ndia faced one of the darkest days in its aviation history on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171 crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The tragedy claimed the lives of over 260 people, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground. One heartbreaking story among many was that of the Baxi sisters, whose visit to surprise their grandmother turned into an unimaginable loss for their family.
Who Were the Baxi Sisters?
Dhir Baxi and Heer Baxi, two young sisters in their 20s, were full of dreams and had their entire lives ahead of them. Originally based in the United Kingdom, they came to India to celebrate a very special occasion — their grandmother’s 75th birthday.
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Heer Baxi was a Project Manager with a deep passion for finance.
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Dhir Baxi was a fashion designer who studied at the prestigious Parsons Paris Art and Design School.
The sisters had plans to travel the world, grow in their careers, and enjoy life with their parents, Chetan Bakshi, a finance businessman in the UK, and Kosha Bakshi.
The Emotional Reunion That Turned Tragic
According to their cousin Ishan Baxi, the sisters came to Ahmedabad as a surprise for their ‘nani’ (grandmother), Elaben, and made short trips to Rajkot and Vadodara to meet other family members and elders. They had a joyful birthday celebration with their nani and created what would be their last family memories.
But just days later, their return flight — Air India AI171 — crashed soon after takeoff, killing almost everyone onboard.
A Grandmother’s Guilt and a Family in Shock
Their cousin Ishan, speaking to PA News Agency, shared how their grandmother is struggling with deep guilt, blaming herself for their death because the girls had come just to see her.
“They came just for her birthday. They celebrated it with happiness, and now they’re gone. It all vanished in front of our eyes.”
The entire family, still in shock, is finding it hard to accept this heartbreaking truth. What was meant to be a joyful reunion has become a lifelong memory of sorrow and loss.
What Happened in the Air India Plane Crash?
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI171) took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 12 noon on June 12, 2025. But just 33 seconds after takeoff, the plane crashed near a residential hostel, hitting the intern’s building at BJ Medical College.
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The plane had 242 people onboard: 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
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Only one person survived the crash; the rest, including the Baxi sisters, lost their lives.
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In total, 265 people died, including ground victims.
An investigation is ongoing, led by Indian aviation authorities and Boeing officials, to understand what went so wrong.
A Nation in Mourning, Stories That Must Not Be Forgotten
The Baxi sisters’ story is just one of many from the tragic Ahmedabad crash. But their tale — of love, surprise, and family — has touched countless hearts. Their smiling selfie with their nani, which has now gone viral on social media, reminds us of the preciousness of life and the unpredictability of fate.
Conclusion
We send our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this devastating accident. The Baxi sisters came to spread joy and ended up leaving behind an unforgettable legacy of love.
As the investigations continue, may justice, safety, and lessons emerge so that such tragedies never happen again.