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News18
11 hours ago
- General
- News18
‘Forgive Me, Beta': Air India Crew Member's Mother Inconsolable As Mortal Remains Reach Juhu Home
Last Updated: Heart-wrenching scenes emerged as neighbours, friends, and family gathered in silence, many in tears, to bid farewell to the woman they lovingly knew as Pinky. Dramatic visuals unfolded at Juhu Koliwada on Monday as the mortal remains of Saineeta Chakravarti, one of the crew members aboard Air India flight 171 that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, were brought home. Heart-wrenching scenes emerged as neighbours, friends, and family gathered in silence, many in tears, to bid farewell to the woman they lovingly knew as Pinky, a kind, soft-spoken, and deeply grounded person. The remains, charred beyond recognition, were identified through DNA testing, neighbours said. Saineeta was the sole breadwinner in her immediate family of three. Her father, Abin Chakravarti, had gone to Ahmedabad to identify his daughter's remains and carry out the tedious paperwork that followed. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Abin Chakravarti said the family was too distraught to travel initially, so they sent two of Saineeta's cousins for the DNA sampling. However, due to the extensive paperwork required, he had to make the trip himself. Air India arranged two additional tickets — for him and an aide — and they flew to Ahmedabad two days ago. 'We got a glimpse of the crash site. I can't get the visuals out of my head. I haven't had time to process the loss," he told HT. According to Mid-Day, Lalit Sarkar, a long-time neighbour, said Saineeta's remains were brought home at 11:30 am and the funeral was performed by 12:30 pm. The report added that the local community has been left deeply shaken, mourning the tragic loss of a woman remembered for her warmth, humility, and gentle nature. The crash of Air India flight AI 171 occurred on June 12, shortly after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad Airport en route to London. The aircraft could not gain height after departure and crashed into a nearby hostel, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. All 241 passengers and crew members on board were killed, along with more than 20 people on the ground. The tragedy has been described as one of India's worst aviation disasters in recent years. Preliminary investigations suggest a possible technical failure shortly after takeoff, but a detailed inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause. The incident has sparked national mourning and raised urgent questions about aircraft safety protocols. First Published: June 17, 2025, 09:36 IST
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gave her life to Air India: Mother of Saineeta, first crew member laid to rest after Ahmedabad crash
The last rites and funeral of flight attendant Saineeta Chakravarti, 35, one of the victims of the fateful June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, took place at her home in Santacruz on Monday, after her DNA sample matched with that of her family. Chakravarti's remains were the first from the 12-member crew, most of whom were from Mumbai, to be brought to the city. Over 100 people gathered at her modest home at Juhu Koliwada and later at her funeral at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium, amid heavy rain. Among her family members, distant relatives, and neighbours were her fellow Air India crew members and former colleagues from her previous stint at GoAir. Also Read | DNA verification completed for 119 victims in Air India plane crash While some colleagues had taken a day off from work, others had flown down to Mumbai and rushed to the funeral directly from the airport to pay their respects. They all spoke fondly of Chakravarti. 'She was always courteous and had a smile on her face. She was very communicative and understanding,' said her Air India colleague and friend of eight years, who did not want to be named. 'She was fierce and passionate about her job. She loved her independence, took care of her family dearly and had great dreams,' said her grandmother, Anjali Chakaravarti, as she swiped through Saineeta's photos from her many trips. Anjali stopped at a photo taken in Bangkok, which happened to be her last trip. 'She brought gifts for everyone from her trips. Last time, she had brought some perfumes on Eid,' said Anjali, teary-eyed. Also Read | Did double engine failure cause the Air India plane crash? PIB fact-checks Always fond of airplanes since childhood, Saineeta looked up to her aunt, who was also a flight attendant. 'She took inspiration from me and passed it along to her nieces, and made me quite proud,' said her aunt, who did not wish to be named. Saineeta was the sole breadwinner in her immediate family of three. Her father, Abin Chakravarti, who was sleep-deprived after going to Ahmedabad to identify his daughter's remains and the tedious paperwork that followed, said, 'We were not in a state to travel, so we sent two of her cousins for the DNA sampling. But a lot of documentation work had to be done, so I had to go. Air India gave us two more tickets for me and one aide, and we flew down the day before yesterday. We got a glimpse of the crash site. I can't get the visuals out of my head. I haven't had time to process the loss.' As Saineeta's pyre burned, her distraught mother bid adieu with the salutation of 'Jai Hind', which echoed the prayer room. 'My daughter gave her life for Air India,' she said.
