In the aftermath of the Air India Ahmedabad-London Dreamliner crash on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers, one man has emerged as an unlikely symbol of compassion and humanity.

Nilesh Vaghela, a 47-year-old auto-rickshaw driver living in Hari Nagar Society, Ahmedabad, has been working tirelessly to craft coffins for the victims of one of India’s deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years. What began as a call for help from Air India became a non-stop mission of service for Vaghela, who turned carpenter overnight.

Three Days of Unbroken Labour and Humanity

Since receiving an urgent request from Air India just hours after the crash, Mr. Vaghela has delivered 80 coffins and is set to complete 20 more by the evening of June 15. With bloodshot eyes, sawdust on every surface of his home, and a phone that never stops ringing, he continues measuring, cutting, and assembling simple wooden boxes for the deceased.

“I have not slept more than an hour or two in the past three days. I take short naps on the floor while the glue sets or when I can’t keep my eyes open anymore,” he shared while still working. He does not have assistants or carpentry staff — this is not his full-time job.

A Service Beyond Religion or Profession

Though Hindu by faith, Vaghela says he often faces questions about his work making coffins. His answer is simple — this is about humanity, not religion. He began building coffins occasionally to supplement his income, but never imagined needing to create 100 coffins in less than four days.

“I told them I could manage 100 in two days, though I had never done anything like this before. This is not business, this is seva,” he explains. The scale of the tragedy meant even his home was not enough to store the coffins, and his neighbours offered space in their buildings to help store the completed boxes.

Precision Amidst Pain

Each coffin, assembled with care and dignity, bears no name — only the quiet testimony to lives lost. They will cradle those who were headed to London Gatwick on a routine international flight but instead perished moments after take-off from Ahmedabad.

“These are not just boxes. I am trying to give them the dignity they deserve. No one plans to be ready with so many coffins. Which coffin maker would keep hundreds of boxes ready in advance? This is such a tragic incident. How could anyone foresee a day like this?” he said solemnly.

A City Mourns, A Citizen Acts

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating Air India Flight AI-117 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad International Airport, en route to London Gatwick. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived. The cause is still under investigation, but the magnitude of the tragedy is etched deeply into the city’s memory.

Amidst grief-stricken families, overwhelmed hospitals, and a country in shock, Nilesh Vaghela’s effort stands out as a quiet act of resistance against helplessness. He represents thousands of unnamed citizens who step up during disasters not for reward or fame, but because it is the right thing to do.

Air India and Officials Recognise Efforts

Though busy coordinating logistics for recovery and identification, Air India officials and local administrators have acknowledged Vaghela’s contribution. Sources say the airline may extend support to him in future, though Vaghela has refused payment beyond material cost.

“I’m doing this because I cannot imagine losing someone and not having a coffin ready to give them a dignified farewell,” he said. His teenage daughter assists him during breaks from school — bringing him tea, answering calls, and wiping his brow.

Unlikely Hero of a Tragedy

Mr. Vaghela’s story has already begun circulating on social media, with many calling him a true hero, a citizen without a uniform, but with heart and purpose.

When asked why he keeps going without rest, he replied, “If I stop, who will finish the work? These families are waiting

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