Tragic Loss: Young Cabin Crew Member Among Victims of Air India Crash

Community in Mourning After Air India Tragedy

Imphal, June 13: The peaceful neighborhood of Awang Leikai in Thoubal district is engulfed in sorrow following the heartbreaking news of the Air India plane crash.

Among the passengers was 21-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, who served as a cabin crew member.

Her final message to her family resonates deeply: “I’m heading to London. We’ll be taking off shortly, and I might not be reachable for a while due to the international flight.”

As the news of the crash spread, panic and despair took hold. “We tried reaching her multiple times, but there was no response. Her phone's internet is still active. We stopped calling around 6 pm, worried it would drain the battery,” shared her eldest sister.

The family is devastated, holding onto hope while awaiting official confirmation. “We have reached out to the aviation authorities, but there has been no news yet,” they expressed.

Nganthoi’s journey was marked by quiet determination. At just 17, while studying for her undergraduate degree, she applied for a position with Air India during a recruitment event in Imphal. It was an impulsive choice, yet she was selected. Three years later, she was stationed in Mumbai, proudly representing Manipur on international flights.

“Initially shy and uncertain, she was incredibly determined,” a relative reminisced.

Nganthoi was the middle child in a family of three sisters. Her elder sister is employed at a private school, while the youngest is in Class 9. Coming from a modest background, the family had high hopes for Nganthoi. “When she landed the job, we were in disbelief. Our pride knew no bounds,” her cousin Khenjita recalled.

Academically gifted, Nganthoi consistently ranked among the top students in her class. She attended the esteemed Messi School and even attempted the NEET exam, performing admirably but not securing a seat. Eventually, she enrolled at DM College of Commerce but left after being chosen by Air India.

Among her peers in the 2023 batch, she was the youngest.

As the community grieves, Nganthoi's story serves as a poignant reminder of youthful aspirations, commitment, and the fragility of life. Her legacy continues through the love and pride of those she has left behind.