Latest news with #Patel
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Maulik Pancholy on ‘Murder at the Patel Motel': ‘I wanted to write a complicated Indian American family'
Maulik Pancholy's Murder at the Patel Motel, the comedy podcast from Audible, is a fun Agatha Christie style murder mystery. 'I always thought it would be nice to write something centred around an Indian American family,' Maulik says over a video call on a hot day in New York. 'While people know of Indian American families running convenience stores, I am always surprised at how few people know of the phenomenon of Patel motels.' Nearly 50% of motels in the United States are owned by Indian Americans, the 51-year-old Maulik says. 'People in the know jokingly refer to them as the Patel motel cartel, because they have such a huge interest in the hotel lobbying industry.' Coming home Maulik plays Milan Patel, who has just got his big break in New York as the event planner for the Met Gala. He visits his parents at the family-run motel in Montana for a weekend family get-together, which quickly gets complicated with the appearance of a corpse. 'I never felt comfortable in my skin in the town that I grew up in,' Maulik confesses. 'I always thought I had to get away to become who I am.' The 30 Rock-actor wanted to explore what it would be like to return to the past to face one's demons. 'What would happen if the person that you needed to reconcile with suddenly wasn't around? That's where the idea for this murder mystery set in a small town motel came about. I wanted to write a complicated Indian American family. I wanted to write a lead gay character. And I wanted to write something that I can play (laughs).' On location The Montana setting, Maulik says, came up after a chat with a writer who described her small town in Montana where there was just one Asian family. 'We set the story in a town where this family is isolated. And the Patel motel became the framework for this family and what it means to them. There's the immigrant story of Milan's father, who started this motel, and the dreams that he got to fulfill or not.' The audio format suits mystery, Maulik says. 'You have to listen carefully for someone walking down a hallway or heading into a dark, isolated basement. How do the echoes of their voice off the wall sound? How do you build tension through the way the voice sounds, the whispering? Sound designer and editor, Daniel Brunell did such a beautiful job.' Sound options Though Maulik was writing in the audio space for the first time, his co-writers, Zachary Grady and Achilles Stamatelaky, have written audio series before. 'Their perspective was helpful on multiple levels. You can't cut to somebody's reaction,' Maulik says laughing. 'You have to communicate the story to the producers who are going to give your notes to the sound designer… The way you write, including descriptions of places, has to be from an audio perspective. We're working on how the listener is going to hear this world.' Writing a gay Indian American protagonist was a way for Maulik to mine the breadth of his experience. 'Milan's identity in the show is one of the reasons he has a troubled relationship with his past and his town. I'm interested in telling stories that we don't get to see enough of. I hesitate to say normalising, or evening it out, but we are just saying these characters exist, and they go through the same things that any other character would. It was important to me that we create a nuanced, complex LGBTQI character of colour. And I get to play a detective (laughs) which was exciting too.' Ensemble cast Murder at the Patel Motel features a stellar cast, which includes Murray Bartlett as Milan's partner, Karan Soni as a poor relation and Poorna Jagannathan as Milan's no-nonsense mother. Working with the cast was a joy, Maulik says laughing. 'I can't tell you how many times we were cracking up in the sound booth. I've known Murray, Karan and Poorna for such a long time, and I was so thrilled that they said yes to the project.' The recordings moved quickly, Maulik says. 'We were barreling through it, and it's a challenge, for actors to stay fully present, and track their arc from episode to episode. Every single person was not only funny, but also brought so much depth and heart into the show.' Surprise appearance Padma Lakshmi makes a delightful appearance as herself in the podcast. 'She's so funny, and I'm so thrilled that people are getting to see just how talented an actress and comedian she is. I've known Padma for a long time, and I reached out to her and I'm so grateful that she made time to do it.' Murder at the Patel Motel straddles three genres, Maulik says. 'It is a nuanced family story, a comedy and a murder mystery. We tried to ground the characters as much as possible, and put them in these situations that were comedic. Everybody's playing these situations as though it is completely real, even as the circumstances start to get weird. We also looked at shows and films like The White Lotus and Knives Out, to see the dynamics, especially about pushing between comedy and mystery.' Universal themes One of the cool things about the show, Maulik says, is, even though it is an Indian American family, and the lead character is gay, it touches on universal themes. 