Kolekars’ kin, friends coming to terms with loss

Residents of the Sukh Sagar building in Borivali, where the Kolekars lived, said a group of neighbours is with Swanand’s elder brother Samved in Malaysia. “Latika Aggarwal, a close family friend of the Kolekars, her brother-in-law and three others have gone to meet Samved in Malaysia,” said Satish Ghogle, general secretary of the building. The Ghogles and the Kolekars have been close friends for the last 29 years.

Residents said Samved is expected to return to India in the next four days.

On Tuesday afternoon, students and faculty at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RGIT) observed silence for two minutes for Swanad, who had graduated from the college. Prof R G Sharma, who taught Swanand in his final year, said, “He wanted to pursue MS. The college is hosting a cultural festival currently, and students from our college as well as participating colleges, the faculty, staff and visitors offered prayers on Tuesday.”

The Kolekars’ neighbours also decided not to celebrate Holi this year as a mark of respect for the family. “We had issued a notice and the residents unanimously accepted the request. Vinod was one of the founding members of the society,” said Ghogle.

rohit.alok@expressindia.com