The sudden demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, has shaken the nation. Tragically, a plane crash on Wednesday claimed his life along with four others. He was headed to his hometown, Baramati, to participate in gatherings ahead of district council elections. At 67, Ajit Pawar, serving alongside Eknath Shinde, was a central figure in Maharashtra's political sphere. His passing not only affects Western Maharashtra but sends ripples across the political landscape.
A poignant story emerges amidst this tragedy, softening every heart. The very ambulance Ajit Pawar had personally arranged for Baramati City Council was used to carry his body from the hospital to the cremation site. This ambulance, intended for the service of Baramati’s people, had been a recent acquisition just six months prior upon his initiative.
Source: aajtak
An Account from the Ambulance Driver
According to the PTI news agency, Thursday marked the heaviest day in the life of Baramati City Council’s ambulance driver, Nazim Qazi. Overcome with emotion, Nazim shared how Ajit Pawar learned through a news report six months ago that the council’s ambulance was over decades old. Without hesitation, Pawar convened with authorities, swiftly directing the provision of a modern ambulance.
Choking back tears, Nazim recalled, “When Ajit Dada handed over this ambulance, he only said one thing: 'Do your job with utmost sincerity.' Today, those words echo in my ears, not knowing that one day, I would carry him in this vehicle. It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life.”
Source: aajtak
Funeral with Full State Honors
Notably, the accident occurred Wednesday morning as Ajit Pawar approached Baramati via a private chartered aircraft. Tragically, just around 200 meters from the tabletop airstrip in Pune district, the plane crashed. All five onboard, including two pilots, perished instantly. The beloved leader, affectionately called 'Dada', received a farewell with full state honors at Vidya Pratishthan College ground in Baramati on Thursday.