'What is it like to go home? What is it like to lose someone that you are unsure of how you feel about? What is it like to navigate relationships?' It has been a busy year for Maulik. 'I just finished filming a movie written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg with Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti. It's his first movie post A Real Pain, and it was super fun. We just wrapped on Season Five of Phineas and Ferb. I am writing my third novel, a young adult romantic comedy set between worlds of Bollywood and Jackson Heights Queens in New York. It is slated for a summer 2026 release.' At the end of the podcast, there is another murder. On whether there is going to be a season two of The Murder at the Patel Motel, Maulik says, 'We wrote it that way, and no one told us to make it more final. So perhaps there will be, I will keep you posted as soon as I know.' Murder at the Patel Motel is available on Audible
News18
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mona Patel Stuns In Velvet And Tulle At Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda Show
For her appearance at Dolce & Gabbana's Alta Moda show in Rome, Mona Patel turned heads in a black velvet bustier and a voluminous skirt that paid homage to Roman imperial motifs. Fashion visionary and tech entrepreneur Mona Patel made a striking appearance in Rome this week, attending Dolce & Gabbana's prestigious Alta Moda presentation. She recently took to Instagram to share a series of images from the event, captioned cheekily, 'The Roman Gods may look down with envy! Alta Mona in Alta Moda @dolcegabbana in the Eternal City." Her ensemble, drawn from the label's latest couture line, embodied a seamless blend of regal European glamour and her signature boldness. Known for consistently delivering high-octane fashion moments, Mona Patel turned heads once again in a Dolce & Gabbana creation that cleverly bridged the gap between Western couture and Indian traditional wear. Her look featured a sculpted velvet bustier with thick shoulder straps, a plunging sweetheart neckline, and a midriff-baring cropped fit that exuded fierce femininity. Paired with the bustier was a voluminous printed skirt, designed with a silk panel in front that paid homage to Roman imperial motifs. Beneath it, a nude-hued tulle underskirt added volume and architectural grace. Cinching it all together was a signature Dolce & Gabbana belt, adding structure and sophistication. The Glam Details For accessories, Mona opted for restraint and impact, sporting a single diamond statement ring. Her hair flowed in soft blowout waves, parted to the side, while her makeup played up classic glamour: berry-tinted lips, defined brows, soft brown shadow, flushed cheeks, and a radiant highlighter sculpting her features with subtle drama. India at the Heart of Haute Couture Patel's appearance wasn't just about fashion – it marked a meaningful moment for representation. Wearing next season's runway look in the historic Roman Forum itself, she stood out among an ultra-exclusive guest list that included names like Cher, Christian Bale, Anna Wintour, and Isabella Rossellini. Her presence and her growing relationship with Dolce & Gabbana signal the evolving landscape of European couture – one where Indian voices are no longer at the periphery but moving confidently into the spotlight. Who Is Mona Patel? Mona Patel is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with a portfolio spanning healthcare, technology, and real estate. She has founded multiple successful businesses over the last two decades across global markets. Educated at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, Patel brings a multidisciplinary approach to business and social impact. In parallel with her business interests, Patel is a dedicated collector of haute couture, with a collection that reflects a lifelong engagement with craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Through her philanthropic organisation, Couture for Cause, she directs resources toward girls' education and women's entrepreneurship, with a focus on sustainable, long-term outcomes. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
How to get a testosterone prescription online
New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Suffering from sore joints, scrambled thoughts, lagging libido, a receding hairline — or perhaps, all of the above? According to a growing community of endocrinologists, such unwelcome signs may not simply mean that you're starting to 'slow down'. These symptoms could also be due to lowered testosterone levels. A 2023 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology revealed that testosterone levels in American men have plummeted about 1% per year since the 1980s. There are several potential causes that have been explored, including lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors. However, the decline in testosterone can not be attributed to aging alone. Business leaders, like Deep Patel, are working to raise more awareness around what he has described as the 'male version of menopause,' and bring men a safe, accessible solution — Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Find Out About Our Top TRT Pick 7 Ulo Ulo Feeling low on energy? Ulo offers a personalized approach to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), starting