A haunting memory from July 2024 has resurfaced following the tragic death of senior leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this week. What was once shared as a tense but humorous anecdote has now taken on a deeply emotional meaning.

Pawar had spoken about a frightening mid-air experience while travelling from Nagpur to Gadchiroli for a foundation stone-laying ceremony at the Surjagarh Ispat project. The journey, undertaken on July 17, 2024, was marked by extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, thick fog, and dense cloud cover that reduced visibility to almost zero.

Sharing the experience at a public event in Gadchiroli’s Wadlapet area after landing, Pawar recalled how the helicopter began shaking after entering the cloud cover. He admitted that for several moments, the aircraft appeared to be flying blindly, with no view of the ground or surrounding landscape.

Though he narrated the incident with his characteristic humour, Pawar did not hide the fear he felt during the flight. He said anxiety gripped him as the helicopter continued its journey through the clouds, prompting him to repeatedly chant the name of Lord Pandurang for strength and calm.

Sitting beside him was then deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who, according to Pawar, remained calm throughout the ordeal. Pawar recalled expressing his concern, only to be reassured by Fadnavis, who mentioned having faced similar situations multiple times in the past without incident.

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Industries minister Uday Samant, who was also onboard, reportedly noticed the ground becoming visible again and pointed it out, bringing relief to everyone in the helicopter. Pawar later acknowledged that despite the lighter tone of his narration, the entire group had been visibly shaken by the experience.

In the wake of Pawar’s untimely death at the age of 66, the recollection has resurfaced with a somber undertone. What was once a story of survival and reassurance now stands as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability and risks involved in air travel, especially under challenging conditions.