When the Skies Became Scary

The tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has left an emotional scar far beyond the site. As visuals flood news and social media, anxiety around flying has spiked across the country. For many, boarding a flight now feels like stepping into uncertainty. The fear isn’t irrational—it’s human. It’s time experts talked about fear of flying and how to deal with such fears and anxieties.

Passengers Gripped by Fear

Since the crash, more passengers are reporting panic, especially during takeoff or turbulence. Some have cancelled trips, while others experience anxiety just entering airports. Fear of recurrence is common, and in many, it manifests as racing thoughts, breathlessness, or even in-flight panic attacks. One tragic event has unsettled thousands.

Post-Crash Trauma is Real

Even for those not onboard, trauma can linger. News exposure alone can trigger nightmares, flight avoidance, or anxiety. Some develop lasting phobias. This isn’t overreaction—it’s psychological shock. Recognizing early signs can prevent flight anxiety from turning into a long-term disorder.

What Happens in the Brain

Our brain’s fear center—the amygdala—goes into overdrive after traumatic events. Even safe flights can now feel dangerous. The mind begins to expect the worst, creating a loop of fear. Without help, this loop hardens into clinical anxiety.

How to Cope and Heal

For passengers, simple breathing techniques and grounding exercises can help manage symptoms. If fear persists, therapy—especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—can be effective. For crew and pilots, airlines must offer non-punitive support systems, wellness check-ins, and mental health resources.

The Ahmedabad crash has left more than physical devastation—it has shaken our collective sense of safety in the skies. But while flight anxiety may rise in the wake of tragedy, it must not be met with silence or shame. Whether it’s a nervous passenger, a shaken pilot, or a cabin crew member masking their fear while calming others, every emotional response is valid and deserves acknowledgment.

We often talk about mechanical safety checks and technical preparedness. It’s time we spoke just as seriously about emotional readiness and mental resilience. The human mind is not built to forget trauma overnight. But with the right support—professional help, institutional compassion, and societal understanding—it can heal.

The post Strategies for Coping with Fear Post-Ahmedabad Crash appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: A wave of excitement swept through Reach Education Action Programme (REAP) NGO in Kalwa as over 70 children from grades 1 & 2, along with their educators, prepared for a thrilling Maths workshop hosted by the esteemed Target Publications Pvt. Ltd., Thane. REAP delivers quality education to marginalized and underprivileged children with a special focus on girls. As a token of their support, Target Publications provided each child with a new notebook.

The workshop, led by the proficient Miss Payal Mehta, a 14-year teaching veteran with experience in teacher training across India, was a delightful blend of learning and fun.  Miss Mehta’s engaging session broke the ice with a creative activity related to Maths, followed by an application-based exploration of basic shapes and symmetry. Children not only participated but also explored new ways of learning about shapes. As Miss Mehta said, “Learning should be fun and engaging and the children certainly had a blast as they explored new ways of learning about shapes.”

The workshop sparked a newfound enthusiasm for Maths among the children as the resource person not only unveiled clever tricks to solve problems in seconds but also employed joyful activities to banish any fear of the subject.

Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications, said, “Our workshop focused on symmetrical shapes to demonstrate the beauty and patterns hidden within Maths. By exploring symmetry, we wanted to inspire children to see the world through a mathematical lens, appreciating the order and harmony that exists around us. We hope this experience will spark their curiosity and encourage them to discover the fascinating world of geometry.”

Joy Fernandes, Director of REAP, NGO, echoed Chaudhari’s sentiments: “We are incredibly grateful for this wonderful workshop for our children. Both the students and educators thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience. The key takeaway is that Maths isn’t a daunting subject – there are fun ways to learn tricks, solve problems, or any concept in Maths. By nurturing this love for Maths from a young age, we can ensure that children approach the subject with confidence, not anxiety.”

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