On Saturday, members of Britain's Gujarati community will gather to pay their respects following the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming 241 lives, including 52 British citizens. The London-bound Flight AI171 went down just seconds into its departure, leaving many in the community grieving for their loved ones. As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, British and American teams are assisting local authorities in India with recovery efforts.
The Gujarati diaspora in the U.K., which numbers over 600,000, has deep ties to both India and the United Kingdom. The community includes individuals who arrived from Uganda in the 1970s after fleeing dictatorship, alongside those who emigrated directly from India during the mid-20th century. In Harrow, northwest London, an interfaith prayer and candlelight vigil is scheduled at the International Siddhashram Shakti Center, welcoming diverse participants to remember the victims.
In Wembley, the Brent Indian Association will also hold a memorial gathering later that day. Vigils and services are being organized across temples, mosques, and churches throughout Britain, reflecting the strong kinship among those affected.
In Leicester, the lone survivor of the crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is mourning the loss of his brother Ajay, who was among the passengers. At local temples, including the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre, community members expressed their devastation over the tragedy. Priest Kishan Acharya noted that congregants are struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the disaster, sharing stories of their connections to those who perished and the immense shock felt throughout the community.
"People are shocked, they are not able to digest it,” Acharya said. "So many devotees came today, and the only thing that was in their mouth was about this air crash and who was related to whom.”