with an at-home lab test and virtual consultation with a licensed provider. If TRT is recommended, treatment options — including injections, gels, and oral medications — are delivered straight to your door. Plans start at $159/month. You'll only be charged if a provider determines treatment is appropriate and writes a prescription. Treatment is currently available in select states and includes ongoing support throughout your plan. Learn more about how it works and if it's available in your state at Ulo's website. LEARN MORE 'TRT stands for Testosterone Replacement Therapy. It's a way of bringing your testosterone levels back into a healthy range when your body isn't producing enough. You're not taking extra. You're restoring what your system is missing,' Patel, who co-founded telehealth startup Ulo, explained. Patel says that when TRT is done right, it can give you your life back. A 2019 study on prescription testosterone found that 52% of men claimed testosterone improved their energy, 42% saw improvements in their libido, and 29% reported muscle growth. 7 irantzuarb – While TRT has exhibited a range of benefits, Patel is also open about some of the potential risks. He explained that some of the more common side effects include acne, water retention, or elevated red blood cell counts, which can thicken your blood. Some men experience testicular shrinkage or reduced fertility. Currently, TRT is only FDA-approved for specific conditions, such as a testosterone deficiency (also called hypogonadism) or diminished functional activity of the gonads. In order to start TRT, men will need to get a prescription for testosterone, which requires a blood test. There are a few important steps, but getting an online testosterone prescription is actually much easier than it might appear, thanks to modern telemedicine. Today, those interested in starting TRT can get evaluated, tested, and prescribed TRT right from their laptops, through online TRT clinics like Ulo. How do you get a testosterone prescription online? To piece together the steps needed to get a testosterone prescription online, the Post consulted several medical experts and leaders in the TRT space. Below, find our expert-backed, step-by-step guide. 1. Research reputable online TRT clinics 7 Nattakorn – Tomo Marjanovic is the owner of Aspire Rejuvenation Clinic, a wellness center specializing in personalized hormone therapy and holistic wellness solutions. Before starting your search, it's important to make note of regulations. In the U.S., a provider must be licensed in the patient's state to legally prescribe testosterone. Finding a reputable clinic doesn't stop at that. Marjanovic explained that it's important to look for a TRT clinic that connects patients with licensed medical providers and offers a multi-step process to ensure clients have the information they need before making a decision. 'The clinic should require comprehensive labs, a detailed intake process, and a real conversation with a knowledgeable provider,' explained Marjanovic. 'If the only interaction is an automated signup form or a rushed consult, that's a big red flag.' There are a few other red flags to look out for, according Marjanovic. He recommends skipping any sites that don't require bloodwork and consultations before providing. Clinics should always create individualized plans for treatement and monitor symptoms along the way. A telehealth platform that focuses more on marketing than medicine is also best avoided: 'If it feels more like ordering supplements than receiving medical treatment, it's a problem,' he added. Most reputable telehealth clinics will offer testosterone treatment in the form of injections, tablets, creams, or all of the above. 2. Complete the intake form, considering all symptoms and medical history Before you take a blood test, most reputable online TRT clinics will ask for detailed background information through a medical intake form. Patients should expect several questions about their symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits, such as exercise, diet, and drug use. Deep Patel, who is the co-founder of Ulo, emphasized that patients may experience a range of different symptoms. It's important to flag any internal signals, as well as external signs of a hormone deficiency. 'Common symptoms include constant fatigue even when you're sleeping enough, low sex drive, trouble focusing, mood swings or irritability, loss of muscle or strength despite working out, increased belly fat, and even depression or anxiety,' Patel described. At Ulo, the intake form is pretty straightforward. Patients are asked about medical issues, conditions, or previous diagnoses, such as elevated blood pressure or a history of cancer. There are also some questions regarding fertility, which Patel points out is important to consider. TRT significantly suppresses natural testosterone production, which can also reduce sperm production. 'If fertility matters to you, there are medications like HCG or enclomiphene that can be taken alongside TRT to preserve it,' Patel explained. 