Pune BPO manager missed by family and friends

The family and friends of Makarand Patwardhan (38), internal audit manager of city-based BPO, Hov Services Limited, who died in a tyre-burst accident on the Pune-Mumbai expressway on Saturday evening, are still to come to terms with the tragedy.

Patwardhan and his two colleagues were returning to Pune from Mumbai. Patwardhan was a good table tennis player and a down-to-earth person. Makarand is survived by 8-year-old daughter, wife and parents.

According to Lonavla rural police, the rear tyres of Patwardhan’s car burst and the car skidded more than 100 metres, as a result of which it went off the expressway, hit a roadside rock and
turned turtle.

Patwardhan, who was driving the car, died on the spot, while his two colleagues, Nilesh Bafna (38) of Bibvewadi and Balbir Singh Batara (52) of Yerawada were injured in the accident. The injured men, who were admitted to Lokmanya Hospital in Nigdi, are reportedly out of danger.

When DNA visited Patwardhan’s Sinhagad Road home on Monday afternoon, his wife Mrunal said, “Makarand’s lively and jovial nature made him very popular. He loved to crack jokes and would keep everyone in splits. He would seldom miss his table tennis practice on Sundays.’’

Ajit Kolhatkar, paternal cousin of Makarand told DNA, “Makarand was an amiable person who loved to mingle with family and friends. He had gone to Mumbai to attend a reception.’’

Patwardhan’s friend and former colleague, Vikram Hire said, “I worked with him for three years. He loved to trek and was a good table tennis player. He was my senior and always encouraged me. He was always eager to learn new things.’’