Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crash | ‘He wanted to fly in the sky’: Kin struggle to come to terms with death of flight lieutenant

Ravindra Duragkar, tried to maintain a composed face as relatives arrived to console the family. His mother, Sandhya Duragkar, however, was yet to come to terms with the news.

“She keeps saying that her son will return, that he is on his way home,” a relative standing outside the house said. Purvesh’s sister, who lives in the US, is arranging to return to Nagpur, the relative added.

Recalling the celebration held three year ago, Ravindra Duragkar said the moment had meant everything to the family. Purvesh’s sister had secured a admission to IIT Bombay as well, bringing joy to the family.

Flight Lieutenant Shivalee Deshpande (Retd), director of Prahar Defence Academy and secretary of Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha in Nagpur, where Duragkar had prepared for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview under her guidance. (Express photo)

“In December 2022, we organised a ‘Swapnapurti Sohla’ for our children, Purvesh and Sayali. Purvesh had always wanted to become a fighter pilot, and my daughter aspired to join IIT Bombay. After Purvesh was selected in the Indian Air Force, we celebrated the moment with relatives, friends and some prominent people from Nagpur who had achieved success in their fields,” he told The Indian Express.

He paused occasionally as relatives approached him, nodding quietly as they said “kalji ghya (take care)”. Ravindra Duragkar works as a transport inspector with Central Railway.“I wanted him to become an inspiration for others. I think he will,” he said softly, looking down as friends and relatives gathered around him.

“My son had a deep sense of patriotism. After joining the forces, one truly understands their importance. Ordinary citizens do not know much about the armed forces,” he added.

Duragkar had been commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 7, 2022.

Officials said the twin-seat Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet had taken off from the Jorhat Air Base for a routine sortie but lost radar contact around 7.42 pm on Thursday and later crashed in the hills of Karbi Anglong district, about 60 km away. In a statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths.

Ravindra Duragkar said the family learnt of the tragedy early Friday. “His Group Captain spoke to us at around 7.50 am and informed us that he is no more,” he said.

Purvesh was deeply passionate about flying and often spoke to his family about his work. “He used to tell us that the Sukhoi-30 plays a vital role in the country’s security,” his father said.

Duragkar had joined the Indian Air Force through the AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) entry. He underwent training in Hyderabad and later spent six months in Bidar for advanced flying training before being posted to Tezpur in Assam.

At the time of the crash, he was flying sorties from Jorhat as runway work was underway at the Tezpur base, his father said.

He had also been part of Operation Sindoor. “During that period we did not even know where he was,” Ravindra Duragkar said.

‘I want to fly in the sky’

Family members say Purvesh’s dream of becoming a pilot began when he was a child. “Whenever he heard the sound of an aircraft, he would run to the terrace to watch it. He would keep looking at the plane until it disappeared from sight,” said his aunt Kokila Duragkar. “He used to say, ‘I want to fly in the sky’.”

“He was home just eight days ago. His sister had come from the US and the house felt lively. Now the joy of this home is gone.”
Still struggling to believe the news, some family members continue to hope for a miracle. “Nandu wapas yeil asach wattay (we feel Nandu will come back),” his aunt said, recalling his nickname.

School’s hall of fame

A poster of Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar standing beside a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft still hangs in the hall of fame of Nagpur’s South Public School, where he studied.

School principal Mrunal Dasture said he had remained closely connected with the institution even after joining the armed forces and had returned as chief guest for a school function.

Former classmates remembered him as quiet and soft-spoken. One classmate said Duragkar had recently spoken about meeting friends during his next visit home. “We had planned to meet soon,” the classmate said. “But we couldn’t.”

Duragkar completed his B.Sc. in Computer Science from Dr Ambedkar College.

Poster of Purvesh mounted at his school. (Express Photo)

He represented Maharashtra in six national NCC camps and also took part in aero-modelling competitions representing the Maharashtra Directorate. He later trained at the Defence Services Academy (DSA) Shahapur in Bhandara near Nagpur.

Members of Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha, which supported his preparation for the defence services, also remembered him as disciplined and determined.

Flight Lieutenant Shivalee Deshpande (Retd), director of Prahar Defence Academy and secretary of Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha, said Duragkar had prepared for the Services Selection Board interview under their guidance.

“He was an extremely regular, sincere and dedicated student. I just came from his home. Today is a sad day. Citizens must acknowledge and respect such sacrifices,” she said.