Considered quitting Air India job to look after father—family, friends remember Capt Sumeet Sabharwal
The casket carrying the remains of Sumeet Sabharwal, who was 55, was brought in from Ahmedabad to his apartment in Jal Vayu Vihar by his nephews earlier Tuesday morning. His 88-year-old father, Pushkaraj, leaning heavily on his walking stick, along with the rest of the captain's family—his sister, her husband, her two sons, and a daughter-in-law—paid their respects.
Amid police security, friends and family members broke down into tears after seeing the remains of the captain, whose body was placed in the society's complex area before being taken for the final rites.
Mumbai: Jal Vayu Vihar Sector 4, in Mumbai's Powai area, was sombre Tuesday as the society gathered to say their final goodbye to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of Air India-171 that crashed in Ahmedabad last week.
Maal Singh, 68, a neighbour, said he was still in shock. 'We have known each other for a very long time. Mostly, we used to meet each other when Sumeet used to take his father out for walks in the society complex. He was a very polite and calm person. We are still in shock over what has happened.'
He said Sumeet was a family man and used to take care of his ageing father. He had been extra attentive since Sumeet's mother passed away 2 years ago.
Businessman Niranjan Hiranandani and local MLA Dilip Lande were among those who visited the Sabharwal residence to pay their respects.
A guard, who did not wish to be named, told ThePrint that people had started pouring in from 6 am onwards. 'The complex started filling in from 6 am onwards. Even media persons, huge police security, big officers from the police force were present. A lot of them from neighbouring societies also came.'
At around 9:45 am, the body was taken for last rites, which were performed at an electric crematorium in suburban Chakala in the presence of family members. The family members left the crematorium around 11 am.
Captain Sumeet was the pilot of flight AI-171 to London that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. 241 people aboard—229 passengers and 12 crew members—were killed, with only a sole person, a passenger, surviving. Investigations into the cause of the crash are still ongoing.
Remembered as a polite & smiling man
Sanjay Singh, his neighbour and friend, told ThePrint that earlier, Sumeet used to stay in Delhi, while his parents stayed in Mumbai.
However, in 2022, when his mother passed away, Sumeet shifted base to Mumbai to take care of his father.
'He was a doting son. He cared about his family a lot. Whenever he was around, he would not miss a single session of taking his father down for a walk. We used to all meet and greet in society,' said Sanjay Singh.
'In fact, even the day before the accident, I met Sumeet in the complex. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, and was just a regular and smiling fellow. His father, Pushkaraj, was the senior most in our society, and all of us used to take his blessings,' he added.
His friends remember him as a caring and polite person. At one point, Sumeet had even discussed quitting his Air India flying job to take up a regular job so he could take care of his father.
'He was a thorough gentleman and a dedicated person. I am just in tears even thinking about him. He used to live in the building next to mine. A soul departed too soon. When I heard about the news, I couldn't believe it,' said 68-year-old neighbour Ratan Lal Singh.
His friends, whom ThePrint spoke to, recalled how the father went completely numb after hearing the news of the demise of his son. He is still in shock and is quiet, not in a condition to speak.
'What can he do? It is the biggest tragedy for any father. Normally, a son performs last rites for a father, but here, a father has to see his son depart before him,' said Sanjay Singh.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: Former CM Vijay Rupani's body released to family, last rites to be held in Rajkot
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Powai residents pay respects to AI pilot on his final journey
1 2 3 4 5 Mumbai: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's mortal remains arrived at his residence in Powai's Jal Vayu Vihar at 8:45 on Tuesday morning. A hush fell over the housing complex, with Air India crew, fellow aviators, and family and friends filing in quietly. Residents of the locality gathered in clusters—some in grief, others in disbelief—outside the building where Capt Sabharwal (56) lived, the compound echoing with stories of the man they called "a thorough gentleman." From pilots who flew beside him to the crew that flew with him, neighbours who knew him simply as the kind man with a calm smile, all stood still in the moment. "I can't tell you what a thorough gentleman he was," said Usha Talawdekar, a resident of Powai Park. A retired Air India cabin crew member who served 37 years in the skies, she paused to compose herself outside the gates of Jal Vayu Vihar. "I've flown with him. Every request he made came suffixed with, 'whenever you get the time'. No ego. Never demanded respect. We all just loved him. And he was an ace pilot." Her eyes welled up again. "Too early for him to go," she said, wiping her tears away. "Air India pilots are the best. They always know what they're doing." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo On June 12, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's final flight—AI171 from Ahmedabad to London—crashed seconds into the take-off. As the coffin was brought into Jal Vayu Vihar, his 92-year-old father, a former DGCA official, Pushkaraj Sabharwal—a widower—stood silently, flanked by his daughter, her sons, other family members, neighbours, and several pilots and cabin crew. Residents carried the coffin to the building's temple and offered their final prayers. Savitri Budhania, an elderly resident, said, "It was just Saturday," she said, pointing to the path where he last walked. "He took prasad from my hands right there." Her voice broke. "I told him, 'Your father is too old to be alone.' And he said, 'Just one or two more flights… then I'm going to just be with Papa.'" She added softly, "Who knew this was going to be it. Whenever he wasn't flying, you'd find him walking hand in hand with his father in the evenings. They would smile at everyone, just wonderful quiet people." The Sabharwals lived in Jal Vayu Vihar for 22 years. Those from the aviation sector hoped that the details of what caused the crash are released soon. "We hope the report is accurate and acted upon so that no such tragedy takes place again. We have lost too many lives," said retired Captain S Krishnamurthy of the Indian Air Force, who lived three floors above Sabharwal. Meanwhile in Goregaon, the remains of senior cabin officer Aparna Mahadik arrived at Oberoi Esquire apartment around 9pm. Senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare and his daughter Aditi, close relatives of the Mahadiks, led the mourners. Over in Navi Mumbai, air hostess Maithili Patil (23) was cremated in Nhava village. Her parents performed the rituals without opening the coffin given that her remains were charred. Her younger sister was inconsolable and sobbed as she embraced her coffin. Two officials of Air India offered a wreath with a message that read, 'With Deepest Sympathy, From Air India Family'. BJP MLAs Prashant Thakur and Mahesh Baldi from Panvel and Uran attended. (Inputs from George Mendonca, Umesh Parida & Shourya Avankhedkar)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Family, friends bid farewell to Captain Sabharwal
