TEACHERS and pupils returning for the new school year sent well wishes to an orphaned Southampton girl whose parents died in the India bus crash.

Ananya Nawarkhele was due to be returning for lessons at Bitterne Manor School.

But the nine-year-old remains seriously ill in Delhi after suffering severe injuries in a horrific bus crash which killed her parents Roopesh and Kavita.

A multi-faith prayer meeting is set to be held at 5pm on Sunday, September 7 at the city’s Vedic Hindu Temple, in Radcliffe Road, where the couple from Bitterne worshipped.

Staff and classmates at Bitterne Manor are among those praying for the youngster – who is likely to spend at least two months recovering from rib and stomach injuries.

Head teacher Suzy Hayward said: “Ananya won’t be coming back to our school for some time, which is also very sad for the school and for her friends.

“She is a very polite and friendly pupil, who gets on well with everyone. She has a considerate and thoughtful nature and sets an excellent example to others.

“Her parents were well known within the community and extremely supportive of the school and their daughter.

“Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this terribly difficult time and we all hope and wish that Ananya recovers as quickly as possible.”

Sunday’s prayer meeting is the chance for people of all faiths to remember the family.

As previously reported, the family had travelled to India for a holiday when the bus they were travelling in overturned after colliding in the early hours of Saturday, August 23.

Tributes have continued to flood in for the couple who were well known in the community.

Roopesh, 38, was a senior social worker at Southampton City Council, where bosses paid their respects by lowering the flag on Tuesday.

Kavita, 37, who previously worked at the Sunshine Day Nursery in Shirley, presented a regular show on the city’s community radio station Unity 101.