Rahul Gandhi Participates in Funeral of Raiyan Banaji, Son of Renowned Mumbai Ophthalmologist
Click to start listening
Satara (Maharashtra), Dec 16 (NationPress) Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, journeyed to Maharashtra to attend the funeral of Raiyan B. Banaji, the son of esteemed Mumbai ophthalmologist Dr. Burjor P. Banaji, as reported by official sources.
At the age of 35, Raiyan Banaji, a passionate sports lover and online trader, tragically passed away recently while participating in a rugby tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.
Earlier this month, during a match in Portugal, Raiyan experienced a cardiac arrest and died, with his remains arriving in the family's ancestral town of Mahabaleshwar on Monday.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Pune from New Delhi late Sunday night, proceeding to drive to the Mahabaleshwar hill station in the adjacent Satara district for the final rites, which were conducted in accordance with Parsi customs.
Initially, the Congress leader visited the Banaji residence, sincerely expressing his condolences to the grieving parents, Dr. Burjor and his wife Jinal, Raiyan’s widow Roshni Dadachanji, and other family members, as per sources.
Following this, he took part in the funeral procession and the cremation rites that were held in line with the Parsi religious traditions.
The Gandhi family shares close ties with the Banaji family, dating back to his grandfather, the late Feroze Gandhi, who was married to the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Last year, before the INDIA bloc meeting in Mumbai, Rahul Gandhi visited Dr. Banaji’s clinic for an eye examination, as noted by a party source.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Working President Supriya Sule and other prominent figures from various sectors, including politics, business, and the entertainment industry, are part of Dr. Banaji’s clientele.
The Parsi Zoroastrians Worldwide (PZW) expressed heartfelt condolences to Raiyan Banaji, honoring him as “our sweet handsome Cathedral (school, in Mumbai) alumnus.”
The Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM), of which Raiyan was a member, stated in a tribute: “A tribute to a true gentleman, Raiyan Banaji. Your legacy will continue to inspire. That contagious smile and infectious laugh – forever in our hearts.”
