Surat: Seven years after the tragic Takshashila Arcade fire snuffed out 22 young lives, the tragedy still burns through the life of 30-year-old Jatin Nakrani — not in flames, but in fading memories, shattered dreams, and a daily struggle to remember even the simplest things.Once a young entrepreneur running a fashion design coaching class at Takshashila Arcade, Jatin today lives with short-term memory loss, and he is unable to work after suffering severe injuries in the May 24, 2019 inferno. The computer applications graduate had invested Rs 1.5 crore into the coaching venture through a mortgage loan against his family home after the business initially showed promise.Today, the burden of sustaining the family has fallen entirely on his father, Bharat Nakrani, 58, a former diamond artisan who now drives a goods tempo to make ends meet.Jatin is Bharat’s only son. With his two daughters married and Jatin no longer capable of earning, the ageing father has had to shoulder the family’s financial and emotional responsibilities alone.On the day of the tragedy, Jatin was not merely a victim — he was among the first to sound the alarm and rush into danger to save others. From his coaching class on the second floor, he ran upstairs after noticing the fire and alerted students attending a mathematics class on the third floor, helping many escape in time. He then climbed to the fourth floor to warn more students, only to find the building’s lone wooden staircase engulfed in flames.Trapped amid thick smoke and panic, Jatin smashed window panes and helped students climb out to safety. Family members say he rescued around 14 students before losing balance and falling from the building. The fall left him with severe head and body injuries.For months after the incident, Jatin remained bedridden with paralysis on the right side of his body. Though he has gradually regained mobility and can now walk and manage daily activities, the invisible scars remain far deeper. He continues to suffer from short-term memory loss and often forgets conversations or events within hours.According to his family, Jatin is not allowed to use a vehicle because of fears that he may lose his way and not remember how to return home. occasionally steps out for walks, but remains unemployed and continues to undergo treatment and medication for his mental health condition.Originally from the Amreli district in Saurashtra, the Nakrani family has been living in Surat for the past 33 years. “My brother helped me by arranging a goods rickshaw, so I could earn something,” Bharat told TOI. “On a normal day, I earn around Rs 300 to Rs 500. But because of rising fuel costs and slow business, even that has become difficult.”Family members say Jatin’s condition also affects his behaviour. He can become distressed quickly and may start shouting or using abusive language if things do not go his way — a lingering psychological impact of the trauma and injuries he endured.“Jatin’s and his family’s condition is heartbreaking. While trying to save lives, his own life changed forever,” said Jaysukh Gajera, father of Grishma, one of the students who died in the fire. “Political leaders and members of the community came forward to help the family repay nearly Rs 40 lakh that was due against the mortgage loan on their house.”
