British Indian communities across different parts of the UK have been galvanised in an outpouring of support since the heart-breaking Ahmedabad-London Air India plane crash last month, which claimed the lives of 53 British nationals.
An enormous £677,160 has been raised, beating the £500,000 target set, for two orphaned girls who lost their father in the crash soon after losing their mother to cancer. Arjun Patoliya, among the 241 victims of the June 12 disaster in Ahmedabad, had travelled to Gujarat to fulfill his wife Bharti’s dying wish to scatter her ashes in India. An online ‘Go Fund Me’ fundraiser in support of their daughters, aged eight and four, set up by Arjun’s colleague Vinod Khimji to “help secure a future for Arjun and Bharti’s daughters” has had an overwhelming response.
Khimji expressed his gratitude to the community efforts: “In the space of just 18 days, two young sisters faced an unimaginable loss of both of their parents. A tragedy that shattered their world and touched the hearts of everyone who heard their story.
“But in the 18 days that followed, something remarkable happened. Family. Friends. Strangers. Entire communities. People from all walks of life came together — united by compassion, generosity, and a shared determination to help. Together, we have raised over £675,000 — a powerful testament to the goodness of humanity, a strength of community and the shared commitment to uplift these two young souls.”
He said the funds will be placed into a “dedicated trust” in support of the girls as they rebuild their lives.
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In Northampton, Abdhi Patel’s grieving family has also been supported with a similar inspiring community drive with over £7,000 raised in support of her husband, Pankaj Patel, and their 8-year-old son Meer. The funds raised are intended to cover funeral expenses and support “Meer’s education and future needs and helping Pankaj adjust to life as a single parent”.
Meanwhile, Keystone Law firm in London said it has begun advising families who lost loved ones in the Air India 171 tragedy. It said the team has adopted a strict “evidence-based approach” to the potential causes of the tragedy as the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Disaster Victim Identification assist Indian authorities with the technical safety investigation as well as the DNA identification and return of loved ones to their families.
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“Our International A-list team continue to do the good for the families of AI 171, with the primary aims of establishing truth and justice,” said James Healy-Pratt, Aviation Partner at Keystone Law.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said it is conducting a full probe “from all angles, including any possible sabotage”.
*Info: Go Fund Me