On Saturday, members of the British Gujarati community will gather at various locations across the U.K. to commemorate those lost in the Air India disaster. Flight AI171, which tragically crashed shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad, India, claimed the lives of 241 individuals, including 52 British nationals primarily from the Gujarati diaspora. An investigation into the cause of this devastating incident is underway, with support from British and American teams as recovery efforts continue.
The connection between Britain and Ahmedabad is historically significant, with over 600,000 British Gujaratis residing in the U.K., many of whom have fled political unrest from places like Uganda or immigrated from India decades ago. Memorial events will be held at Neasden Temple, the International Siddhashram Shakti Center, and the Brent Indian Association, among other locations, ensuring that communities of all faiths are welcome to participate in interfaith prayers.
In Leicester, where the sole survivor of the crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is from, mourning has been particularly poignant, especially for those who knew victims, like Ramesh's brother Ajay. Local temples have reported a communal sense of trauma as families grieve together, reflecting on their loss and the vast number of connections to the deceased.
“People are in shock,” said Kishan Acharya, a priest at a local temple. He expressed the communal sorrow felt across the city as the impact of the tragedy ripples through families and friends. "No one can believe what has happened." As strength in unity prevails, this diasporic community continues to honor those lost with love and remembrance.
