Two young sisters from Harrow, aged just four and eight, have been left orphaned after a heartbreaking series of events claimed the lives of both their parents in less than three weeks, culminating in the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Their mother, Bharti Patoliya, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Her final wish was to have her ashes scattered in her native Gujarat. Her husband, Arjun Patoliya, travelled to India to fulfil that wish.
But tragedy struck again on his return journey: Arjun was among the 270 people killed when Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025.
The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London Gatwick with 242 passengers and crew onboard when it issued a Mayday call just minutes into the flight. It then lost contact and crashed into the densely populated Meghani Nagar area near the Ahmedabad airport. The crash not only claimed lives onboard but also caused fatalities and injuries on the ground. Emergency responders continue to recover remains and assess the damage in the area.
Arjun, who had travelled to India alone to honour his wife’s final rites, never made it back to the daughters they had lovingly raised together in the UK.
The Patoliya family’s story has sparked an outpouring of grief and support. A fundraiser launched by friends, colleagues, and community members — A Family’s Tragedy – Help Secure a Future for Arjun and Bharti’s Daughters — seeks to secure the children’s future.
“In just 18 days, these young girls lost both of their beloved parents,” reads the GoFundMe page. “Arjun left to bid farewell to his wife — and never returned.”
Arjun was a cherished colleague at Inspired Elements and an active member of the Harrow Indian community. Those who knew the couple remember them as devoted parents and kind-hearted individuals.
The campaign outlines several goals:
• To provide the girls with a stable and nurturing home
• To ensure they continue to receive education and emotional support
• To establish trusted long-term care arrangements
• And to build a future rooted in love, healing, and opportunity
Organisers have confirmed that all funds will be directed into a legal trust or to the appointed guardians to ensure financial transparency and sole use for the children’s welfare.
“No amount is too small,” the campaign notes.
“Your support will make a lasting impact. Please donate and share this campaign to help build a secure future for these two girls.”
To contribute, search A Family’s Tragedy – Help Secure a Future for Arjun and Bharti’s Daughters on GoFundMe.
As the investigation into the AI171 crash continues, global communities are not only mourning the broader tragedy but also rallying around the most vulnerable—like the Patoliya sisters—who are left to rebuild their lives in the aftermath.
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