‘How do I talk to him, he is in the box': Mother mourns AI crash victim as body arrives in city after time-consuming DNA confirmation process
Pune: As a sombre crowd gathered at Sant Tukaramnagar in Pimpri on Saturday to bid a final farewell to 22-year-old
Irfan Shaikh
, a crew member of the ill-fated Air India plane that crashed moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12, his mother, Taslim, sat frozen in grief, clinging to the coffin containing her son's lifeless body, her eyes fixed and hands trembling as if unwilling to let go of her child.
With relatives and her husband Samir trying to console her, Taslim gazed at the coffin and and murmured, "How do I talk to him? He's in the box." The family performed the last rites at the Hazrat Bilal Eidgah cemetery in Nehrunagar, Pimpri Chinchwad, around 10am.
Irfan's mortal remains were handed over to the family late Friday evening after DNA confirmation. The family brought the body to Pune airport around 7am on Saturday.
A large crowd comprising relatives, friends and politicians from various parties gathered to pay their respects.
The 22-year-old, who was very attached to his mother, made it a point to call his mother before every takeoff and after every landing. Having spoken to her before the ill-fated flight took off, the family knew he was on board when the crash occurred. Upon hearing the about the crash, the family rushed to Ahmedabad that evening, but the DNA matching process delayed the handover of his body, relative Taher said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless
medalmerit
Learn More
Undo
Azhar Khan, another relative, said Taslim was still in a state of deep shock and unable to come to terms with the irreparable loss. "She has not shed a single tear, she is still in trauma," he said, adding that she continued to dial Irfan's phone number, clinging to the hope that he might somehow respond.
"Taslim's silence is concerning us. We want her to express her emotions, to cry or talk, as this numbness is worsening her state," Azhar said.
Irfan, a dedicated aviation professional, joined Air Vistara as cabin crew nearly two years ago after completing training in Pune. He initially flew domestic routes and later transitioned to international flights after Vistara merged with Air India. Tragically, his third day back on duty after a short break to celebrate Bakri Eid with his family in Pune turned out to be his last, as Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12.
He lived in a rented flat in Mumbai while his family resided in Pune.
Among those who gathered to bid him farewell were also his childhood friends from DY Patil School, where Irfan studied up to Std X. "He was one of the few from our group who began working early and made us proud," a friend said, adding, "Even with his hectic schedule, he made time to meet us whenever he was in here."
Irfan's father runs a shop in Sant Tukaramnagar, while his elder brother, Amir, is an IT professional and his mother is a homemaker.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Edu dept seeks report on CU hostel beam fall
1 2 3 Kolkata: The state higher education department has requested a report from Calcutta University after a wooden slab from the ceiling fell on an empty bed at the CU ladies' hostel in Beadon Row early on Friday morning. Higher education department sources said a letter would be sent to the university next week. A wooden beam in room number 17 on the first floor of the PG Lady Students' Hall at Beadon Row collapsed onto an empty bed belonging to a final-year PG student who was fortunately not present at that moment. Two other boarders in that room were affected when dust from concrete and wood fell on them. After the incident, university engineers visited the site, and renovation work will be undertaken soon by a govt agency. A higher education department official told TOI, "This is a very serious matter about which we will ask for a report from the university next week." On Saturday, several boarders were seen leaving the hostel with their luggage. Krishna Roy, a Bengali final-year PG student and All India Democratic Students' Organisation's president of the College Street campus unit, who was in the adjacent room, said, "I heard something heavy fall from the ceiling and immediately came out of my room, which is next to it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo The building is 170 years old and has not been maintained properly. " Calcutta University's interim vice-chancellor Santa Datta Dey said, "Arrangements have been made in some rooms at the PG hostel at Viharilal College and the guest house at Ballygunge to shift the students from the hostel. However, some of the girls do not want to shift as they have exams from June 24 and prefer to stay in the same neighbourhood as it is closer to the university." Boarders have been relocated to six other CU hostels. A university source said the hostel operates in a rented building, and the authorities will seek legal advice before initiating repair work.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Training prog for civil defence volunteers kicks off in UT
