“Despite offering prayers in the day, Sanjay would go to the temple in the night, however late it was. He’d distribute the prasadto the shanty residents downstairs,” said Shubhangi (27), Sanjay’s sister, a nurse by profession.

A couple of years back, Sanjay and Shubhangi lost their father. While their older brother took on the responsibility of his education, he watched his older siblings work and decided he had to share responsibilities. After completing a diploma in automobile repairs, he found a job as a mechanic. Six months on the job, Jakinkar was earning Rs 1,500 per month.

“Unlike other boys his age, Sanjay never shied away from cleaning the house, cooking or getting vegetables from the market. He always helped around when he was at home,” said Shubhangi.

Sanjay was also very close to members of the Sai Mitra Mandal, which organized the tour, often participating in cultural programmes organised by the mandal. In fact, he had accompanied the group on a Shirdi tour last year too.

“I was on night duty when the incident happened, we only got to know at 7 am the next day. We did not turn on the television at all, since my mother was really tense. It was only at two in the afternoon that we heard he was dead,” she cried. Sandeep (26), the other sibling, is trying hard to forget what he saw at the spot — he went to fetch the body — and at the hospital.

“His friends told us that he'd jokingly told them this was the last time they are seeing him. It was as if he knew what was destined,” Shubhangi said.