Kind, soft-spoken, and down-to-earth, that’s how neighbours and friends describe Saineeta Chakravarti, one of the ten cabin crew members on board the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people. mid-day visited Juhu Koliwada, where Saineeta — fondly known as Pinky — had lived for over a decade.
As we walked through the narrow lanes of the Koliwada, lined with tightly packed ground-plus-two and three-storey homes, all anyone could talk about was the heartbreaking loss of their beloved Pinky. The tragedy has left the community in disbelief. “She always had a smile on her face whenever we met her,” said a neighbour. “You couldn’t help but feel warm around her.”
A friend in grief
Her friend and former colleague, Selva Kumar, was present at her residence, comforting her family during this unimaginable time. “I’m from Puducherry and have known her for four years. She later moved to Air India, and I joined too. She was one of the kindest, most humble people I’ve ever met. Always positive,” he told mid-day.
Rema Chakravarti (seated), mother of Saineeta, being consoled by neighbours at their Juhu Koliwada home. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Selva last spoke to her at 10 am on Friday, just before she boarded the plane. Since her mother wasn’t comfortable using WhatsApp, Saineeta had asked Selva to keep her parents updated about her flights. “She said she’d call me once she landed in London so I could inform her mother,” he said, his voice breaking. “Since yesterday [June 12], none of us can believe she’s gone.”
Devoted daughter, sister
When mid-day reached her house, neighbours had gathered to console her mother, Rema Chakravarti, and her father, Abin Chakravarti, both in deep shock over the loss of their precious daughter. Saineeta was the elder sibling; her younger sister is married and lives in another state.
Jyoti Jagtap, a neighbour, said, “Just a few days ago, I saw her with my little daughter. She was so fond of her. She used to say, ‘One day, your daughter will fly too, just like me.’ She had such a beautiful soul. Since the crash, I can’t get her smile out of my head.”
Another neighbour shared that the Chakravarti family was known and respected in the locality. “They were one of the most decent, warm families here. Everyone loved them.” Joseph Pereira, a long-time neighbour, said, “The whole locality is in shock. We never imagined this. She was passionate about her work, and so simple and kind. It’s a loss not just for her family, but for all of us.”