'Just make sure your provider knows that's a priority from the beginning.' It might be tempting to rush through an intake form, but it's quite important to pay attention to these questions as your responses will dictate the type of treatement that is best for you. 3. Get your bloodwork done, measuring total and free testosterone 7 Pixelbliss – Prior to getting a prescription for testosterone, patients are required to submit bloodwork for analysis. Online clinics have simplified the process by offering at-home test kits that can be delivered straight to your door and mailed back to the lab for review. At-home tests typically require a quick finger prick, but each kit has different instructions, so it's important to read them carefully. If at-home testing is not for you, it's also possible to take a blood test through local lab partnerships, such as Quest or Labcorp. Blood tests can measure different hormone levels, but for a TRT prescription, the primary indicators and total testosterone in your blood. Most testosterone is bound to different proteins, like sex hormone-binding globulin and albumin. However, some testosterone remains unbound, also called 'free testosterone.' Other hormones to consider testing for include estradiol, thyroid, are cortisone. The majority of TRT clinics consider normal testosterone levels to land anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. However, this is just a baseline, and the experts we spoke to have pointed out that the numbers alone don't tell the whole story. 'Some men experience symptoms at 400 or 500 ng/dL if their free testosterone or androgen sensitivity is off. Diagnosis should never rely on numbers alone,' explained Marjanovic. 4. Meet with a licensed provider to discuss your background, ask questions, and clarify risks 7 Kamitana – Receiving an online testosterone prescription should not happen without a conversation. Speaking to a board-certified Doctor is crucial, according to Michael Aziz, the author of 'The Ageless Revolution' and a regenerative physician specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC. Patients should always confirm their doctor's expertise and education as it relates to testosterone therapy. Perferably, the physician on the call should specialize in endocrinology, urology, and internal medicine with anti-aging training. 'To have an accurate diagnosis, a detailed medical history and exam should be conducted. A Zoom call or telemedicine should be conducted,' Aziz explained. 'The doctor should take into consideration a complete review of symptoms… The clinic's approach to TRT should be comprehensive rather than just giving a script for testosterone treatment.' This consultation provides an opportunity for patients to discuss their goals and ask any questions they might have, but Doctors should also clarify any issues raised through the intake form or bloodwork. It's also a good time to discuss the risks and benefits of different forms of treatement. 'The delivery method of TRT is best chosen by both the doctor and the patient based on the patient's lifestyle and symptoms,' Aziz suggested. 'Gels are used daily, but can be transferred to sexual partners and children. Injections can be self-injected once to twice a week, or administered by the doctor every 10 weeks.' After weighing all the options, the provider will create a personalized treatement plan for the patient. 5. Get your testosterone prescription and begin treatment; follow-up to report progress and side effects 7 OleCNX – At companies like Ulo, the process for starting TRT is straightforward and streamlined. Once a patient receives their prescription, treatement can be sent to their door in as little as a week. However, the one-on-one care doesn't stop when they start taking it. 'We rely on data and feedback from the patient. Your physician will examine your blood work and any changes in symptoms, and will ask how you're feeling in general,' Patel shared. At Ulo, the first lab takes place before your initial consultation with the doctor. A second lab is done 30 days after treatment begins to help prepare for your 45-day follow-up. After that, labs are required every quarter and are paired with a live consultation to make sure your treatment stays safe, effective, and personalized. 'If something seems off or if you're not progressing as expected, the team at Ulo will make adjustments to dosage, frequency, or support meds. Everything can be fine-tuned. The goal is to ensure you feel your best,' Patel explained. As with any treatement plan, it's possible that your tesosterone prescription will need to be altered over time. Be sure to report any progress, concerns, or questions to your provider. This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston's favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Observer
a day ago
- General
- Observer
A Father Braces for Life After a Plane Crash Took His ‘Everything'
