Kolkata: Following the tragic death of Bitan Adhikary, a Florida-based software engineer who lost his life during the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, his friends have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support his grieving family.
Adhikary, a resident of Tampa, was visiting India for a vacation with his wife, Soheni Roy, and their three-year-old son, Hridaan, when the attack took place. Remembered for his cheerful spirit, kindness, and generosity, Adhikary was also the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his ageing parents.
The fundraiser, launched on the platform GoFundMe under the title “In Loving Memory of Bitan Adhikary – Support for his Family,” aims to raise $300,000 (around ₹2.6 crore) to help the family meet ongoing financial obligations, including mortgage payments, auto loans, and expenses for Hridaan’s future. As of Friday night, contributions had crossed $131,175 (approximately ₹1.1 crore).
Transparency in Fundraising
In a heartfelt message posted on GoFundMe, the organizers wrote, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend, Bitan Adhikary. He was a beloved member of our community, and his loss has left a hole in the hearts of all who knew him.”
They described Adhikary as a “martyr” who fell victim to senseless violence while traveling with his family.
The fundraising team clarified several points on the campaign page regarding the management of funds. The friends who lived with Bitan and Soheni in Tampa stated that the campaign was initiated after speaking with Soheni. “We are their friends who stayed with them in Tampa, Florida. We are in touch with Soheni and raised this fundraiser after talking to her,” the organizers explained. They further assured donors about transparency in fund handling. “For the claim process, we have added Soheni as the beneficiary. She needs to accept the invite, and once she does, she can input her bank details and complete the claims process. We will have no control over the transfer of money to her account. It’s a standard process with GoFundMe,” the post stated.
However, the organizers also noted that Soheni has not yet accepted the beneficiary invitation, as she is currently engaged with official procedures, press interactions, and rituals related to Bitan’s last rites. They encouraged donors to wait if they had concerns over authenticity, reiterating that the intention behind the campaign is solely to help the family during this painful time.
A Community’s Support and Emotional Tribute
Expressing grief, one of the donors, Pinaki Banerjee, wrote on the fundraiser page, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Bitan Adhikary, who lost his life in Phalgam, Kashmir. He was a devoted family man and a kind soul. Let us come together to support his family in this incredibly difficult time. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference.”
Friends hope the collective support will offer some relief to Soheni, Hridaan, and Adhikary’s elderly parents as they navigate life after the tragic loss.
