- South Norwood Nisa manager and wife died in Air India crash.
- Couple were returning to UK after visiting India.
- Community mourns with heartfelt online tributes.
Tributes are pouring in for Sunny Patel, the much-loved manager of the Nisa Local store in South Norwood in London, and his wife who were among the victims of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad last week.
Sunny Patel and his wife Monali Patel were aboard the ill-fated London-bound flight that crashed into a hospital hostel complex shortly after take-off on June 12, killing all 241 passengers and crew members on board.
Originally from Anand in Gujarat, Sunny had become a familiar face in the South Norwood community, known for his warm presence behind the Post Office counter.
Monali, who worked at a nursery school in the UK, is reported by The Times of India to have belonged to a family directly related to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister.
The couple came to India after a brief vacation in Thailand. They were supposed to fly back to London on June 6 but postponed due to some unknown personal reasons.
News of their death emerged on a local Facebook group, after a resident questioned the unexpected closure of the Nisa Local store.
What followed was a wave of shock, sorrow, and heartfelt tributes from neighbours, customers, and fellow business owners.
"The young guy (usually on the post office counter) and his wife died in the plane crash, Mrs Krupa (red shop) told me last night, very sad and my thoughts and prayers are with their families," wrote one user.
"I am absolutely heartbroken. Sunny was such a beautiful soul and supportive fellow business owner.
"His name is on the passenger list for the Air India plane which crashed this morning, and I can’t even imagine what his family are going through right now. I hope South Norwood can shower Nisa with an abundance of support and love in this awful, awful time," commented one user on the post.
"My heart goes out to the nisa store family. I’ve known them since I was 7; now I am 36", commented one user.
"This is what I mean by it’s a very small world. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Sunny’s family & friends. Life is so cruel," wrote another user.
The sense of personal loss echoed throughout the community, with many recalling Sunny’s warmth, generosity, and ever-present smile. For many, the crash that seemed like a distant news story suddenly became heartbreakingly close.
"Very, very sad. One of the friendliest shop owners in town," commented one user.
"Oh no how sad, they were lovely people always smiling and joking with me, I can’t believe this, sincere condolences to their family and friends, will be missed big time," wrote another user.
"OMG sunny and his wife! So friendly nice people. My condolences to all family and friends. Truly heartbreaking," a user commented.
"So sad! my condolences go out to his family. I didn't know him but often passed his shop and popped in for something," wrote another local resident.