AHMEDABAD, India — Before dawn, in the solitude of his upstairs room, Anil Ambalal Patel prepared to say a last goodbye to the couple who had brought love back into his life. Lingering in his bed, the city around him still asleep, he stared at the two faces on his phone screen: his son, Harshit, and his daughter-in-law, Pooja. He stared and stared, and then moved the phone close to his lips, kissing each forehead. They were gone now, and what little joy he had finally found after years of hardship was gone, too. On this day, he would be with them once more as he scattered their ashes in the Narmada River, at the junction where three streams meet. Twelve days earlier, Patel, a 60-year-old widower who works for a security company in Ahmedabad, India, had wished Harshit and Pooja safe travels after they spent two weeks with him on a surprise visit from Britain, where they had relocated in search of a better life. And then suddenly they were taken from him, killed along with 239 others when Air India Flight 171 crashed soon after it took off on June 12 and burst into an inferno. 'They were my everything,' he said of the couple in an interview. 'They were my support.' In its vast sprawl, in its deep inequality, India can feel like a pit that swallows people like the Patels — the poor, the aspiring — and renders them nameless, numbers rounded off in a nation of 1.4 billion people. They face enormous odds as they try to rise from poverty to the middle class, and their quest is often solitary, as family members travel in search of jobs. For Patel, the deaths of Harshit and Pooja snuffed out a dream of economic mobility and familial community in an instant. 'I Loved Uma' Born poor in a country still divided by caste and class, Patel never got a proper education beyond basic literacy. He made do by working hard, moving from town to town in search of odd jobs. In 1990, he married Uma, a woman with lucid eyes, a meticulous routine, and more education than he had. They raised two children: a daughter, Radhi, and Harshit. In the face of constant dislocation, Uma Patel kept the family together. Her mornings were taken up by prayer, housework, and preparing children for school. Her afternoons were dedicated to catching up on the news. 'She never missed reading the day's newspaper,' Anil Patel said. 'She would discuss with me all that she read when I came back in the evening.' The family settled in Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, where Patel worked as an auto-rickshaw driver. After an accident that left him unable to drive, he found a job as a security guard and then a security supervisor. Radhi had already been married and lived with her husband. Harshit got a job, first at a call center and then at a ceramics company, to help out. A few years ago, Uma Patel was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. The couple scrambled to borrow thousands of dollars for her treatment, with Anil Patel often skipping work to stay by her side. But it was too late. On the day that turned out to be her last, Uma Patel insisted that she was feeling better and that he return to work. 'I loved Uma a lot,' Anil Patel said. She died at age 48. Father and son chipped away at paying back the loans. They shared a flat, with Patel's elderly mother occasionally visiting them. That was when Pooja came into Patel's life. Harshit met her at work. In Gujarat, which is still deeply conservative, dating and marriages that are not arranged are rare, especially matches between people from different castes, religions, and, in the case of Harshit and Pooja, ethnic backgrounds. Harshit was Gujarati, and Pooja was Marathi, her family hailing from the neighboring state of Maharashtra. Pooja's parents expected to arrange a marriage for her, so she and Harshit had to carry on a secret romance. They took holidays together, not divulging their plans even to their closest friends. When Pooja needed a pretext to travel, she would give her parents a signed letter from Harshit and say it was from her office manager. Six years ago, the couple went to a marriage registration office and got married. Then they flew to the coastal state of Goa and stayed for 12 days. After Pooja's family cooled off, they held a small function to share the news with relatives. Patel's house was no longer lonely after his new daughter-in-law moved in. 'The day Pooja came to our house, she brought peace,' Patel said. Harshit was reserved, but Pooja loved dancing and was always the life of the party. Patel was so enamored of her and so grateful for her company that he came to believe she possessed miraculous healing powers. At one point, the baby daughter of Pooja's cousin had an ailment in which water constantly ran from her eyes. 'Pooja ran her hand over her head,' Patel recalled. 'The next day, the baby's eyes stopped watering.' During their time living with Patel, Harshit and Pooja went out for long dinners at rooftop cafes with Harshit's school friend Foram Gohil, and her husband, Rajveer Gohil. The couple took so many trips together that their shared WhatsApp group has more than 2,000 photos. Foram Gohil was afraid of flying, but Harshit loved planes, so they compromised when they traveled: one way by air, one by train. But Harshit and Pooja wanted more. Seeing little opportunity for economic advancement, they soon moved out of Patel's home and away from him and their friends. Pooja, by all accounts a stellar student, became their ticket to a middle-class life. She got into a Master of Business Administration program at De Montfort University in Leicester, England, and Harshit went along on a spouse visa. The families pooled together loans to pay for it. The couple encouraged Patel to move in with Pooja's parents, whose home in Ahmedabad had a room on the roof that they rented to tenants. Patel joined them downstairs for his meals. In Leicester, Pooja spent her days studying while Harshit picked up delivery gigs. After Pooja graduated, the couple planned to stay in Britain for a couple of years to work and pay off their loans. Last month, they made a surprise trip home to India. They joined the Gohils for dinners that dragged late into the night, like the old days. And they got a fast-track passport for the elder Patel so he could visit them occasionally until they moved back full-time. Days of Waiting On the day of their flight back, they video-called Patel from the boarding gate. From their seats, they sent a selfie video to the couple's WhatsApp group. Harshit, who was holding the camera, said, 'Bye-bye, Foram and Rajveer.' Pooja, wearing glasses with large frames, pouted, waved, and sent a kiss. When Gohil heard that the plane had crashed so soon after takeoff, he felt sure it was a minor accident and his friends would walk out fine. 