India, Nov. 24 -- Thousands of people gathered in Patialkar village on Sunday to bid goodbye to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, killed in the Tejas Jet crash at the Dubai air show. As the final rites of Syal were being performed, his father, Jagan Nath Syal, said that his death was a national loss.

Stating that the country lost a promising pilot with the death of Syal, Jagan said, "It is not just my personal loss: it is the nation's loss." Syal's father also said that very few people get the honour of serving the country.

Jagan Nath Syal has also served in the Indian Army and later worked in the education department before retiring as a principal.

Talking about Namansh Syal, his father said that he was outstanding and excelled in everythi...