On a day meant for celebration, tragedy struck when an Air India plane crashed, claiming the lives of many, including a beloved couple from Gujarat. Ashokbhai and Shobhanaben Patel, who had lived together in the UK since 1978, were inseparable in life and now, in death, they remain united.
The heartbreaking news of the crash has shocked the world. Ashok and Shobha Patel were known for their deep bond and love for each other. Their son, Miten Patel, was called to Ahmedabad from London to identify their bodies through DNA testing arranged by the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital under the guidance of the Gujarat government.
Miten and his brother Hemant arrived in Ahmedabad and provided DNA samples to match with their father’s remains. Hospital officials informed them that the report would take 72 hours. On Father’s Day, Miten received the emotional news that the DNA matched Ashokbhai’s body, providing him with both sorrow and relief.
Miten and Hemant were preparing to return to London with their father’s body when they were faced with a lingering question: When would they find their mother’s remains? Typically, DNA matches can take time, so they decided to leave with their father. But fate had other plans.
As the brothers were about to leave the hospital, they received a call. The hospital informed them that the 99th DNA sample matched their mother, Shobhanaben. Overcome with emotion, they rushed to the control room and saw their mother’s name on the bulletin board. It was a miraculous coincidence that the 98th and 99th samples matched a husband and wife who had spent their lives together and remained close even after death.
This news deeply affected Miten and Hemant, yet it also felt like a natural miracle. Their parents, who had been together throughout their lives, were now together again in the process of identification.
Miten expressed his feelings, saying, “Our parents always stayed together. Neither death nor the processes of science could separate them. When my father’s DNA matched and we were preparing to leave with his body, my mother’s soul must have told my father, ‘Ashok, don’t go home alone. Whether in life or death, I will always come with you.’ This is the saddest moment of our lives. We never thought we would see this day. Our lives have been turned upside down. But we must tell our family that if you feel like crying, then cry, but Mummy and Papa will always live in our memories.”
With the cooperation of the Gujarat government, the civil hospital, and the forensic science laboratory, Miten and Hemant are now preparing to take their parents’ bodies back to London. This process has been swift and well-organized, and they are grateful for all the support received, including assistance from the British Embassy.
The brothers are heading home with their parents, where relatives are waiting for their last rites. The tragic accident has not only caused immense grief but has also highlighted the enduring love of a couple who were together in life and remain so in death.
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