Latest news with #ArjunPatoliya
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remembering the London victims known to have died in Air India plane crash
100 hours have passed since an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed, killing all but one of the passengers and crew. Among the 242 on board were 53 British nationals, with many living across London, and work has since been underway to identify the bodies, Here we remember those Londoners who have so far been confirmed as losing their lives on June 12. Air India flight AI171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International shortly after 1.30pm local time (8.09am GMT) and was scheduled to land at 6.25pm BST. But soon after take-off, the plane lost altitude and crashed into the city below, reportedly striking a doctors' hostel. Officials have also been trying to establish how many people were killed on the ground with the latest total death toll standing at 270. This includes mothers, fathers and children from Harrow, Waltham Forest and Redbridge, some returning to see or from visiting family. Search and rescue teams at the crash site (Ajit Solanki/AP) Arjun Patoliya Two children were orphaned when Arjun Patoliya 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. Mr Patoliya, 37, worked at furniture manufacturer Inspired Elements Ltd, based in Stanmore. He 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'. Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek Fiongal Greenlaw and Jamie Meek from a video shared on social media (Image: @Tik Tok)The couple, who ran Wellness Foundry spiritual wellness centre in Lambeth, are said to be among the dead. The pair, who also worked in Ramsgate, laughed and joked as they filmed a video of themselves at the airport before taking off. Sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi (Image: Family handout/PA Wire) Sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their early 20s, were returning home to London on the Air India flight after surprising their grandmother for her birthday. Speaking to the PA news agency, Ishan Baxi, a cousin who lives in Ahmedabad, said both women had an 'amazing aura' and wanted to 'roam the world'. The Girish family This family of four from Wembley are reported by the BBC to have been on the flight. Hemaxi Shantilal and her husband Girish Lagli are said to have been with their young children Aadiv and Taksvi Girish, with Taksvi sat on an adult's lap. Master Mohammed Adnan 🖤 We at Cann Hall Masjid are deeply saddened by the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives. 🕊️ Among the victims was one of our own — Master Mohammed #AirIndiaCrash #AhmedabadCrash #cannhallmasjid — Cann Hall Masjid (@CannHallMasjid) June 13, 2025 Master Mohammed Adnan had a wife and 11-month-old baby, the Leytonstone mosque he worshipped at has said. The Cann Hall Deen & Education Trust posted on social media: 'It is with great grief that we share the news that one of our own worshippers, Master Mohammed Adnan, was aboard the ill-fated flight. 'Our sincerest condolences are extended to his wife and their 11-month-old baby.' Panna Nagar Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend (Image: Street View)Former nursery headteacher and Ofsted inspector Panna Nagar held her family together 'with her warmth and wisdom', her grandchildren have said. Ms Nagar headed Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend, Kent, for 15 years from 2005. Ashok and Shobhana Patel This British couple was living in Orpington near the Kent-London border. They were on the plane returning home to their two sons, Miten and Hemit, their daughter-in-law Shivani, as well as two grandchildren, Amyra and Arjun, the BBC reports. Mariam and Javed Ali Syed and their two children Mariam and Javed Ali Syed and their two children, five-year-old Zayn and four-year-old Amani, were on the flight returning from a holiday in India, Ms Ali Syed's sister-in-law told the Telegraph. Mr Ali Syed is reported to have worked at a hotel in London while Ms Ali Syed had reportedly worked for Harrods for a decade. Speaking to the Telegraph about the couple's young children, Yasmine Hassan said: 'They are so small, they are five and four. And it's just thinking how scared they must have been.' Redbridge Council has also said that one of its residents died in the crash, although they have not been identified. Council leader Kam Rai said: "Whilst we await more details, I am aware of reports that a local person lost their life and family members of local people have also died. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of all those affected." Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only survivor of the crash. His older brother Ajay was also reportedly on the flight. Speaking outside the family home in Leicester, Jay, a relative of the brothers, said Vishwash spoke to his father after the crash and asked after his brother. Jay told PA: 'After the crash he spoke to his dad worrying about his brother saying, 'Where's Ajay'?'
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.
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Air India crash orphans sisters after father's trip to scatter wife's ashes
LONDON: Two young British girls were left orphaned by the Air India plane crash, after their father travelled to the south Asian country to scatter his wife's ashes. Arjun Patoliya was travelling home to his daughters, aged four and eight, after scattering the ashes of his wife Bharti, who had died just weeks earlier, when the plane crashed on Thursday. "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," said Anjana Patel, the mayor of London's Harrow borough, at a multi-faith vigil for those killed in Thursday's plane crash. At least 279 people died – including passengers, crew members and people on the ground – when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London's Gatwick Airport crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, shortly after take-off. The victims included 52 Britons, 20 of whom are thought to have previously worshipped at Harrow's Siddhashram Shakti Centre, where the vigil was held. "I really hope that those girls will be looked after by all of us," Patel said. "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 added. British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only person to have survived the crash. - AFP
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Young girls orphaned after father dies in Air India Crash fulfilling late wife's final wish
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'. '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 have 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.