'When we find them, we will take their passports and slap them so hard they will forget about taking any more flights,' he remembered his wife telling him. He called Patel, who climbed down from his upstairs room to watch the flames on TV with Pooja's parents. Within hours, hopes dimmed. There was only one survivor, in Seat 11A, his escape a miracle. The rest of the passengers were declared dead. For the next five days, Patel waited numbly in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital while authorities conducted DNA testing to identify bodies. He and Pooja's father, Ashok Vamanrao Mate, gave samples of their blood for DNA testing. Outside the heavily guarded morgue, hundreds of grieving family members fluctuated between horror and disbelief, even as some clung vainly to hope. One man had walked out of the wreckage — just like that. Was it so unreasonable to wish for miracles still? On the third day after the crash, Patel received a phone call that Harshit's body had been identified. Pooja's still had not. He resolved to stay until he could take both of them home. He understood the enormity of the task that was underway, but was losing patience at how impersonal the situation had become and how inconsiderate the bureaucracy was. As he waited in the heat and rain, Patel often sank into himself, his large frame slouched and lost. Then he would pick himself up again, dragging himself to check in with authorities. Though he was accompanied by relatives on most days, he seemed to find little peace, repeating to strangers that his wife had died of breast cancer and that he had no one left. That he was alone now. His solitude was not merely physical. Many in Patel's extended family had ascended to the middle class and no longer had to travel to find work. Frequent dislocation meant his life centered on tighter circles — his immediate family and a small number of friends who understood the hardship and uncertainty he had faced. 'Whoever has been close to me, God has taken them away,' Patel said one day, in tears. 'Uma was close to me. God snatched her away. Radhi was close. She married and left. Harshit and Pooja were close. Now they are also gone.' Patel didn't want to eat, so his close friend Rajesh Vaghela made sure he visited the food truck set up by volunteers. 'Pooja's parents are already sick and in the house,' he said. 'If he also falls sick, who will take care of everything?' On the fifth day, Pooja's body was finally identified. Her father returned for the first time since submitting his DNA sample. He and his wife had been bedridden with shock. Patel's daughter, Radhi, came with her husband. The Gohils came, too. The group had to stop at various desks to receive the postmortem report, to accept the death certificate. Government officials recorded each transaction on video, often asking the families to pose for the cameras, as if they were receiving graduation certificates. At one stop, the parents were given a consent form saying they could choose to be notified if more remains were found. Patel broke down when Vaghela read the form to him. 'No, please,' he said. 'Just give us what you have. Put us out of this misery. This is enough.' The family was then allowed into the room where the remains were kept. Patel had brought photographs of Pooja and Harshit, and they were pasted on the closed coffins. As officials continued taking photographs, Patel tearfully hugged and kissed the coffins. A police van led the way for the two ambulances that carried the bodies home. About 100 people gathered near the house to see them before they were cremated. Pooja's mother, Chanda, fainted when she saw her daughter's coffin. Later, at the crematory, the ashes were brought out and handed to Patel — first Harshit's, then Pooja's. Pointing to the containers, Patel said, 'They've left me only this.' The Banks of the Narmada The city was just waking up as Patel left home with the ashes. The final Hindu rites would be on the banks of the Narmada River, where the ashes of Patel's wife, mother and father had also been scattered. During the three-hour taxi ride to the river, Patel, who had shaved his head as part of an earlier funeral ritual, kept the bag of ashes close to his chest. It poured all morning. After some initial prayers inside a small temple, the family made their way down the slope to the river. The skies above were dark gray, the water muddy. The priest recited a prayer, and Patel's son-in-law poured the ashes out of their clay urn into the river. Patel, his head bent, brought his folded hands to his face for a gentle prayer before walking back. During a five-hour ceremony at a temple, the priest asked for names — Harshit's mother's name, her mother's name, and so on. 