Last rites of Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died while practicing for the Aeroshow on Tuesday, will be held on Thursday at his hometown Hisar. The family was waiting for the body to arrive late evening. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s wife and his mother-in-law who was also with her in the US at the time of the incident, reached India late afternoon. DNA learnt from close family friends that his mother Dr Sudesh Gandhi had a premonition in the morning of the fateful day. “She performs pooja on every full moon and did the same on Wednesday too. However, she called me and told me that she was feeling uneasy and asked me to come over. I went to her place and took her out for a coffee,” said Lali Yadav, an old friend of Sudesh’s. It was on their way back that they received the tragic news.
Last rites of Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died while practicing for the Aeroshow on Tuesday, will be held on Thursday at his hometown Hisar. The family was waiting for the body to arrive late evening. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s wife and his mother-in-law who was also with her in the US at the time of the incident, reached India late afternoon. DNA learnt from close family friends that his mother Dr Sudesh Gandhi had a premonition in the morning of the fateful day. “She performs pooja on every full moon and did the same on Wednesday too. However, she called me and told me that she was feeling uneasy and asked me to come over. I went to her place and took her out for a coffee,” said Lali Yadav, an old friend of Sudesh’s. It was on their way back that they received the tragic news.
The family was in fact, eagerly waiting for the pilot’s performance at the Aeroshow. His father Madan Mohan Gandhi had even updated his old colleagues in a WhatsApp group, proudly asking them to watch the performance on television.
Gandhi was in the habit of surprising his family whether it was reached home unannounced or gifting them something. Crestfallen and broken after the demise of her beloved son, Sudesh was heard wailing that this was not the surprise she had ever wished for.
A group of childhood friends working in the US also organised a wake for their friend. Still reeling under shock, they remembered Gandhi’s ever smiling face and extraordinary charm that made him a favourite with boys and girls alike. When contacted by DNA, Texas-based Pradeep Sangwan said, “The news has come as a sledgehammer. I am in no position to speak. We grew up together and he was a very close friend, a very vital part of my childhood.”
Himani, a software engineer and the pilot’s son had visited him in December for New Years. She moved to the US in 2008 and both of them continued visiting each other as Gandhi was keen that his wife continued with her job. “He always encouraged her to hold onto her own identity. Though they missed each other, he was happy to see her grow professionally,” Mayank, a friend shared.
The family’s home has had a steady stream of visitors since Tuesday evening as the unfortunate news reached the city. Colleagues from CCSHAU where Sudesh was a teaching faculty and recently retired from, Gandhi’s school teachers and neighbours have been coming to offer condolences. Each one of them has a heart warming tale to narrate about the officer.
“His ever smiling face will forever be etched in my mind. From riding a bicycle to school to flying the most coveted aircrafts in the Air Force, he made us proud even after he is gone,” said Veena S, another family friend, fighting back tears.
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 "Sahil Gandhi with his son")
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