2 weeks Ago
Pune: For Kaustubh Gunbote (58), the fateful trip to Pahalgam was supposed to be a "break" from the hectic schedule he kept while managing a popular snack business in Pune. "It took some convincing for him to go," said Kaustubh's sister Archana Devdhar. "We told him to enjoy life a bit, instead of spending too much time with the business.
" Family members said Kaustubh built the business from scratch, spending hours every day planning every small detail. The brand - Gunbote Farsan - would end up with at least 16 franchise stores in the city. "He didn't even have time for a picnic; he always had a reason.
The Pahalgam holiday was the break we'd been waiting for," Archana said. The Gunbotes, originally from Phaltan in Satara district, had moved to Pune's Rasta Peth many years ago, where Kaustubh set up his small business of manufacturing and selling farsan, which he would take to shops himself. Later, he set up a snack manufacturing unit in Sainagar in Kondhwa, and moved his family there.
Friends said Kaustubh's strong sense of responsibility set in early in life. "He lost his mother when he was a child. And that changed him.
He never ignored his family," said Sunil More, a longtime friend. Others recalled a man who was a thorough professional. Prakash Daga, a bank worker who managed Kaustubh's business account said he'd never seen a customer like him.
"I've handled more than 6,000 bank accounts since 1999 but he stood out because he was also very caring. Over the years, we became close friends. We would invite each other home, whenever there was something to celebrate," Daga said.
And the Gunbotes were planning big celebrations to welcome a newcomer in the family. Kaustubh's son, Kunal, works with an IT company in Hinjewadi. Recently, he and his wife had a baby.
"I remember how happy Kaustubh was when he became a grandfather," said More, his longtime friend. "In fact, he told me it was now time to travel and spend as much time as he could with the child," More added. Pravin Kulkarni, another family friend, said Kaustubh was planning a big naming ceremony for the baby.
"He was busy making plans for it almost every day. He was such a happy man. I know he would've made a fantastic grandpa," Kulkarni said.
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