Eknath Shinde’s Flight Delay Turns Into Lifesaver for Woman Needing Emergency Kidney Treatment

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde faced an unexpected delay at Jalgaon Airport on Wednesday night, arriving over an hour later than scheduled. He reached the airport around 9:15 pm, but the pilot initially refused to take off, citing that the delay had pushed him past his duty hours, sources said.

For nearly 45 minutes, Shinde and ministers Girish Mahajan and Gulabrao Patil, along with local officials, held a closed-door discussion with the pilot, attempting to persuade him. Eventually, the flight was cleared for takeoff.

Shinde’s travel day had already been disrupted earlier, with his flight — originally scheduled to land at 3:45 pm — arriving nearly three hours late at 6:15 pm due to technical issues. Shinde travelled by road from Jalgaon to Muktainagar to attend the Sant Muktai Palkhi Yatra, offered prayers at the temple, and returned to the airport that night.

The Deputy CM’s late arrival turned out to be a blessing for Sheetal Patil, a woman in urgent need of kidney treatment in Mumbai. She had missed her earlier flight and was stranded at Jalgaon Airport, unsure of how she’d reach the city in time for care. On learning about her situation, Minister Girish Mahajan, who was at the airport with Shinde, quickly stepped in. He arranged for Sheetal and her husband to board Shinde’s flight to Mumbai.

Speaking to India Today TV, Mahajan said, “Eknath Shinde has not forgotten his days of struggle. He showed real compassion and sensitivity toward someone in need.”

What began as a frustrating delay ended with a powerful reminder of empathy in leadership — and for one woman, it may have made all the difference.