Latest news with #BhartiPatoliya
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Well-wishers raise nearly £600K for two young girls left orphaned after their father was killed in Air India crash as he made his way home from scattering mother's ashes
Nearly £600,000 has been raised for the two young girls left orphaned after their father was killed in the deadly Air India crash as he made his way home from scattering their mother's ashes. Arjun Patoliya, 37, was heading home to the UK on the Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner after visiting to hold a funeral for his late wife Bharti Patoliya, 43, who passed away from cancer just 18 days before the crash. The loving husband made the trip with the sole purpose of fulfilling her final wish to scatter her ashes in her homeland in Gujarat and her floral urn submerged in a local holy river. The Narmada River runs through the Amreli region and is a sacred river in Hinduism, ranked second in sanctity only after the Ganges. Millions of devout Hindus have their ashes placed in rivers because it purifies the soul and ensures spiritual liberation. After carrying out this final wish, Mr Patoliya completed several funeral rites with relatives in his village around 150 miles from Ahmedabad and was set to return to London on Thursday to be with his two young daughters. Tragically, he died after the doomed Air India flight AI-171 carrying 242 passengers, including 53 British nationals, crashed just moments after take-off. The plane plunged into buildings in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST) on Thursday. The couple have two daughters, aged four and eight, who stayed at home in the UK and are now mourning the deaths of both their parents in the space of just 18 days. Inspired Elements Ltd, the British bespoke furniture company Mr Patoliya worked for, and his family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the girls. So far they have raised £574,454 which will provide them with 'a stable, nurturing home and safe environment, ensure continued access to education and emotional support, establish trusted long-term well-being care and build a future rooted in love, healing, and opportunity'. All funds raised will go directly to a legal trust or the appointed guardians to ensure every penny is dedicated to the needs of the two girls. The GoFundMe describes Mr Patoliya as 'a valued member of our team at Inspired Elements and also a close family friend for many years'. Donations to the fundraiser can be made here. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunded into buildings in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST) on Thursday Having already raised more than their £500,000 target, the company and family said yesterday in an update: 'We are deeply moved and overwhelmed by the generosity and support everyone has shown. The strength of collective support can bring real change and hope during the most challenging times. 'Arjun and Bharti's daughters are currently being cared for by loving family members who have been constant, supportive figures in their lives as their mother bravely battled cancer. 'All funds raised will be placed into a dedicated Trust, established solely for the girls' upbringing, education, and future needs. Ensuring strong governance and safeguarding their well-being will remain our utmost priority every step of the way. 'While no amount of financial support can ever replace the love and presence of their parents, every additional contribution will still make a meaningful difference in helping these two young girls face the long and challenging journey ahead. 'We thank you for all your support.'
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Candlelit vigil held in Harrow for Air India plane crash victims
People attending a vigil in London to remember victims of the Air India plane crash became visibly emotional after learning that two young girls had been orphaned by the multi-faith service on Saturday was held at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, where Mayor of Harrow Anjana Patel said 20 of the victims had previously also shared that two young girls had lost their father in the crash, just weeks after their mother had died from than 240 people were killed were killed on Thursday when a Boeing 787 bound for Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the flight. Patel told those gathered at the event that the siblings' father, Arjun Patoliya, had flown to Gujarat to scatter his wife Bharti's ashes following her was returning home to his daughters, aged four and eight, when the plane went down. "The saddest incident we have got here in Harrow is one parent had already died here because of cancer," Patel said."The husband went to do the rituals in India and coming back, he was on board. He has left two little girls behind and the girls are now orphans."I really hope that those girls will be looked after by all of us."She added: "Caring is the most that we can do at this hour."We don't have any words to describe how the families and friends must be feeling, so what we can do is pray for them."She also revealed how her sister-in-law's cousin had been killed in the crash. Local councillors, a local MP and residents packed into the temple for the ceremony, which included emotional tributes, candle lighting and a message of condolence from the Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said it was believed to be the highest number of British deaths ever recorded in a plane crash, with 53 UK nationals on board."When someone dies in illness or old age, we celebrate their lives," he said. "But when an air crash happens - completely unpredictable - people are taken away from us immediately, just like that."We think of all those families sitting by the telephone, wondering if their loved ones were actually on the plane."He said the Gujarati community in the UK was deeply affected, with victims having links to Harrow, Leicester, Birmingham and added: "The difficulty the authorities have already got is: who are they visiting? Which family members were they coming to see in the UK?" Councillor Hitesh Karia, who represents Pinner South ward and is a member of the temple's congregation, also shared the impact of the said: "It's nice that the local community can come together - the local support means a lot."Twenty devotees that come here have sadly lost their lives."It shows there is a solidarity, and despite the high amount of diversity, we can come together when appropriate."The vigil was led by Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, who said he knew 20 of the victims in the hall quietly wept as candles were lit by representatives from the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities."The only feeling left is sadness - we can't do any more," Mr Guruji said.
