Cabin Crew Pinky Mali's Tragic Demise in Ajit Pawar Aircraft Crash
The aviation accident involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has claimed the life of cabin crew member Pinky Mali, leaving her family and community in profound grief. The 29-year-old flight attendant, a resident of Worli in Mumbai, was on board the ill-fated flight that met with disaster earlier in the day.
Family's Heartbreaking Account of the Loss
Relatives and neighbours gathered outside Pinky Mali's flat in Worli on Wednesday as news of her death spread. Inside the home, her mother and elder sister were inconsolable, grappling with the sudden tragedy. Pinky's father, Shiv Kumar Mali, shared the poignant last conversation he had with his daughter on Tuesday evening.
"She told me she was going to Baramati with Ajit Pawar and from there would travel to Nanded," he recounted. "She left early this morning. I learnt about the incident when news of Ajit Pawar's aircraft crash appeared on television. When my daughter's name flashed on breaking news, we realised we had lost her."
Pinky Mali's Personal Life and Background
Pinky was married and lived in Pune with her husband, who works as a manager in a private firm. She is survived by her parents, her husband, her elder sister Preeti who resides in Thane, and her younger brother Karan, who has completed his education and is currently seeking employment. The family has been living for the past six months in a rented flat on the 18th floor of a Century Mill MHADA building in Worli, having previously resided on the 12th floor of the same structure.
Fulfilling a Father's Dream in Aviation
Shiv Kumar Mali revealed that his daughter's career as a cabin crew member was the realisation of a long-held aspiration rooted in his own past. In 1989, he worked as a dry cleaner at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where he lost his job after making an error while servicing an aircraft carrying then Prime Minister V P Singh.
"I requested the authorities to give me another chance, but they said there could be no leniency as it was the Prime Minister's flight," he explained. He often narrated this incident to Pinky, who would reassure him, "She would say she would fulfil my dream." After completing her Higher Secondary Certificate in English medium, Pinky chose to pursue a career as a cabin crew member over modelling, following her father's encouragement.
Career Journey and Political Connections
Pinky had previously worked with a domestic airline for three years before joining a private carrier. According to local residents, she had recently met Ajit Pawar and informed him that her father had been associated with the Nationalist Congress Party for several years before switching political affiliations. "She gave him her father's mobile number. Ajit Pawar later called him, but he could not take the call as he was driving his taxi. Subsequently, his personal assistant sent a message saying he would meet him in Mumbai," a resident disclosed.
Family's Emotional Tributes and Last Moments
Her younger brother, Karan Mali (23), mentioned that she had only informed him about her travel plans from Baramati to Nanded, without expressing any anxiety. Cousin Atul Mali (24) described Pinky as a pillar of support for the family after his mother's death last year. "She told me she would always look after me and my younger siblings. She was very caring and spoke to us at least once a week," he said. "Every morning I send her a message saying 'Jai Shree Ram'. Today, at around 6 a.m., she replied, 'Jai Shree Ram'."
Awaiting Official Investigation and Community Support
The family is currently awaiting official information regarding the cause of the accident. "There is a black box in the aircraft and the exact reason will be known only after investigation. It could be a technical fault or something else. But for us, we have lost our daughter," Mali stated. Throughout the day, neighbours continued to arrive at the residence to offer condolences as the family awaited further updates from authorities.
This tragic incident has not only highlighted the risks associated with air travel for political leaders but also underscored the personal stories and dreams cut short by such disasters. Pinky Mali's dedication to her family and her father's unfulfilled aviation aspirations add a deeply human dimension to this developing news story from Maharashtra.
