Air India Crash | A Family Wiped Out, A Mother Kept In The Dark | “His Mother Will Die If…”

The recent Air India Flight AI-171 crash has left a trail of devastation and heartbreak across the nation, but perhaps nowhere is the pain more acute than in the home of the Sharma family, who lost nearly all their members in the tragedy. As authorities work to identify victims and support survivors, one haunting story stands out: a mother, blissfully unaware, has yet to be told that her entire family is gone.

The Sharma Family’s Fateful Journey

The Sharma family, originally from Ahmedabad, was traveling together to attend a wedding in Mumbai. On board were Mr. Rajesh Sharma, his wife Priya, their two children Aarav (10) and Meera (7), and Rajesh’s younger brother, Suresh. The family was excited, sharing photos and messages with relatives just hours before boarding Flight AI-171.

Tragically, the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. Rescue workers and investigators rushed to the scene, but there were no survivors from the Sharma family.

A Mother Kept in the Dark

Back in Ahmedabad, Rajesh’s elderly mother, Kamla Devi Sharma, waited anxiously for news of her family’s safe arrival. At 79, Kamla Devi suffers from a weak heart and high blood pressure. Her neighbors and relatives, aware of her fragile health, made a collective decision: she must not know the truth, at least not yet.

“We are afraid,” said her nephew, Anil. “If she hears that her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren are all gone, she might not survive the shock. The doctor has warned us—his mother will die if she hears this suddenly.”

For now, the family has told Kamla Devi that there was a flight delay, and that her loved ones are safe and will call her soon. Every phone call is carefully managed, and visitors to the house are instructed to keep up the pretense.

The Weight of Grief

For the surviving relatives, the burden is almost unbearable. “It’s like living in two worlds,” said Anil, his voice breaking. “We are mourning inside, but in front of her, we have to smile and pretend everything is fine. Every time she asks about the children, my heart breaks a little more.”

The Sharma home, once filled with laughter and warmth, is now shrouded in silence and sorrow. Neighbors bring food and offer prayers, but there is little anyone can do to ease the pain.

Experts Weigh In

Psychologists say such situations are not uncommon after major tragedies. “Families often try to shield elderly or ill relatives from devastating news,” explained Dr. Pooja Verma, a grief counselor. “While it can be a kindness in the short term, eventually the truth must be told, ideally with medical supervision and emotional support.”

The Dilemma

The family now faces an agonizing decision: how and when to tell Kamla Devi the truth. “We know we can’t hide it forever,” said Anil. “But we want to do it in a way that gives her the best chance to survive the shock. Maybe if the doctor is with us, and we break the news gently, she will be able to bear it.”

A Nation Mourns

The story of the Sharma family has struck a chord across India, where family bonds run deep and the loss of even one member is keenly felt. Messages of sympathy and support have poured in from across the country, with many expressing hope that Kamla Devi will find the strength to endure.

As the investigation into the Air India crash continues, families like the Sharmas are left to pick up the pieces, their lives forever changed. For Kamla Devi, the hardest moment is yet to come—a moment her loved ones dread, but know they cannot avoid.