A Noble Soul Departs

 

09 October 2026 was a profoundly sad day, when countless admirers and friends of AVM SK Jindal lost someone, they loved and cherished. He will always be remembered for his remarkable zest for life, his extraordinary desire to do good for others, and his determination to leave behind a meaningful legacy.

Air Vice Marshal SK Jindal and Mrs. Manjula Jindal were among the happiest couples we have ever known. It was only after we moved to AFNOE, Dwarka, following my retirement, that we truly came to know the Jindals. Although we knew many residents of AFNOE, the Jindals stood out as those whose genuine warmth and affection made their company especially precious to us.

During service, I had revered him from a distance when he was at AFTC, first as a Group Captain and later as its Commandant. He retired as ACAS (Sys) just a day before I took over as PDGL, one of the directorates under his purview. Thus, I missed the opportunity to work with him - an experience that all those who served under him, both men and women, hold in high regard.

Even after retirement, he remained fond of visiting Air HQ to meet his old friends. He would often go out of his way, using his influence to help those he cared for find the right appointments. Such gestures reflected his deep affection for people and his enduring commitment to their well-being.

Recently, he shared with me the shocking news of his illness, telling me that he had little time left. He also entrusted me with the draft of his biography, asking me to review it and help with some text editing. That conversation now remains an especially poignant memory.

Rest in peace, Sir. Your warmth, affection and goodness will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives you touched.

Om Shanti. 🙏🏻

Pramod Athawale