Flight Attendant Pinky Mali Cremated in Mumbai, Family Demands Thorough Investigation Into Fatal Crash
The funeral of Pinky Mali, the 30-year-old flight attendant who tragically lost her life in the devastating plane crash in Baramati alongside deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and three other individuals, was conducted at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Dadar, Mumbai, on Thursday. The solemn ceremony was attended by grieving relatives, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to pay their final respects to the young professional whose life was cut short in the unfortunate incident.
Family's Anguish and Demand for Probe
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Pinky Mali's father, Shivkumar, a resident of Prabhadevi, has voiced his profound distress and called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. He expressed deep hurt over the manner in which the family was informed about the incident, stating that they learned of their daughter's demise through television news broadcasts rather than from the company where she was employed.
"The company where my daughter worked did not inform us about the plane crash. We learnt that we had lost our daughter from television news. It hurts a lot," Shivkumar lamented. He further highlighted the lack of coordination and support during the difficult process of retrieving his daughter's body from Baramati, emphasizing that he had to undertake the journey with friends without any assistance from the company.
"I went there with my friends and brought my daughter's body back home. I want the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident," he asserted, underscoring the family's quest for answers and accountability.
Husband's Grief and Absence of Support
Pinky Mali's husband, Somvikar Saini, who performed her last rites at the crematorium, echoed the family's sentiments regarding the lack of communication and support from both the company and government authorities. When questioned about any assistance received, he responded in the negative, revealing a stark absence of outreach during this period of immense grief.
"No one has contacted me — neither from the company, nor from the government. Till now, I have not even received a call from the company... at least have the courtesy to call and ask the family how they are coping. That's all I ask," Somvikar Saini expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of feeling neglected in the wake of the tragedy.
Community Mourning and Personal Memories
The news of Pinky Mali's passing cast a pall of sorrow over the Riveria Building in Kalwa's Parsik Nagar, Thane, where she resided with her husband and mother-in-law on the seventh floor of the newly constructed structure. Residents were gripped by grief as her body was brought briefly to the building before being taken for the final rites, a moment that underscored the personal loss felt by the local community.
Neighbours fondly remembered Pinky and her husband as a warm and friendly couple who actively engaged with those around them. Recalling happier times, a neighbour shared that during the recent Diwali festivities, Somvikar Saini had organized a grand birthday celebration for Pinky within the society, reflecting their close bond and vibrant social life.
"They shared a close bond and mingled freely with everyone," a neighbour recalled, painting a picture of a couple deeply integrated into their residential community. At the time of the incident, interior work was underway in their flat, with Pinky actively supervising the renovations, a testament to her involvement in creating a home for her family.
In a poignant reminder of her professional life, a neighbour mentioned that Pinky often spoke about her travels with political figures, including on one occasion where she noted she was accompanying Ajit Pawar, highlighting the intersection of her career with the high-profile individuals involved in the fatal crash.
The tragic loss of Pinky Mali has not only left a void in the hearts of her family and friends but has also raised significant questions about communication protocols and support systems in the aftermath of such incidents, prompting calls for greater accountability and compassion from both corporate and governmental entities.
