Full state honors marked the cremation of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati on Thursday, capping a week of national shock over his plane crash death. The ceremony was a poignant blend of tradition and tribute to a life dedicated to public service.
Pawar’s sons shouldered the responsibility of mukhagni, with the family circle closing ranks amid overwhelming public support. High-profile attendees like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and MNS leader Raj Thackeray highlighted Pawar’s cross-party stature.
The funeral procession drew lakhs, causing gridlock on Baramati’s roads. From the Katewadi residence where his body arrived that morning, the journey evoked memories of Pawar’s transformative tenure.
The Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash on Wednesday morning at 8:45 AM, operated by VSR Ventures, also killed four others. Cleared for Runway 11 landing post a balked approach, the incident prompted swift AAIB intervention and an ADR by police.
Three days of state mourning ensued, with flags lowered across Maharashtra. Pawar’s death reverberates through politics, where his strategic maneuvers and Baramati model of development earned him respect and rivals alike.
In death, as in life, Pawar united people. His legacy—booming cooperatives, robust infrastructure—promises to inspire future generations, even as investigations seek answers to the tragedy.