In a bizarre turn of events that highlights the ongoing travel chaos in India, a newly married couple was compelled to attend their own grand wedding reception via a video call. The unfortunate incident occurred after their IndiGo flight was abruptly cancelled at the last minute, leaving them stranded hundreds of miles away from their celebrating guests.
The Planned Celebration Derailed by Endless Delays
Medha Ksheerasagar from Hubballi and Sangama Das from Bhubaneswar, both software engineers based in Bengaluru, tied the knot on November 23 in Bhubaneswar. A large reception was meticulously planned for December 3 at Gujarat Bhavan in Hubballi, the bride's hometown. Relatives from both families had gathered at the venue, with all arrangements finalized.
The travel plan was set: the couple and their parents had booked tickets from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru, with a connecting flight to Hubballi on December 2. Tickets for several relatives traveling a different route from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai and then to Hubballi were also confirmed. However, their journey began to unravel from the morning of December 2 itself.
A Day of False Hopes and Final Cancellation
Starting at 9 am on December 2, IndiGo staff repeatedly informed the anxious passengers that their flight was merely "delayed." This cycle of waiting and false hope continued deep into the night. It was only in the early hours of December 3, mere hours before the reception was scheduled to begin, that the airline finally announced the flight's cancellation.
Speaking about the ordeal, the bride's father, Anil Kumar, expressed his frustration to TOI. "The flight was continuously shown as delayed throughout the day. Only at around 6–8 pm did they finally announce it was cancelled," he said. He emphasized that an earlier notification from IndiGo could have allowed the family to make alternate travel arrangements. The lack of timely information directly led to the reception being moved online.
The Virtual Reception: A Compromise Forced by Circumstances
With the hall booked, guests assembled, and rituals ready to commence, the family faced an impossible situation. Making alternative travel plans at such short notice was not feasible. The show had to go on, albeit digitally.
In Hubballi, the bride's parents took their places on the reception stage to host the guests and complete the formalities. Meanwhile, in Bhubaneswar, Medha and Sangama dressed in their wedding finery. They joined the festivities live via a video conference, interacting with well-wishers, sharing moments, and completing their reception virtually—a poignant symbol of modern-day disruptions.
This incident is not isolated but adds to the mounting frustration among air passengers across India. It underscores the widespread cancellations and operational disruptions currently plaguing airlines like IndiGo, turning celebratory moments into logistical nightmares.
