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The Independent
a day ago
- 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian diaspora in UK coordinates fundraisers for Ahmedabad plane crash-hit families
Live Events You Might Also Like: Insurance payout for passengers of Air India's crashed plane to be governed by Montreal Convention: Experts The Indian diaspora in London has been rallying around to coordinate fundraisers to support the UK-based family members of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims, including urgent assistance for two orphaned Patoliya, among the 241 victims of the Air India plane crash , travelled to Gujarat to fulfil his late wife Bharti's wish to immerse her ashes in India after she recently lost her battle with friends and family launched an online GoFundMe fundraiser in support of their two daughters on Friday and have already raised more than half of the GBP 500,000 target."In just 18 days, two young sisters - only four and eight years old - have lost both of their beloved parents," said Vinod Khimji, from Inspired Elements furniture maker, where Arjun worked.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)"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. Arjun was a valued member of our team at Inspired Elements and also a close family friend for many years. This campaign, set by me and the family, aims to provide security, stability, and love in the years ahead," he funds raised are intended to be placed in a legal trust or to be managed by the appointed legal guardians of their daughters to support their education and emotional needs.A similar effort has been launched for the family of Abdhi Patel, a resident of Northampton in England, who leaves behind her husband, Pankaj, and their eight-year-old son, Meer Patel."Abdhi was a beloved wife, a devoted mother, and a kind soul who touched the lives of everyone she met," one of her friends friends and family have raised nearly GBP 2,000 towards funeral expenses and helping the family adjust to the tragic loss.A family of three, Akeel, Hannaa and their four-year-old daughter Sara, were returning to England from a surprise Eid trip to visit family when the plane crashed on Gloucester Muslim Community informed the congregation of their passing in Thursday's plane crash, and the local community have since raised over GBP 1,000 in support of their families."They were pillars of their local community - Akeel, a committed entrepreneur and community volunteer, Hannaa, a dedicated midwife and nonprofit advocate, and Sara, a bright and joyful child," reads the fundraiser for their relatives in the UK."Their sudden loss has left devastated relatives in Newport and Gloucester. Funds will support funeral and repatriation costs, travel expenses for family from India, grief counselling, and immediate financial support for those left behind," it leaders across the country have been coordinating commemorative events, with the Monitoring Group, Platform for Indian Democracy, and Southall Community Alliance coming together for a vigil in Southall, west London, on Friday evening."With 169 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens onboard, this tragedy hits close to both our homelands. The loss is felt deeply in our communities, in India and the UK. During these difficult times, we must come together to support one another," they said in a joint statement."We also send our praise and thanks to the brave rescue workers who are working on the crash site. As the situation develops, we urge full transparency in the investigation to ensure accountability and safety for all," the statement UK's Foreign Office minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, paid floral tributes at a memorial outside India House on Friday."My thoughts are with the many families in India and the UK affected by yesterday's events. The FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] continues to work all hours to support those who have contacted us for assistance," she High Commission of India in London has also organised a remembrance event for the Indian community on death toll in the tragedy reached 270 on Saturday. The authorities had earlier pegged the death toll at London-bound flight, with 242 people on board, crashed into a medical hostel and its canteen complex on Thursday, moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
