Son carries on missing parents' teaching legacy

A son whose parents remain missing after the catastrophic floods in Nepal has vowed to continue the family business to "honour their legacy".

Deepesh Patel said he and his brother were "taking it one step at a time" as they await news of their mother Mala and father Bipin, who crossed from Nepal into Tibet before a landslide struck the Gyirong border seven weeks ago.

While the search continues, Patel, from Coventry, has taken on responsibility for his parents' First Class Learning business which provides after-school academic tuition in the city.

"I'm sure my parents would have would have wanted it to carry on, and I'll do my best to try and fill their shoes," Patel said.

"There's a lot of people dependent on it so I'm just kind of taking things step by step," he added.

His parents were travelling on a pilgrimage through Nepal towards Tibet when floods struck on 26 August.

More than 5,300 people remain missing, said the United Nations, after the floods which were triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border.

Patel worked in sales prior to taking on the family business which runs centres at Caledon Castle School and Walsgrave Baptist Church in Coventry, and he is adapting to running the firm.

"I was in sales before so it's a bit of a switch for sure - dealing with children you have to have a lot of patience," he told BBC CWR.

"I know my mum definitely had a lot of patience, so I try and draw upon that experience to an extent."

Patel said running the business was also helping to keep him focused and giving him a sense of purpose while the family were "still in the dark" about what had happened to his mother, Mala, and father, Bipin.

"As a family we're taking it one step at a time, it is difficult times and we are just getting used to a new reality," Patel said.

"We haven't heard any information since".

Patel said relatives of people unaccounted for had created a group chat to share updates and support one another.

"We have talked to them and we are all in the same boat in that respect. We are just helping each other where we can," he added.

He said the support from friends and family had been invaluable and "means a lot at this point in time".

His brother, Anant, previously told the BBC the family last heard from their parents on 25 August. He also said their father had been a devoted Coventry City supporter for more than 40 years.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "The scenes along the Nepal-China border are devastating and our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragedy, and with those still waiting for news of loved ones.

"Supporting British nationals and their families remains our priority, and our staff continue to provide consular support to those affected."

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