Latest news with #KiritPatel
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Postmaster whose father died in Air India crash faces battle with Royal Mail to save the family business
A village postmaster grieving the loss of his father in the Air India plane crash is facing a battle with Royal Mail to save his business. Umang Patel has flown out to India to join the hundreds of people who attended the funeral of his father, Kirit, who died when the London-bound flight crashed during takeoff in Ahmedabad last week. Kirit Patel was on the flight for his annual summer visit to the UK, where he hoped to support his son and his son's wife, Vaishali, run a Post Office and shop in the Somerset village of Pensford, near Bristol. But their immense personal loss is not the only battle the family is having to deal with, with a decision by Royal Mail to close a small delivery office in the branch threatening the future of their livelihood. In April, Umang Patel called on the village for support when he told the local parish council that the post office made up 60 per cent of his income, and without it, the branch would not be viable. Councillors responded by writing to oppose the closure, arguing it was a 'lifeline' for vulnerable residents in the community, with the nearest branch three miles away. A petition has also been launched, with more than 1,200 people signing it, many after the loss of Mr Patel's father last week. The family was also the subject of a crowdfunding campaign that raised £11,000 after his death, but they asked for it to be taken down after costs had been met because they 'did not want to take advantage', according to villager Jim Beacham. Royal Mail confirmed that a plan was in place to shut the small delivery office, with the date for closure understood to be in September. A spokesperson said: 'Our small delivery office within Pensford Post Office is being merged into the New Paulton Delivery Office. Relocating to a larger, dedicated facility will provide better working conditions for our posties and support a more efficient delivery service. 'Residents can be assured that deliveries will continue as normal.' A Post Office spokesperson said a post office area manager had been working with Mr Patel to help limit the 'financial implications' of the move. Ways to grow the business were also being explored, they added. They said: 'We have offered our sincere condolences to Pensford Postmaster, Umang Patel, for the tragic death of his father Kirit Patel in the Air India plane crash. Umang, his wife Vaishali and two sons are much-loved members of the village community. Umang and Vaishali have run a first-class Post Office and shop for more than 10 years and are very popular as demonstrated by the community rallying round to support them at this very difficult time.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Village postmaster's dad named as Air India victim
The father of the village postmaster has been named among those who died in the Air India plane crash last week. Kirit Patel was killed when the London-bound Air India plane crashed soon after taking off on Thursday from Ahmedabad, along with 240 other passengers. His son Umang, who runs the post office in Pensford on the outskirts of Bristol with his wife Vaishali, has flown to India and a crowdfunder has been launched by locals to help him. Jim Beacham, a local resident who came up with the idea to raise money, said: "The shop is losing money and it's costing them a fortune. We got to go some way to try and recompense." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Kirit was heading to the village to spend the summer with his family as he had done for the past decade. The crowdfunder has raised more than £7,000 from at least 200 contributors. "It sounds like a lot of money and he's going to spend more than that on his losses and travel costs," Mr Beacham said. "It doesn't help about losing his dad but at least he knows people really love and respect him. "During covid they were incredible, they kept the whole place going with deliveries. People remember that. "I'm surprised by the support and it's wonderful people would do this." Paul Hunt, a local resident, said: "Umang has been a great guy in our village since he came here. "I was absolutely distraught when I heard it." Jonquil Anderson, who lives in the village, said: "It shows how important the family are in the village. We all go in there every day." In total 270 bodies have been recovered from the site of the plane crash. The plane was carrying 242 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India, including 53 Britons. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Investigators find cockpit voice recorder from crashed Air India flight Family of Air India crash victims feel 'abandoned' Air India plane crash death toll rises to 270 Pensford Post Office
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Pensford village postmaster's dad named as Air India crash victim
The father of the village postmaster has been named among those who died in the Air India plane crash last Patel was killed when the London-bound Air India plane crashed soon after taking off on Thursday from Ahmedabad, along with 240 other son Umang, who runs the post office in Pensford on the outskirts of Bristol with his wife Vaishali, has flown to India and a crowdfunder has been launched by locals to help Beacham, a local resident who came up with the idea to raise money, said: "The shop is losing money and it's costing them a fortune. We got to go some way to try and recompense." Kirit was heading to the village to spend the summer with his family as he had done for the past crowdfunder has raised more than £7,000 from at least 200 contributors. "It sounds like a lot of money and he's going to spend more than that on his losses and travel costs," Mr Beacham said."It doesn't help about losing his dad but at least he knows people really love and respect him."During covid they were incredible, they kept the whole place going with deliveries. People remember that."I'm surprised by the support and it's wonderful people would do this." Paul Hunt, a local resident, said: "Umang has been a great guy in our village since he came here."I was absolutely distraught when I heard it."Jonquil Anderson, who lives in the village, said: "It shows how important the family are in the village. We all go in there every day."In total 270 bodies have been recovered from the site of the plane plane was carrying 242 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India, including 53 Britons.
