On June 12, 2025, the world lost a bright soul in a tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Manisha Thapa, a 27-year-old cabin crew member from Patna, Bihar, was among the 274 people who lost their lives. Her story is one of hard work, dreams, and a warm smile that touched many hearts. This article tells the complete biography of Manisha Thapa, a young woman who rose from a simple life to chase her dreams in the skies.
Early Life and Family
Manisha Thapa was born on December 21, 1997, in Patna, Bihar. Her family originally came from Biratnagar, Nepal, but settled in Patna. Her father, Raju Thapa, is a sub-inspector in the Bihar Police, currently posted in Begusarai. Her mother, Laxmi Thapa, is a homemaker who took care of the family. Manisha had a younger brother, Amit Thapa, who is a student in a Patna college. Her two uncles, Guddu Bahadur Thapa and Babloo Thapa, serve as havildars in the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP). The Thapa family is known for their discipline and service to the country.
Manisha grew up in a modest home near Shyama Apartment, Jagdeo Path, Patna. This area is close to the BSAP battalion headquarters. Her family lived a simple life, but they were full of love and support for each other. Manisha was very close to her grandmother, but her family kept the news of her death a secret from her because she was old and unwell. Neighbors described Manisha as a kind and humble girl. She always greeted people with a smile, which made her special.
Education and Early Dreams
Manisha was a bright student from a young age. She studied at St. Xavier’s College of Management and Technology in Digha, Patna, from 2014 to 2017. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics. Her teachers and classmates remember her as a hardworking and cheerful student. She was good at studies and loved taking part in college activities. Manisha was also a talented dancer. A few days before the crash, she shared a video of herself dancing on stage for the first time. She looked happy and full of life.
Her classmate, Mohit Manna, shared a heartfelt post on social media after her death. He said Manisha was a friend who sat next to him in class. Her smile and energy were unforgettable. She helped organize college events and never spoke harshly to anyone. Her kindness made her a favorite among her peers. St. Xavier’s College held a condolence meeting on June 14, 2025, to honor her. Teachers like Kalpana Kumari, head of the Business Economics Department, called her a star student.
Manisha Thapa Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Career, Husband, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manisha Thapa |
| Date of Birth | December 21, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Family Background | - Father: Raju Thapa (Sub-Inspector, Bihar Police, Begusarai) - Mother: Laxmi Thapa (Homemaker) - Brother: Amit Thapa (College Student) - Uncles: Guddu Bahadur Thapa, Babloo Thapa (Havildars, Bihar Special Armed Police) |
| Ancestral Roots | Biratnagar, Nepal |
| Residence | Near Shyama Apartment, Jagdeo Path, Patna, Bihar |
| Education | - Bachelor’s in Business Economics - St. Xavier’s College of Management and Technology, Digha, Patna (2014–2017) |
| Personality Traits | Kind, humble, cheerful, hardworking, always smiling |
| Hobbies & Talents | Dancing (shared a video of her first stage performance before the crash) |
| College Activities | Organized events, participated actively, loved by teachers and classmates |
| Career Start | Ground staff at IndiGo Airlines |
| Career Progression | - Cabin crew at Akasa Air - Cabin crew at Air India (served on international flights to London, Australia) |
| Professional Qualities | Professional, warm, charming, dedicated |
| Date of Death | June 12, 2025 |
| Cause of Death | Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Flight Details | - Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Ahmedabad to London - 230 passengers, 12 crew members, 265 fatalities |
| Community Impact | - Neighbors mourned her loss, described her as polite and loved - St. Xavier’s College held condolence meeting on June 14, 2025 |
| Family’s Response | - Father and mother traveled to Ahmedabad for DNA test - Mother needed medical care due to grief - Kept news from grandmother due to her poor health |
| Government Support | - PM Narendra Modi visited crash site on June 13, 2025 - Tata Group (Air India) offered ₹1 crore to each victim’s family - Bihar government provided helpline numbers for victim information |
| Legacy | - Inspired young women in Bihar and Nepal - Remembered as a kind, ambitious, and smiling daughter of Patna - Role model for the Gorkha community |
Journey in Aviation
Manisha always dreamed of working in the skies. After finishing college, she started her career with IndiGo Airlines as ground staff. Her hard work and charm helped her grow quickly. She later trained to become a cabin crew member. Manisha worked with Akasa Air for some time before joining Air India. Her passion for aviation and hospitality made her stand out. She served on many international flights, including routes to London and Australia. Colleagues admired her professionalism and warm nature.
Manisha’s journey was not easy. She worked hard to move from ground staff to cabin crew. She completed advanced training to prepare for international flights. Her family was proud of her success. They saw her as a role model for young women in Bihar and Nepal. Manisha’s story inspired many in her community. She showed that with determination, anyone could achieve their dreams.
The Tragic Day
On June 12, 2025, Manisha was working as a cabin crew member on Air India flight AI-171. The flight was going from Ahmedabad to London. It carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Just two minutes after takeoff, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed near a medical hostel in Ahmedabad. The crash killed 265 people, including Manisha. It was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
The news shocked Manisha’s family and neighbors. A friend called her brother Amit around 2:30 p.m. to tell him about the crash. Her father, Raju, rushed from Begusarai to Patna. He and his wife, Laxmi, flew to Ahmedabad for a DNA test to identify Manisha’s body. Laxmi was so heartbroken that she needed a doctor’s care. The entire Jagdeo Path area fell silent with grief. Neighbors like Babita Sinha and Sangeeta Pradhan remembered Manisha’s gentle nature. They said she was always polite and loved by everyone.
Community and Support
Manisha’s death left a deep impact on Patna. Her college, St. Xavier’s, held a memorial service on June 14, 2025. Students and teachers gathered to pray for her. They shared stories of her kindness and talent. The college asked the government and Air India to support Manisha’s family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on June 13. He met the only survivor and promised a full investigation. Tata Group, which owns Air India, offered ₹1 crore to each victim’s family.
Bihar’s government also stepped in. The Disaster Management Department set up helpline numbers (0612-2294204, 0612-2294205, and 1070) for people to share information about victims from Bihar. Local leaders, including Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, visited Manisha’s family to offer condolences. They called her a hardworking daughter whose loss was irreparable.
Manisha’s Legacy
Manisha Thapa was more than a cabin crew member. She was a daughter, sister, and friend who brought joy to everyone. Her journey from Patna to the skies showed her courage and ambition. She was a proud member of the Gorkha community and an inspiration to young women. Her smile and kindness left a mark on everyone she met.
Her friend Dev Kumar Devanshu said, “Manisha achieved her dreams, but she flew away forever.” Her classmate Alvin called her a star who stood out in everything. Her story reminds us to chase our dreams but also shows how fragile life can be. Manisha’s family hopes the government will honor her service and work to prevent such tragedies in the future.
A Life Remembered
Manisha’s life was short but full of meaning. She worked hard to make her family proud. She brought happiness to her college and workplace. Her neighbors still talk about her gentle nature. Her family is heartbroken, but they hold onto her memories. Manisha’s grandmother, unaware of her death, still waits for her to come home.
The crash took Manisha from the world, but her story lives on. She showed that dreams are possible with hard work. She proved that kindness matters. Her college, family, and community will always remember her as the girl who always smiled. Patna lost a bright daughter, but her light will shine in the hearts of those who knew her.
In her 27 years, Manisha Thapa lived a life of purpose. She flew high, not just in planes but in the dreams she chased. Her story teaches us to value every moment and to live with kindness. As Patna mourns, Manisha’s legacy will inspire others to follow their dreams and spread joy, just like she did.