In a somber day of mourning, two families in Delhi were united by grief as they said their final goodbyes to Captain Sumit Kapur and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, who perished in the devastating Baramati Learjet crash. The tragic incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning near Baramati in Maharashtra, claimed the lives of five individuals, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leaving a void in the hearts of loved ones and the aviation community.
A Community in Mourning: Farewells at Punjabi Bagh and Lodhi Garden
At the Punjabi Bagh crematorium, over a hundred well-wishers, relatives, and friends gathered to pay their last respects to Captain Sumit Kapur. The 61-year-old pilot, with more than 20,000 hours of flying experience spanning over two decades, is survived by his father, wife, and two children. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow as attendees shared memories of a man described as jovial and fun-loving.
Childhood Friends Recall Last Moments
Among those present were Kapur's childhood friends, Naresh Taneja and G S Grover, who recounted their final interactions with him before his fateful journey to Baramati. Taneja shared a poignant memory of a lighthearted text exchange filled with jokes, just hours before the crash. "It's one of those conversations, you know, just jokes... then I saw the news and immediately called his family because he had told me he was going to Baramati. They had just received the news... what do you even tell them at that point?" he said, highlighting a friendship that spanned over 50 years since they were neighbors.
Grover, struggling with sleepless nights since hearing the tragic news, reminisced about Kapur's cheerful nature. "I last spoke to him two-three days ago. He looked at me and said I had put on weight... He was such a happy-go-lucky chap. Whenever he would see us, he would call us for a cup of tea," he recalled, painting a picture of a man who brought joy to those around him.
Colleagues Reflect on Kapur's Legacy
Colleagues from VSR Aviation shed light on the last-minute changes that led to Kapur piloting the ill-fated flight. Captain Malik explained, "Chartered flights are such. When a pilot is on standby, he can expect a call any time, asking him to come over. It's neither new nor surprising that the roster was changed at the last minute." A former colleague praised Kapur as one of the best in the industry, emphasizing his jovial personality and readiness to crack a joke, which made him a beloved figure among peers.
Remembering Shambhavi Pathak: A Budding Pilot's Dream Cut Short
Meanwhile, at the Lodhi Garden crematorium, a separate gathering honored First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, a 25-year-old budding pilot with 1,500 hours of flying experience. Members from the Air Force fraternity, her school juniors, friends, and family came together to celebrate her life, described as lively and full of ambition.
A Passion for Aviation Inherited and Nurtured
Pathak's journey into aviation was deeply influenced by her father, a retired Air Force pilot. A childhood friend from school shared, "She was the happiest person you would know... she always wanted to be a pilot. Her father was in the Air Force, so it's natural that she wanted to follow in his footsteps." Her mother, a teacher at the Air Force Bal Bharati School, remained inconsolable, supported by relatives during this difficult time. Her father, who had rushed to Pune after the crash, returned to Delhi for the final rites, embodying the family's profound loss.
On the Cusp of a Major Milestone
Pathak was just months away from obtaining her Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), which would have qualified her to become a captain of a commercial air transport. A colleague noted, "All her paperwork was done. I am sure she would have got the license. She was very sharp." He added a personal touch, recalling how he would teasingly ask her about wedding bells, highlighting her youth and potential that was tragically unfulfilled.
Final Words of Love and Loss
Back at Punjabi Bagh, Kapur's younger brother, Varun, expressed his deep bond in few words: "I will just say this — I wish to meet him as my brother in my next life as well." This sentiment echoed the enduring connections and irreplaceable voids left by the Baramati tragedy, as Delhi and the nation mourn the loss of these dedicated aviation professionals.
The Baramati crash serves as a stark reminder of the risks in aviation, with investigations ongoing into the cause of the Learjet 45's fatal descent. As families grapple with their grief, the memories of Captain Kapur's fun-loving spirit and Shambhavi Pathak's lively ambition will continue to inspire those who knew them, leaving a legacy that transcends this tragic event.