Indian Express
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Future generation won't forgive us': Paatil warns voters of Visavadar against voting for any party
Urging the voters to not 'repeat their mistakes', Union minister and Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil, on Monday, called upon the party workers and people of Visavadar assembly constituency to make the BJP candidate victorious otherwise the 'future generation won't forgive us'. Paatil made these remarks while campaigning for the by-election of Visavadar Assembly constituency of Saurashtra. The seat has fallen vacant following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani who later joined the BJP. Addressing a gathering of party workers in Visavadar constituency, Paatil said, 'This time there should not be any mistake. We have to look after the future generation as well. Future generation won't forgive us (saying) that 'you have made mistakes repeatedly'. Correct your (past) mistakes this time. Resolve to make BJP candidate Kirit Patel victorious this time to keep the voters of Visavadar and their future generation in front of the road of development.' Kirit Patel, a former Junagadh district president of BJP and a cooperative leader, is BJP candidate for the by-election. Kirit Patel is facing a challenge from AAP's Gopal Italia and Congress candidate Nitin Ranpariya. Paatil said, 'Entire country is developing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Entire world is impressed by him. Only Visavadar is facing hurdles in its development. Forget the mistake. You might have done experiments which have failed. Doesn't matter. But (make sure that) this time there is no mistake committed'. 'There is a need to make the BJP candidate victorious to keep Visavadar in leading position… on the path of development in the country and for the development which is needed for the future generation of Visavadar,' he said. BJP has not won the Visavadar constituency for the past several years and Paatil called upon the party workers to win it this time. 'BJP has never learnt to lose. And it has also not learnt to leave a constituency if it loses it,' Paatil said. Without taking any name, during his speech, Paatil asked people not to get misled by certain people who spread misconceptions. Voting for the by-election is scheduled on June 19. After the Pahalgam attack the entire country believed and expected 'kuch bada karna chahiye', 'kuch bada hona chahiye', Paatil said later in the day even as he mentioned that 'not a single soldier was harmed and everyone returned safely' while campaigning for the by-election in Mehsana district's Kadi Assembly constituency. He made these remarks while campaigning for Rajendra Chavda, the party candidate from Kadi for the June 19 by-election. Referring to the Operation Sindoor, Paatil said, 'Under Modi's leadership, not only the country but the world knew that kuch bada hoga. Operation Sindoor was a revenge of the Pahalgam attack.' 'As decided by PM Modi, (the missile attack was carried out) five hours for the first time, two-and-a-half hours for second time and 30 minutes for the third time but within 23 minutes nine locations of the terrorists were attacked and finished and the terrorists were killed. Not a single soldier was harmed and everyone returned safely. This is Modi's power, this is India's power, everyone's power and the country wants to strengthen this power,' Paatil said. Appealing to the voters in Kadi to 'create a record' with high number of votes for Rajendra Chavda, Paatl said that for Kadi election the issue is not of development but 'to make BJP candidate win by a record number'. 'Today such an environment is created in the entire country after Operation Sindoor that every voter wants to strengthen Modi's hands. They were confident that Modi hai toh mumkin hai. During the surgical strike within three hours more than 300 terrorists were killed by our soldiers who returned safely,' Paatil added.
Hans India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Even in defeat, we don't abandon people: Gujarat BJP chief ahead of Assembly bypolls
With nearly over a week left for the upcoming Visavadar Assembly by-election, the Gujarat BJP unit has gone into action mode, treating the triangular political contest as a matter of prestige. In a campaign event held on Monday, Gujarat BJP President and Union Jal Shakti Minister, C.R. Paatil, addressed a gathering of party workers and local leaders at Bhesan in Junagadh district, declaring that the BJP "has never learned to lose, and even when defeated, it doesn't abandon its ground". Attacking both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Paatil warned voters not to fall for the "delusions and provocations" of parties that, according to him, "have no base in Gujarat" and lost deposits on 136 seats in the 2022 Assembly election. "Those who came from Delhi and claimed they would form the government had their deposits forfeited by Gujarat's voters," he said, pointing to the BJP's dominant win in 156 Assembly constituencies in 2022 state election. Reminding the people at the gathering that although Visavadar voters may have "experimented" in the 2022 Assembly election, this time there should be no mistakes, Paatil urged, noting that the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel himself came to file nomination papers with BJP candidate Kirit Patel -- "a sign of the state leadership's commitment to Visavadar's progress". Kirit Patel, the BJP's candidate in the upcoming bypoll, also addressed the gathering, highlighting his long-standing connection with Visavadar, Bhesan and Junagadh. "I have worked in this region for 16 years, assisting with education, health and resolving civic issues. During crises like Covid-19, I stood by the people," he said. Patel also alleged a conspiracy by Opposition candidates "brought in from outside" and claimed they were spreading misinformation and misleading voters. "These are not development-focused people. They only incite and provoke," he said, contrasting it with what he described as the BJP's platform of "development and trust". A total of 16 candidates are contesting the Visavadar seat, 12 of whom, Patel claimed, have no real ties to the region. "Visavadar does not need outsiders," he emphasised. The rally was also attended by several top BJP leaders, including MPs, Ministers, and MLAs -- Raghavji Patel, Kunvarji Bavaliya, Mulubhai Bera, Mukesh Patel, Rajesh Chudasama, Jayesh Radadiya, and others. The upcoming by-elections for the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly constituencies in Gujarat, scheduled for June 19, have emerged as politically significant contests for all three major parties -- the BJP, Congress and the AAP. The Visavadar seat fell vacant after BJP MLA Harshad Ribadiya resigned and joined the Congress ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, only to return to the BJP recently. Meanwhile, the Kadi Assembly seat became vacant following the resignation of Congress MLA Karshan Solanki, who also joined the BJP.
