British Gujaratis in Harrow mourn victims of Air India crash as prayers, fear, and community solidarity fill the day.
Grief grips Harrow’s Gujarati community after Air India AI171 tragedy;
many fear personal losses.
London, United Kingdom — Dozens of British Gujaratis gathered at a
prayer hall in Harrow on Thursday evening, overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty
following the fatal crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad. The
north-west London suburb, home to one of the UK’s largest Gujarati communities,
became a focal point for collective mourning as many feared the names of the
victims would strike painfully close to home.
As news of the crash circulated globally, Harrow residents were glued to
their phones, anxiously checking updates and contacting relatives in India. The
sense of panic spread quickly through family chats and community forums, with
many dreading confirmation of names they recognized.
Aneka Shah-Levy, a Labour councillor for Harrow, described the atmosphere
as “deeply unsettling,” admitting she hadn’t yet received confirmation of known
casualties — but feared it was only a matter of time. “Our community is so
interconnected,” she said. “We know someone who knows someone. We’re all
waiting for terrible news.”
Shah-Levy joined others at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre
on Vaughan Road, a popular spiritual and cultural gathering place for local
Hindus. Dozens lit candles, recited mantras, and shared quiet embraces as
prayers echoed through the hall.
“This feeling of panic and sadness has been with me all day,” she added.
“Coming here to gather with others has helped, even if just a little.”
Bhupendra Buch, a retired police community support officer, spoke with
sorrow as he revealed that two of his grandnieces had been aboard the flight.
“We don’t yet know if they survived,” he said. “We’re just hoping for a
miracle.”
Others recounted past connections to those presumed dead. A former
neighbor. A respected elder. A business partner from Ahmedabad. The connections
stretched across generations and continents, a reminder of the enduring ties
between British Gujaratis and their ancestral homeland.
Navin Shah, a former chair of the London Assembly and retired architect,
was born just 20 kilometers from the crash site. “I can still picture the
streets there,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’ve been on that flight many
times. This is personal.”
The area where the aircraft went down includes vulnerable neighborhoods
and informal housing settlements, adding layers of tragedy for those who know
the terrain intimately. “My cousins live nearby,” Shah said. “They’ve told me
of the destruction — it’s horrifying.”
For Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, the spiritual head of the Siddhashram
Centre, the tragedy was both communal and deeply personal. He said he
recognized at least 13 names believed to be on board, including that of former
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who had visited the temple during past
trips to London.
“It’s a big loss,” Guruji said. “Spiritually, emotionally — we’re
hurting. But in times like this, we can only look to God for strength.”
Police officers attended the Harrow gathering, offering quiet support
and security as mourners filled the prayer hall. Organizers expect more such
vigils in the days ahead as names are confirmed and funerals begin.
“We’re bracing for hard days,” said Shah-Levy. “Each name that comes out
could be someone’s father, sister, or childhood friend. This tragedy didn’t
just happen in India — it happened to us, too.”
Beyond Harrow, communities in Leicester, Brent, and Birmingham have
begun organizing similar prayer services. Temples, gurdwaras, and cultural
organizations across the UK have issued statements of condolence and offered
help to grieving families.
Navin Shah hopes to use the moment to advocate for recovery aid to the
area impacted by the crash in Ahmedabad. “If there’s anything good that can
come of this,” he said, “it’s that we help those who were already struggling —
now hit by something unimaginable.”
As the sun set over Harrow, the temple lights flickered against the
walls, reflecting the fragile hope of a community united in grief. “This is a
day we’ll never forget,” said Shah-Levy. “For all the wrong reasons.”
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