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria formally inaugurated the Civil Defence Volunteer Training Programme at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) on Saturday. The inauguration also marked the beginning of the programme's first batch of volunteers. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav welcomed the volunteers with a heartfelt address, assuring full support from the Chandigarh administration. He reflected on the overwhelming public response to the initiative launched post Operation Sindoor, where a modest registration camp at Tagore Theatre on May 10 drew an unexpected crowd of over 5,000 citizens, far surpassing the anticipated 800. This surge of civic enthusiasm led to the selection of 1,600 volunteers from a pool of 7,300 registrants for the first phase of training. These volunteers will be trained in four batches of 400, undergoing a six-day intensive programme that includes sessions at MGSIPA, the fire department, Western Command Army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Looking ahead, a valedictory ceremony in mid-July will celebrate the volunteers' commitment, where they will receive certificates, uniforms, and ID cards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo The city's civil defence structure will be organized into a pyramid command system, ensuring efficient localised disaster management. At the top will be the chief controller, followed by chief wardens, deputy chief wardens, post wardens, sector wardens, and finally the wardens, who will directly oversee the volunteers. Home secretary Mandip Brar emphasized the importance of proactive preparedness, saying, "What truly defines a city is not just how it responds to a disaster, but how prepared it is before the disaster strikes." Kataria urged citizens to embrace the spirit of responsibility, resilience, and readiness, encouraging enthusiastic participation and execution of duties when needed. Volunteers took a solemn pledge, echoing the civil defence motto: "Working for the benefit of all." Among the many inspired citizens is Monika Thakur, a resident of Sector 20, who discovered the programme through Instagram. Driven by a sense of duty, she stepped forward to contribute to the safety and security of her city.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kamdar kin: One crash snatched our 3 generations
Nagpur: Ten days after Air India's Ahmedabad-London flight AI-171 crash that claimed over 250 lives, the pain continues to hurt the city's Kamdar family. "One accident destroyed three generations of our family. We are left with an irredeemable void in our hearts," said a family member at a gathering organised on Saturday evening to pay tribute to the lives lost. Members of Nagpur's Gujarati-Jain community came together to stand by the Kamdar family who lost three loved ones in the plane crash. The accident claimed the life of 32-year-old Yasha Kamdar Modha, her mother-in-law Rakshaben Modha, and her young son Rudra. Yasha was described as a lively and affectionate person. A mathematics postgraduate who had moved to Germany after marriage, she was remembered for her quick grasp of German language and her soulful singing. "She picked up German in no time," said a relative. "She was brilliant, but more than that, she was full of life." Emotions ran high as a nostalgic audio clip of Yasha singing a popular 1990s devotional track was played. Her voice resonated through the hall, stirring deep emotions among the attendees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets สมัคร Undo Many in the gathering were visibly moved, some quietly wiping away tears. "Hearing her voice again, especially in such a moment of grief, was overwhelming," shared a close family friend. Community elder Kirti Shah told TOI: "This tragedy is not confined to one family — it has affected all of us. Yasha was one of our own. Despite living abroad for several years, she never distanced herself from her roots. She remained connected, involved, and proud of her heritage," she said. Kunal Jain, a long-time friend of the Kamdar family, spoke about the fear and shock the crash had triggered in the community. "It's hard to process something so sudden and irreversible. Accidents like these make you question everything. There's a sense of fear around air travel now," he admitted. "But we also have to remind ourselves that flights are essential in today's world. They connect us, bring families together, and open opportunities. We can't let fear paralyse our lives, even in the face of tragedy." Two other friends of the Kamdars, who wished not to be named, echoed similar sentiments about the family and the respect for them in the community. "The Kamdars were always ready to help anyone in need — quietly, without seeking attention or recognition. They were humble, warm-hearted people who treated everyone like family," one of them said.
