In the wake of the tragic Air India plane crash, members of the large British Gujarati community are organizing memorial services to pay respect to their loved ones and offer support to grieving families.
British Gujaratis Unite in Mourning Following Air India Tragedy
British Gujaratis Unite in Mourning Following Air India Tragedy
A somber gathering is set as the U.K.'s Gujarati community comes together to honor victims of the devastating crash in India.
Members of the Gujarati diaspora in the United Kingdom are preparing to convene on Saturday to commemorate those who lost their lives in the catastrophic Air India Flight AI171 crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The ill-fated journey claimed 241 lives, including 52 British citizens.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash—deemed the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade—British and American teams are collaborating with Indian authorities at the recovery site.
The connections between the U.K. and Ahmedabad run deep, with over 600,000 British Gujaratis currently residing in Britain. Many of these individuals have familial ties to Gujarat, some having relocated from Uganda during the regime of dictator Idi Amin, which forced a significant Asian exodus to the U.K. in the 1970s. Others trace their roots back to the 1950s and 60s.
In Harrow, northwest London, the International Siddhashram Shakti Center is set to host an interfaith memorial service on Saturday afternoon, allowing people of all backgrounds to gather for prayer and reflection. Just four miles away, the Brent Indian Association will hold its own memorial service at its Wembley headquarters, with similar events taking place across churches, mosques, and temples throughout Britain.
In Leicester, the city where the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, resides, mourning extends to families and friends as they grieve loved ones lost in the crash, including Ramesh's brother, Ajay.
At the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre in Leicester, services are underway with congregants praying for those who perished. Priest Kishan Acharya noted that many temple attendees are devastated, sharing their grief and disbelief at the tragedy's impact. “People are shocked; they are not able to digest it,” he said, as many lamented the loss of those connected to their community.
