The first commercial flight from Navi Mumbai International Airport to Hyderabad took off with more than just passengers and crew on board. Before departure, airline staff and airport officials performed
a traditional poojan inside the aircraft, marking the beginning of operations from one of India’s most ambitious aviation projects. The moment blended faith, tradition and progress, setting the tone for what many see as a new chapter in India’s infrastructure story.
A reel capturing the ceremony soon surfaced on social media and quickly went viral. Captioned, “A historic beginning. First flight poojan at Navi Mumbai International Airport. New dreams take off from here”, the video showed crew members participating in the ritual with folded hands and solemn expressions. While many viewers praised the gesture as a proud and emotional moment, it was an unexpected detail that truly stole the spotlight — the prasad distributed after the poojan.
View this post on Instagram
However, eagle-eyed netizens soon zoomed in on the sweets served during the ceremony, sparking widespread curiosity and discussion online. Comments began pouring in, not just about the ritual, but about where the prasad came from and why it looked so premium.
“Prashant corner famous jhala,” read a comment. Another person said, “Prashant corner mithai.”
Why the Prasad Became the Real Talking Point
The sweets were traced back to Prashant Corner, a legendary mithai brand from Thane, Maharashtra. Established in 1989, Prashant Corner is widely regarded as one of the most trusted and beloved sweet shops in the region. From autorickshaw drivers to senior bureaucrats and politicians, the brand enjoys near-universal recognition for its quality, hygiene, and consistency.
View this post on Instagram
What truly fueled online chatter was speculation that the prasad may have included Suvarna Mithai, Prashant Corner’s most luxurious offering. Suvarna Mithai is crafted using premium ingredients such as pure Kashmir kesar, Mamra almonds, Pishori pistachios, and cardamom, and is topped with 24-carat edible gold leaves. Priced at a staggering ₹50,000 per kg, it is known as a status symbol and is frequently bought in bulk by corporators and MLAs for VIP gifting, especially during festive seasons.
From Small Kiosk to Iconic Brand
Prashant Corner’s journey adds another layer of interest to the story. Founded by Prashant Sakpal, a Class 7 dropout inspired by the “Marathi Manoos” ideology, the brand grew from a modest beginning that included selling milk door-to-door and running a small kiosk. Over the years, Sakpal learned the art of mithai-making, opened his first dedicated sweet shop in 2000, and eventually built a business that now includes 17 outlets across Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel and beyond, along with a massive factory in Wagle Estate. His daughter Aishwarya has since joined the business, driving expansion and innovation.
As the first flight lifted off from Navi Mumbai International Airport, it wasn’t just aviation history being made. For many online, the golden prasad became a symbol of local pride, tradition, and quiet luxury, proving that sometimes, it’s the smallest details that leave the biggest impression.