The Independent
14-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Girls orphaned when father died in Air India crash after scattering wife's ashes
Two children were orphaned when their father was killed in the Air India plane crash after travelling to scatter his wife's ashes in her homeland, according to a fundraiser for the family. Arjun Patoliya, 37, was killed 18 days after his wife Bharti had died from cancer, the GoFundMe page to support their daughters, aged four and eight, said. The Briton had travelled to Gujarat to fulfil his wife's 'final wish'. By Saturday afternoon more than £370,000 had been raised to help the girls. The fundraiser, organised by Mr Patoliya's colleague, said: 'Their mother, Bharti Patoliya, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. 'Fulfilling her final wish, her husband Arjun Patoliya travelled to India to scatter her ashes in her homeland in Gujarat.' It added: 'Arjun left to bid farewell to his wife, never returned to the children they both raised. 'Now, these two beautiful young girls have been left without parents — their world turned upside down in just over two weeks.' Mr Patoliya worked at furniture manufacturer Inspired Elements Ltd, based in Stanmore, north-west London. The company, which organised the GoFundMe appeal, posted a tribute on social media saying: 'We are deeply saddened to share the (loss) of a cherished member of our team in the recent Air India flight tragedy. 'Our hearts are heavy with grief as we come to terms with this profound loss. 'Arjun was not just a colleague but also a dear friend. His dedication, kindness, and spirit has left a lasting mark on us all'. Mr Patoliya had attended Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School in Surat, western India. A teacher at the secondary school said on social media: 'It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our dear former student. 'This news has deeply saddened us all. Arjun was a cherished member of our Gurukul family, and his untimely departure is a great loss.' More than 8,700 donations had been made to the GoFundMe by Saturday afternoon, including many of more than £1,000, and one of £5,000. Money has been pledged to go towards providing a 'stable, nurturing home' for the girls and ensuring they can access education. Organisers said they will also use the donations to 'establish trusted long-term wellbeing care' and 'build a future rooted in love, healing, and opportunity. 'All funds raised will go directly to a legal trust or the appointed guardians to ensure every penny is dedicated to the girls' needs.' The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take off on Thursday in what is one of the deadliest plane accidents in terms of the number of British nationals killed. It struck a medical college hostel in a residential part of Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. At least 25 more bodies were found in the debris by recovery crews working at the site until Friday evening, officials said, and it is unclear whether they had been on the flight or on the ground. The Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad has received 270 bodies, Dr Dhaval Gameti told the Associated Press.
Sky News
14-06-2025
- General
- Sky News
Children orphaned as father killed in Air India plane crash days after mother dies
A father returning home after scattering his wife's ashes was among the victims of the Air India crash, leaving his two young children suddenly orphaned. Flight 171 was carrying 242 people when it struck a medical college hostel less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India. Twenty-nine people on the ground were killed, taking the total number of victims to 270. A hospital official confirmed 270 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, but DNA testing is being conducted to identify the bodies. Just one passenger, a British man from Leicester, survived what has become the worst aviation crash in a decade. India's aviation minister has said a government panel reviewing the crash will complete its assessment in three months. "We have also given the order to do the extended surveillance of the 787 planes. There are 34 in our Indian fleet," aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said, without saying if the checks will apply to all Indian airlines. Mr Naidu said the plane started descending after reaching 650 feet. Every theory as to what happened will be looked into, he said. But in the meantime, he has instructed the airline to assist the families of passengers to ensure there is no delay in handing over the bodies of those who had died. Among the victims, 37-year-old Arjun Patoliya had been visiting India to fulfil his wife Bharti's "final wish" to be laid to rest in her hometown of Gujarat. Bharti had died just over two weeks ago, following a "courageous battle with cancer". A GoFundMe page, set up to raise funds for their two children, says: "Arjun left to bid farewell to his wife, never returned to the children they both raised. "Now, these two beautiful young girls have been left without parents - their world turned upside down in just over two weeks." A fundraiser, which has topped more than a quarter of a million pounds, confirms all money raised will go directly into a legal trust, "to ensure every penny is dedicated to the girls' needs". 3:24 Black box has been found India's aviation ministry says workers have recovered the digital flight data recorder - one of two black boxes on the plane, from the rooftop of the building where it crashed. This box has data on engine and control settings, so will be able to show if there was a loss of engine power or lift after takeoff. The investigation will initially focus on the engine, flaps and landing gear, a source told Reuters on Friday. A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the source said, adding that teams of anti-terror experts were part of the investigation process. There is no information yet on the cockpit voice recorder, the other black box, which will be a crucial part of understanding what caused the plane to crash. The country's civil aviation regulator has ordered Air India to do additional maintenance and enhanced safety inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft equipped with General Electric's GEnx engines.
Sky News
14-06-2025
- General
- Sky News
Children orphaned after father killed in Air India plane crash days after mother dies
A father returning home after scattering his wife's ashes was among the victims of the Air India crash, leaving his two young children suddenly orphaned. Flight 171 was carrying 242 people when it struck a medical college hostel less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India. Twenty-nine people on the ground were killed, taking the total number of victims to 270. A hospital official confirmed 270 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, but DNA testing is being conducted to identify the bodies. Just one passenger, a British man from Leicester, survived what has become the worst aviation crash in a decade. Among the victims, 37-year-old Arjun Patoliya had been visiting India to fulfil his wife Bharti's "final wish" to be laid to rest in her hometown of Gujarat. Bharti had died just over two weeks ago, following a "courageous battle with cancer". A GoFundMe page, set up to raise funds for their two children, says: "Arjun left to bid farewell to his wife, never returned to the children they both raised. "Now, these two beautiful young girls have been left without parents - their world turned upside down in just over two weeks." A fundraiser, which has topped more than a quarter of a million pounds, confirms all money raised will go directly into a legal trust, "to ensure every penny is dedicated to the girls' needs". 3:24 Black box has been found India's aviation ministry says workers have recovered the digital flight data recorder - one of two black boxes on the plane, from the rooftop of the building where it crashed. This box has data on engine and control settings, so will be able to show if there was a loss of engine power or lift after takeoff. The investigation will initially focus on the engine, flaps and landing gear, a source told Reuters on Friday. A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the source said, adding that teams of anti-terror experts were part of the investigation process. There is no information yet on the cockpit voice recorder, the other black box, which will be a crucial part of understanding what caused the plane to crash. The country's civil aviation regulator has ordered Air India to do additional maintenance and enhanced safety inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft equipped with General Electric's GEnx engines.
