By | Rayyan Z khan / Aatif Ahmad
Washim: A wave of grief has swept through Maharashtra’s Washim district after the tragic drowning of 23-year-old Ayan Ayyub Khan, a bright student pursuing higher education in Scotland.
Ayan, who hailed from Karanja town’s Dafnipura locality, had gone to the UK in January 2025 to study Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. On August 25, he joined friends on an outing to the Harlaw Reservoir, about 5 km from the city. According to reports, Ayan went missing in the water, triggering an overnight rescue mission involving Scottish police, fire crews, and a coastguard helicopter. His body was recovered the following morning, leaving his family and community devastated.
Final Journey Home After Two Weeks
Due to post-mortem formalities and legal procedures abroad, Ayan’s body could be flown back to India only after 14 days. On September 7, around 8 a.m., his coffin arrived at Nagpur Airport before being transported by ambulance to his hometown Karanja. From early morning, crowds gathered to pay their respects, and by the time his last rites were performed, the local cemetery was overflowing with mourners.
Irreplaceable Loss
Ayan was the only son among three brothers’ families, leaving behind his parents, a younger sister, and an extended household. For his family, friends, and the local community, his death is not just a personal tragedy but the loss of a promising young talent who had dreams of building a career in cutting-edge technology abroad.
Shockwaves Across Communities
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union in the UK expressed its condolences, describing Ayan as a “brilliant mind with a promising future.” The Scottish authorities have confirmed that a report into the drowning has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal, who investigates sudden or accidental deaths in Scotland.
Back in Karanja, the grief is palpable. Neighbours, relatives, and community members poured into the family home to console Ayan’s parents. The air was filled with sorrow as hundreds gathered for his final rites, underscoring how deeply his loss has affected not only his family but the wider district.
