Daughter awaits at graduation, but family never arrives
Vadodara: What was meant to be a moment of pride and celebration turned into a nightmare no family could anticipate. A joint family from Vasad in Anand district, planned to reunite in London for a milestone — the graduation ceremony of their daughter, Dhvani Patel.
Instead, grief now hangs heavy over their home, with three family members lost in Thursday's crash.
Rajnikant Patel (58), his wife Divya Patel (54) and his sister-in-law Hemangini Patel (58) had boarded Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, looking forward to celebrating Dhvani's MBA convocation at Middlesex University on June 23. Moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the aircraft crashed.
It claimed the lives of 33 people from Anand district alone.
"My sister, Dhvani, is in East London, studying business and management. We were all excited to be there with her as she received her MBA degree. It was supposed to be a family moment," said Parth Patel, Hemangini's son, struggling to hold back tears. "Instead, I'm now planning funerals."
The Patel family, who own the Krishna Riverside Resort in Vasad, were known for their warmth, hospitality, and being a tightly knit household.
Living together on High School Road, their home was always bustling with relatives, guests and laughter. Now it stands eerily quiet.
For Parth, the tragedy is a cruel blow upon another. "Just last year, I lost my father, Arun Patel, to a heart attack. Now I've lost my mother, uncle and aunt. In one year, I've been left almost alone," he said. Now, only he, his wife, his daughter and cousin sister remain from what was once a vibrant family unit.
The pain has been compounded by the wait to identify the deceased. "We're waiting for my 'foi' (paternal aunt) to arrive from the US — only her DNA sample can confirm my uncle's identity. She's on her way," said Parth.
The loss is not limited to the family. The Patels were well-respected in Vasad — a town known for its toor dal and defined by its sense of community.
"Rajnikant wasn't just a neighbour, he was a dear friend. His death is a deeply personal loss," said Anand MP Mitesh Patel, who, along with Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan, visited the grieving family on Friday.
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