MUMBAI: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's mortal remains arrived at his residence in Powai's Jal Vayu Vihar Tuesday morning. A hush fell over the housing complex, with AI crew, fellow aviators, and family and friends filing in quietly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Residents of the locality gathered in clusters - some in grief, others in disbelief - outside the building where Captain Sabharwal (56) lived, the compound echoing with stories of the man they called "a thorough gentleman." From pilots who flew beside him to the crew that flew with him, neighbours who knew him simply as the kind man with a calm smile, all stood still in the moment. "I can't tell you what a thorough gentleman he was," said Usha Talawdekar, a resident of Powai Park. A retired AI cabin crew member who served 37 years in the skies, she paused to compose herself outside the gates of Jal Vayu Vihar. "I've flown with him. Every request he made came suffixed with, 'whenever you get the time'. No ego. Never demanded respect. We all just loved him. And he was an ace pilot." Her eyes welled up again. "Too early for him to go," she said, wiping her tears away. "Air India pilots are the best. They always know what they are doing." On June 12, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's final flight - AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London - crashed seconds into take-off. As the coffin was brought into his complex, his father Pushkaraj Sabharwal (92), a former DGCA official, stood silently, flanked by his daughter, her sons, and several pilots and cabin crew. Residents carried the coffin to the building's temple and offered their final prayers. Savitri Budhania, an elderly resident, said, "It was just Saturday," she said, pointing to the path where he last walked. "He took prasad from my hands right there." Her voice broke. "I told him, 'Your father is too old to be alone.' And he said, 'Just one or two more flights... then I'm going to just be with Papa.'" She added softly, "Who knew this was going to be it."
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Considered quitting Air India job to look after father—family, friends remember Capt Sumeet Sabharwal
The casket carrying the remains of Sumeet Sabharwal, who was 55, was brought in from Ahmedabad to his apartment in Jal Vayu Vihar by his nephews earlier Tuesday morning. His 88-year-old father, Pushkaraj, leaning heavily on his walking stick, along with the rest of the captain's family—his sister, her husband, her two sons, and a daughter-in-law—paid their respects. Amid police security, friends and family members broke down into tears after seeing the remains of the captain, whose body was placed in the society's complex area before being taken for the final rites. Mumbai: Jal Vayu Vihar Sector 4, in Mumbai's Powai area, was sombre Tuesday as the society gathered to say their final goodbye to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of Air India-171 that crashed in Ahmedabad last week. Maal Singh, 68, a neighbour, said he was still in shock. 'We have known each other for a very long time. Mostly, we used to meet each other when Sumeet used to take his father out for walks in the society complex. He was a very polite and calm person. We are still in shock over what has happened.' He said Sumeet was a family man and used to take care of his ageing father. He had been extra attentive since Sumeet's mother passed away 2 years ago. Businessman Niranjan Hiranandani and local MLA Dilip Lande were among those who visited the Sabharwal residence to pay their respects. A guard, who did not wish to be named, told ThePrint that people had started pouring in from 6 am onwards. 'The complex started filling in from 6 am onwards. Even media persons, huge police security, big officers from the police force were present. A lot of them from neighbouring societies also came.' At around 9:45 am, the body was taken for last rites, which were performed at an electric crematorium in suburban Chakala in the presence of family members. The family members left the crematorium around 11 am. Captain Sumeet was the pilot of flight AI-171 to London that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. 241 people aboard—229 passengers and 12 crew members—were killed, with only a sole person, a passenger, surviving. Investigations into the cause of the crash are still ongoing. Remembered as a polite & smiling man Sanjay Singh, his neighbour and friend, told ThePrint that earlier, Sumeet used to stay in Delhi, while his parents stayed in Mumbai. However, in 2022, when his mother passed away, Sumeet shifted base to Mumbai to take care of his father. 'He was a doting son. He cared about his family a lot. Whenever he was around, he would not miss a single session of taking his father down for a walk. We used to all meet and greet in society,' said Sanjay Singh. 'In fact, even the day before the accident, I met Sumeet in the complex. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts, and was just a regular and smiling fellow. His father, Pushkaraj, was the senior most in our society, and all of us used to take his blessings,' he added. His friends remember him as a caring and polite person. At one point, Sumeet had even discussed quitting his Air India flying job to take up a regular job so he could take care of his father. 'He was a thorough gentleman and a dedicated person. I am just in tears even thinking about him. He used to live in the building next to mine. A soul departed too soon. When I heard about the news, I couldn't believe it,' said 68-year-old neighbour Ratan Lal Singh. His friends, whom ThePrint spoke to, recalled how the father went completely numb after hearing the news of the demise of his son. He is still in shock and is quiet, not in a condition to speak. 'What can he do? It is the biggest tragedy for any father. Normally, a son performs last rites for a father, but here, a father has to see his son depart before him,' said Sanjay Singh. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: Former CM Vijay Rupani's body released to family, last rites to be held in Rajkot
