Tragedy Strikes Twice: UK Family Affected by Air-India Crash Loses Both Parents
Multitudes contribute to Air India's orphan aid fund
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, two young girls in the UK are now left with no parents after losing both their father and mother in just a few weeks. Their father, Arjun Patoliya, perished in the recent Air-India crash while fulfilling his late wife's final wish to be buried in India. Thousands of people are mobilizing to help secure the children's future.
A wave of emotions has taken hold, with thousands donating for the two daughters of Bharatiben and Arjun Patoliya. The fundraising campaign, launched on GoFundMe by a close friend and colleague of Arjun Patoliya, has raised more than £600,000 so far. The goal is to provide the girls with "security, stability, and love in the coming years."
The Patoliya family faced an unusual predicament living in the UK, as Arjun Patoliya wanted to honor his wife's final wish to have her ashes scattered in the Narmada river, a traditional Hindu practice believed to cleanse the soul. Tragically, he never returned from this trip.
The girls are currently residing with family members who stood by their mother during her valiant battle against cancer. The donations will be placed into a trust fund, earmarked for the girls' education, upbringing, and future.
The Air-India plane crash into a residential building shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad claimed the lives of 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
- India
- Airplane Crash
- Tragedies
- UK
- Airplanes
Fundraising Efforts
- Organizer and Platform: The initiative to support the Patoliya children is driven by close family and friends, whose primary objective is to offer the girls "security, stability, and love in the years ahead."
- Objectives: The funds will be utilized to cover living expenses, schooling, and emotional support for these orphaned girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up without their parents.
- Community Response: The worldwide community has shown unprecedented compassion and support for the affected families, donating generously to various relief efforts.
- Ongoing Campaigns: Other initiatives support other families impacted by the crash, aiming to provide them with financial aid and emotional support during their time of suffering.
Impact
- Immediate Support: The Patoliya children stand to benefit from increased immediate support, ensuring they have access to essential resources and a stable living environment.
- Long-Term Assistance: The collected funds provide a foundation for ongoing support as the girls mature, addressing their immediate needs while arranging future educational and overall well-being plans.
- Community Solidarity: These initiatives demonstrate the shared bond within the British and international communities, rallying behind the impacted families during times of grief and need.
- Family Aid: Similar relief campaigns focus on supporting other affected families, providing financial assistance for repatriation, funeral expenses, and long-term care for surviving relatives.
Identification and Repatriation
- Identification Efforts: Over 200 relatives have provided DNA samples to help identify the victims, with some expressing concern over the slow progress and lack of transparency in the process.
- Government and Airline Cooperation: The UK government collaborates with Air India to provide support in repatriating victims and enlisting forensic expertise to aid in the identification process.
These fundraising efforts represent a crucial lifeline for the families affected by the tragedy, ensuring they don't have to face their future alone.
- The GoFundMe campaign, launched by a close friend and colleague of Arjun Patoliya, is aimed at offering the two daughters of Bharatiben and Arjun "security, stability, and love in the coming years" following the loss of both parents.
- Science and health-and-wellness resources could be essential in supporting the mental health of the Patoliya girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up without their parents.
- The donations, raised for the girls by the worldwide community, could also provide resources for their education, which might cover topics like finance, parenting, and general news to help them understand and navigate their new circumstances.
