The grieving parents of Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Rai, who lost his life in a tragic trainer jet crash, have expressed their deep anguish over being excluded from the entitlements and honours that followed their son’s death—benefits that, according to them, were solely extended to their daughter-in-law.
The 33-year-old Indian Air Force pilot died on December 4, 2023, while flying a Pilatus PC-7 Mark-II aircraft during a training sortie near the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. He was mentoring a foreign cadet when the aircraft crashed, killing both on board.
His parents, Group Captain Amitabh Rai (retd) and his wife Chitralekha, are heartbroken not just by the loss of their only son, but also by the complete lack of official acknowledgment from the government. They said they have not received even a single word of condolence from any senior leaders, including the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister, since their son’s passing.
The couple believes that the government’s policy in such cases is flawed and must be changed to also include and recognise the role and grief of the martyr's parents alongside their spouses.
They pointed out that this is not an isolated case and that several other parents of fallen soldiers have faced similar neglect, as benefits and recognition are usually restricted to the wives of the deceased.
Chitralekha emphasised that the policy overlooks the immense emotional and moral contributions made by the parents, particularly the mothers, who raise their children with the values that ultimately lead them to serve and sacrifice for their country.
Group Captain Rai questioned why the honour of a condolence or even official recognition should be reserved only for the soldier's wife, while the parents are left without even a token of acknowledgment.
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The couple also raised concerns about how, in some cases, widows of martyred soldiers have treated in-laws poorly after receiving compensations and pensions, and have even taken legal action to claim ancestral properties. Rai remarked that while the widow is often hailed as a "veer nari" (brave woman), the mother of the martyr—who nurtured and raised the soldier—is rarely acknowledged with the same respect or honour.
Adding to their pain is the fact that their son has not even been officially recognised as a "martyr" because his death did not occur in a battle zone. Despite having died in the line of duty while serving the nation, the current classification does not accord him the status of a martyr.
This, they said, further deepens their sorrow and sense of injustice. Rai noted that his son had even served in the Prime Minister's special fleet for over a year and a half, which highlights his dedication and calibre as a pilot.
Recalling the tragic incident, Group Captain Rai explained that the crash occurred during a low-level navigation sortie. He claimed that the foreign cadet under Abhimanyu’s training was struggling—lacking memory, confidence, and motivation to continue.
The cadet had even expressed his concerns in writing to Abhimanyu, but with the passing out parade nearing, Abhimanyu chose to support and guide him through the final stages of training. The crash occurred during one such effort.
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When asked why Abhimanyu didn’t raise concerns about the cadet’s ability with his superiors, Rai suggested that he might have felt pressured due to the diplomatic nature of the cadet's presence in India.
The IAF routinely trains cadets from friendly nations as part of strengthening diplomatic relations, and such programmes often place the onus on trainers to ensure successful outcomes, which can come with significant stress and expectations.
He called this a systemic flaw that urgently needs to be addressed. An official inquiry into the crash is still underway, but until the investigation provides answers, the Rais are left with unsettling questions—whether their son was overburdened, under undue pressure, or affected by a mistake made by the trainee cadet.
In their effort to honour their son's memory, the couple travelled to the crash site in Hyderabad and erected a memorial at their own expense. They also visited the foreign cadet’s country, met his grieving parents, and even extended financial assistance as a gesture of goodwill. Rai recounted how his wife and the cadet's mother found solace in each other's arms, united in shared grief over the loss of their sons.
Despite the personal tragedy, Group Captain Amitabh Rai has continued to serve the nation in his own way—by offering free coaching and training to young aspirants aiming to join the armed forces, inspiring them with the same spirit of patriotism and selflessness that defined his son's life and service.
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