The engineering student also said that he was contacted by the pilot’s brother Akash Shelke on Thursday, 21 February.

“I got a call around 8 pm. He said he was the pilot’s brother and that Sir wanted to meet me. He said that they would arrange a vehicle if I could come immediately. But since it was late, I decided to go on Friday morning,” he said.

He went on to say that he was received with hugs and smiles by the family. “They were very nice to us. They said that we should visit him when Sir has recovered at their home town. I was very happy to see him,” he said.