. Now, in 2025, the same city brought another tragic chapter to his life.
Sanjana Was Born After 14 Years Of Marriage, A Gift They Cherished
Saurin shared that Sanjana was born 14 years after his marriage, calling her a “divine gift” from Goddess Gayatri. She was the only child of the couple and had brought immense joy into their lives. He revealed that she was traveling to the UK to attend a reunion with her college friends when the Air India flight AI171 crashed near Ahmedabad.
“When I got the news of the crash, I instinctively knew I had lost my daughter.” — Saurin Palkhiwala
Sanjana’s Education And Dreams
Sanjana had completed her BBA from Pune and her Master’s in Management of Technology (MOT) from New York University. She had recently started exploring the food business and was deeply passionate about art, food, and travel. Her cousin, Saloni, described her as full of life and creativity.
“She was like my twin sister. Sanjana loved painting, dancing, and reading.” — Saloni Palkhiwala
From Planning Engagement To Performing Final Rites
Saurin expressed the unimaginable pain of planning for his daughter’s engagement, only to end up performing her last rites. His wife, Sonali, was also devastated. The family is now holding on to Sanjana’s memories and accepting the tragedy as God’s will, though the void can never be filled.
A Nightmare That Came True – Again
This incident serves as a painful reminder that plane crashes are not just statistics—they are filled with human stories, broken families, and unfulfilled dreams. For Saurin Palkhiwala, the nightmare that began in 1988 returned in 2025, destroying the very center of his life once again.
Ongoing Investigation And DNA Identification
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, and DNA testing is being used to confirm the identities of those who perished. Families are being handed over the remains after confirmation. Sanjana was among the 265 lives lost in the June 12, 2025 Ahmedabad crash—a tragedy that India will remember for generations.
Final Words
Our deepest condolences go out to Saurin and Sonali Palkhiwala, and to every family who lost a loved one in the Ahmedabad plane crash. No words can heal the grief, but stories like Sanjana’s remind us to cherish every moment with our loved ones.