Aryan admits that the tragedy stripped away his fascination with aviation.

Today marks the first anniversary of the horrific Air India flight disaster in Ahmedabad, a tragedy that claimed 260 lives, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, and left a nation in mourning. Among those forever impacted is 18-year-old Aryan Asari, a student from a remote village who became the accidental witness to the event. Known as the "Aeroplane Boy," his viral footage remains a haunting document of the disaster's final moments.

The notoriety that followed this event brought an unexpected psychological burden. Aryan admits that the tragedy stripped away his fascination with aviation. He has not recorded a single aircraft video since that day, and the very thought of boarding a flight triggers an intense anxiety he struggles to overcome. He remains haunted by the memory, viewing the sky with a persistent, paralyzing fear.

The nightmare began on June 12, 2025, while he was visiting his father, a security guard in Ahmedabad. Standing on a rooftop near the airport, he simply wanted to capture a video for his friends. Without warning, the plane plummeted and erupted into a massive fireball. The normalcy of his day dissolved into the reality of a national catastrophe.

While Aryan has since returned to his village to complete his schooling and prepare for college, the experience remains etched in his mind. He has resumed his academic journey, but his identity has been permanently altered by the global viral fame.

Despite his dreams of traveling abroad, Aryan still lacks the courage to fly. The anniversary serves as a reminder that for many, the trauma of that day persists, casting a long shadow over their aspirations for the future.

(With Inputs from PTI)