'They are sending him to three generations of our ancestors,' said Patel's brother, Rohit, a retired school principal. The final prayers were said. The mounds of rice and the neat arrangements of marigolds, traditional parts of Hindu funerals, were dismantled and lapped into buckets. Patel gently sobbed in a corner. 'I will miss Pooja a lot,' Patel said, tearing up. 'If she found out I hadn't eaten or hadn't come home in time, she would call me to inquire after me.' In the days since the loss, Patel's routine hasn't changed. But its loneliness feels more permanent. After brushing his teeth over the rooftop sink each morning, he still goes downstairs to have breakfast with Pooja's parents. Most evenings, he gets home from work by 8 p.m. and joins Pooja's parents for dinner. He finishes the night by watching a movie on his phone, a habit he started after his wife died. 'I fall asleep watching it,' he said. As compensation for their losses, Air India has given about $30,000 to each family affected by the crash and promised an additional $120,000. Patel is still thinking about what he will do with his share of the money. Perhaps buy a small flat near his daughter. He is certain of this much: He will start an education fund for Pooja's 6-year-old niece, who was born the year Harshit and Pooja married. 'So she can get her education,' Patel said. 'And when she grows up, she can have a complete life.' This article originally appeared in
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
IT professional among three arrested, Rs 40.35 lakh hawala money recovered in Bharuch: Police
An IT professional, among three persons, was arrested and Rs 40.35 lakh hawala money was allegedly recovered from them, in Bharuch, said police on Friday. The Bharuch Special Operation Group (SOG) officials arrested the three accused, all residents of Bharuch, on Thursday night. The police identified the accused as Mohammed Javid Patel (24), who works as an IT professional at a private firm; Huzaifa Patel (22), who works as an assistant engineer at a factory, and Zakariya Bariwala (Patel) (23), who works at another private firm. The three accused have been booked under the provisions of the BNSS, said police. According to police, the three accused had on Monday stolen the hawala money from a man's car in Ankleshwar. The man, identified as Maulvi Musa Randera (Patel) of Surat district's Mangrol taluka, works at a madrasa in Maharashtra's Aurangabad, said police. Earlier, the Bharuch police had received a tip-off about three men stealing an Eco car from the parking of Omkar Complex in Ankleshwar. On checking the CCTV footage of the area, the Bharuch SOG police found that the three accused persons, who had come on a two-wheeler, had stolen money from the car, not the vehicle. Further probe led the police to the three accused, who were hiding in a house in Bharuch district's Karmad village, said sources. On Thursday, the Bharuch SOG police arrested the three men. During checking, the police recovered Rs 40.35 lakh from the accused even as the rest of the amount is yet to be seized. After primary interrogation, the trio confessed to the theft in Ankleshwar. Bharuch SOG Police Inspector Anand Chaudhary said, 'Accused Huzaifa knew that his friend Shakir Patel was involved in a hawala racket in Bharuch. A few days back, he had hacked Shakir's mobile phone and was tracking his WhatsApp messages. On Sunday, Huzaifa came to know about a large amount of money being delivered in a garment shop for Maulvi Musa Randera (Patel). Huzaifa along with his two friends reached the area on the said date and started following the Maulvi. The Maulvi, after collecting the money from the shop in his Eco car, left the spot'. Inspector Chaudhary added: 'The three accused later chased the car till the Omkar Complex in Ankleshwar, where the Maulvi parked his vehicle and went for shopping at a nearby store. The three accused meanwhile stole the Rs 48 lakh from his car and escaped.' Based on the statements given by the accused, the Bharuch SOG police questioned the garment shop owner, Afzal Patel, who is also Zakariya's elder brother. During his interrogation, Afzal shared that 'Shakir Patel had told him that one Zahur Patel would deliver Rs 48 lakh in cash at his shop and the same should be given to Maulvi Randera'. On the basis of Afzal's statements, the Bharuch SOG police detained the Maulvi and Shakir Patel for questioning even as accused Zahur Patel is absconding, said sources. Chaudhary further added, 'During the probe, the Maulvi told us that the money was sent by his cousin brother Zahid Nomani, a resident of Zambia, as the former wanted to purchase a house.' Inspector Chaudhary said, 'We cross-checked the information shared by Maulvi and found that his cousin did go to Zambia around five years ago but is not financially sound. A probe has been launched into the matter.' Meanwhile, police sources said that Shakir and Afzal Patel 'had been involved in hawala trading activities for the past couple of years'. The Bharuch police, after seizing Rs 40.35 lakh, informed the Enforcement Directorate officials in Surat, said sources.
