Feature: NayakGiri: Late FLt Cdt Parag Chandrakant Limaye

Parag Chandrakant Limaye

I remember watching Rang De Basanti. Scene marks out for us is the one in which Aamir Khan jibes Madhavan that he will die with gun salute draped in Tricolor. We lost our friend in MIG crash on 25th Oct 1995 (born on 14th Oct 1973). Parag Limaye our batchmate at katariya Highschool, was never destined to be designated a Fighter Pilot: A dream which he shared with us in primary school. This is one man who had clear objective in school days when all of us mere mortals decided to join rat race of medical/engineering to be later evolved most of us into IT coolies of new age India. Parag was lone son of Sujata and Late Chandakant Limaye who used to work with Defense accounts. Right from school days he got into preparatory mode for NDA entrance. That mainly comprised of entrance exam books, exercise, and expert advice from defense guys. To top that he attended a gliding course at Hadapsar. He went into SP College in 11 and 12th with main focus on NDA entrance. He cleared the first attempt but was denied airforce in first attempt. So he had to do engineering course at COEP (had got good marks in 12th to manage that). But he attempted twice. He then cleared PAPT and health test to enter India squadron of NDA. Throughout he remained an enthusiast about trekking and other adventure sports. We still remember his comments in his soft spoken style and unique voice during our treks to places like rajgad, makarandgad, etc. We used to meet him at NDA or in Pune on his Sunday offs. He used to tell us stories of hardships in NDA life and most importantly the fun part of it as interpreted by him. He then went into Air-force training academy at Allahabad. He completed his solo flight; instructor led flight and had just few routines to be designated as Fighter Pilot. That was never to be…

During routine instructor led flight alongside Sq ldr Anuj Baid, on fateful day of 25th Oct 1995, his MIG developed a technical snag and crashed into Ganga river near sangam.. His dreams and parents aspirations were killed on same date…
His mother and few friends, relatives brushed aside the loss and decided to keep his memory alive in form of a Trust in his name. Lt Flt Cdt Parag Chandrakant Limaye memorial trust was formed in 1998 to stand for everything he stood for. The main cause is to promote defense entrance, support adventure sports and other social causes. The Trust carries out activities every October. It has donated the best cadet trophy for Pune NCC camp, defense entrance books to SP College, Rani Laxmi School. The Trust Constituted trophy for punt race at COEP boat club. Trust conducted defense entrance lectures by experts at Nerlekar school, SP College. Trust conducted treks for underprivileged children, sponsored Ramkrishna Math students to Bhosala military school, had rappelling, parasailing camps. Trust wishes to continue this work further and enliven his memory. You can contact cityblogpuneonline@gmail.com or on 9403185508 for any support.