Flight Lt Deora laid to rest with military honours in Pali village

Jodhpur: In a heart-wrenching turn of events, what was meant to be a year of celebration for the Deora family in Khivandi village of Pali district turned into one of profound grief as they bid farewell to their 23-year-old son, Flight Lt Rishiraj Singh Deora, Thursday.

The young co-pilot, who had dreamed of flying since childhood, lost his life in the IAF Jaguar plane crash during a routine training sortie in Churu Wednesday. For his parents, who were busy planning their son's wedding and envisioning him as a groom on horseback, the sight of his mortal remains on the funeral pyre was an unbearable reality.

"He was the pride of our family. With his career firmly in place, we had begun preparing for the next chapter of his life, hoping to see him married within a year or two. But now, everything has come to an end," said his uncle, Hitpal Singh.

Rishiraj's father, Jaswant Singh, a local hotelier, stood in silent anguish, struggling to accept the cruel twist of fate that had befallen their family. The tragic IAF accident had claimed the lives of two officers—pilot, Wing Commander Lokendra Singh Sindhu (44) from Rohtak, Haryana, and co-pilot, Flight Lt Rishiraj.

The tragedy has raised serious questions about the safety of aging aircraft in the IAF. "Why are new pilots given old planes that have completed their flying cycle? If this continues, many pilots will be lost like my nephew," demanded Rishiraj's uncle, Hitpal, his voice heavy with emotion. "This is not just a personal loss; it's a national loss."

Rishiraj's journey to becoming a fighter pilot was a testament to his determination and brilliance. "He was fascinated by fighter planes since childhood," recalled family member Pratap Singh. "After excelling in his studies in Jodhpur, he pursued his dream through NDA in Pune, choosing the Air Force to become a pilot."

The journey of Rishiraj's last rites began when his body was transported from Suratgarh to Jodhpur Air Force Station on Thursday afternoon. From there, he was flown by helicopter to Sirohi, arriving at approximately 4:00 PM. The final journey continued by road to his village, where a somber crowd gathered to pay their respects to the young pilot.

As the sun set on Thursday evening, the village of Khivandi came together to bid farewell to their young hero. The air was filled with patriotic slogans as military honours were bestowed upon him, leaving behind a grieving family, including his mother Bhanwar Kanwar, a homemaker, and his younger brother Yuvraj, who is still in school.

As the community came together to mourn, the call for safety reforms in military aviation grew louder, ensuring that the sacrifices of brave pilots like Flight Lt Rishiraj Singh Deora are honoured with the utmost respect and care for their lives.