Baramati, Jan 29 (PTI): Grief engulfed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s native village Katewadi on Thursday as hundreds of mourners gathered at his residence to bid farewell to the leader who lost his life in a plane crash a day earlier. Chants of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” and “Ajit Dada Parat Ya” echoed through the village as people struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Residents from Katewadi and surrounding villages in Pune district, along with NCP workers, queued outside Pawar’s home from early morning, many in tears. Several mourners described him as an irreplaceable leader who transformed the region through development and personal engagement. “A leader like him will not be born again,” was a sentiment repeatedly voiced by those gathered.
Pawar, 66, was killed on Wednesday morning when a chartered Learjet crashed near the Baramati airstrip, around 100 km from Pune. Two pilots, a flight attendant and his personal security officer were also killed in the accident.
The mortal remains of Pawar were brought on Thursday morning from the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Hospital in Baramati, where they were kept overnight, to his residence in Katewadi for final darshan. The atmosphere turned emotional as villagers broke down upon seeing the body.
Sixty-five-year-old Ganpat Thombre, a resident of Katewadi, said he was still unable to accept the tragedy even after 24 hours. “Dada was not just a deputy chief minister. He personally looked into issues of Katewadi, Khatalpatta, Songain and nearby villages. A leader of his stature will not come again,” he said, his voice trembling. Thombre recalled how Pawar had personally helped his granddaughter secure admission to a medical college and credited him with improving roads, schools and basic infrastructure in the region.
Another mourner, Chandrakant Mali, who travelled from Ter in Dharashiv district, described Pawar’s death as an irreparable loss for Maharashtra. “The state has lost a diamond,” he said.
Inside the residence, Pawar’s wife and Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, sons Parth and Jay, and younger brother Shrinivas Pawar stood with folded hands, accepting condolences from visitors. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, along with his family, actor Riteish Deshmukh and several other political leaders and dignitaries paid tributes at the Katewadi home.
After the final darshan, Pawar’s mortal remains were taken to the Vidya Pratishthan sports ground in Baramati, where the last rites are scheduled to be held with full state honours.
Category: Breaking News
SEO Tags: #swadesi, #News, ‘Ajit Dada Amar Rahe’, Ajit Pawar funeral, Katewadi mourning