Latest news with #Clive
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Farewell to Clive Kunder: ‘He hasn't left us; he's only flying higher now'
MUMBAI: At the Sewri Christian Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, under grey skies and swaying trees, God was a palpable presence at the funeral of Clive Kunder, the 32-year-old co-pilot of the ill-fated Ahmedabad–London flight. Rain whispered across the leaves and gravestones as mourners gathered beneath a gazebo to remember a man who was, by all accounts, as devoted to his family and faith as he was to the skies he flew. 'Seventeen years ago, we met Clive for the first time. Since then, we watched him grow, evolve, and soar,' said Steffi Miranda, a close friend from Wilson College, addressing an emotional gathering that included Kunder's parents and younger sister, Camille. 'But today, we are here first and foremost for his family—because for Clive, family always came first.' From the early years in Kalina to the cockpit of a Dreamliner, Kunder's life was marked by quiet determination and deep affection. Arun Balachandran, a fellow Air India pilot and long-time friend, offered a glimpse into their shared past. 'I first knew Clive not as a colleague, but as a schoolboy,' he said. 'We used to wait at the same bus stop when he was just 10 or 12. We played football together. To see him grow into the 6-foot man he became—and then to fly beside him—was an honour I will carry with me forever.' After earning his undergraduate degree in science, Kunder trained at the Bombay Flying Club's College of Aeronautics before heading to Miami to complete his pilot training. At Air India, he served as a first officer on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, amassing over 1,100 flying hours. 'Clive was the kind of person who brought both precision and cheerfulness to his job,' said Balachandran. 'He was immaculate in the cockpit and always carried a smile.' Those who knew him best also remembered the deeper currents of his life—his unwavering religious faith and the love he held for his younger sister. 'Clive was deeply spiritual, rooted in a personal, steadfast version of tradition,' said Miranda. 'He was incredibly devoted to Camille.' She concluded her eulogy with Walt Whitman's O Captain! My Captain!—a fitting tribute to a man who had lived with purpose and heart. 'Though grief surrounds us, there is pride too—in who Clive became. He hasn't left us; he's only flying higher now.' The service, steeped in music and memory, was led by Father Sam Munnir of UBM Christa Kanthi Church in Kurla, the congregation Kunder was raised in. 'Clive grew up in the Christian faith. I watched him grow in the church, attend Sunday school, and confirm his faith under my guidance,' said Father Munnir, reading from letters of condolence sent by reverends across the globe. 'He had reverence not just for God, but for all people—a true servant in every sense.' As the church choir accompanied his coffin into the cemetery, mourners sang hymns—soft, solemn notes rising into the stormy air. The service closed with a moving rendition of Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, echoing over the final resting place of a young man remembered not just for how he flew, but how he lived.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Co-pilot laid to rest in Sewri, Dombivli bids goodbye to young flight attendant
1 2 Mumbai: Air India co-pilot Clive Kunder, 32, who was killed in the Ahmedabad air crash on June 12, was buried in Sewri cemetery on Thursday. His family accorded him a ceremonial farewell complete with a formal invitation card, funeral band, black hearse and floral wreaths. And in Dombivli, throngs of people converged to mourn young flight attendant Roshni Songhare, 26, whose death has left her parents bereft of their main breadwinner. Around 9am, Clive's family brought his coffin to his residence at Sunteck City Avenue 1 at Ram Mandir, Goregaon West. A small ceremony unfolded in the lobby and after an hour the coffin was taken up to his house. Capt Kunder's parents Clifford and Rekha and sister Camille sat by his body. A neighbour said, "He was a kind soul. Such a tragic incident should not have befallen him." Executives from Tata Trusts, the owner of Tata Group of companies, gathered at his funeral service. They stood alongside his family and friends to pay their respects and share in their sadness. A large wreath of white flowers with his name was placed on his coffin by Tata Trusts executives. At 1pm, the hearse drove to Sewri Christian Cemetery accompanied by a funeral band. Under the grey, drizzling sky, the ceremony began at 3pm. Clive's remains arrived in a white-silver casket with white rose wreaths and bouquets of red roses. Lifelong friends Stephie and Raya spoke of his selflessness and his loyalty to his family. "Let us take a moment to gather our anger, sorrow, frustration, but mainly, our pride in Clive. He has not died, he is only flying higher." Then, like a mantra against despair, they intoned Walt Whitman's 'O Captain! My Captain!' Next came Arun Balachandran, who knew Clive as a schoolmate he bumped into at Kalina bus stop. "We used to play football together," he recalled. Pastors of UBM Church Kurla and Ambernath followed with the remainder of John 11:30-44, reminding the mourners that even Jesus knew the sting of sorrow. The choir struck up Horatio Spafford's 'It Is Well with My Soul' accompanied by guitars and violins. In Dombivli, flight attendant Roshni Songhare was cremated in Dutt Nagar. At 9.30am, the coffin reached her house in Rajaji Path where her wailing mother Rajashree waited in vain to see her one last time. Since the body was damaged and packed in a coffin, the family was instructed not to open it. The last rites were performed the same way. Senior Air India officials were present including Saurabh Agrawal, executive director and group CFO of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd, and Ju Li NG, divisional vice president and head of cabin crew of Air India. Mourners including Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh More watched as Roshni's father lit the pyre. Meanwhile, Badlapur cabin crew Deepak Pathak has not yet been identified. His brother-in-law and sisters are still waiting in Ahmedabad.
India Gazette
20 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"Young aviator full of promise": Air India pays tribute to First Officer Clive Kunder killed in crash
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): Expressing grief, Air India paid heartfelt tribute to First Officer Clive Kunder, who lost his life in tragic air crash resulting in loss of 241 lives on board Air India-171 flight in Ahmedabad on June 12. In a post on X, Air India wrote, 'With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder - a young aviator full of promise, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family. Clive's quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him the admiration of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.' 'At his prayer and funeral service, senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India stood beside his family, friends, and loved ones - to honour his memory, share in their grief, and offer strength during this incredibly difficult time,' airline added. Air India expressed condolences to Clive's family. 'In this moment of profound loss, we stand with you - in remembrance, in sorrow, and in solidarity.' Earlier on June 12, the day of the accident, Actor Vikrant Massey offered condolences and said that Kunder was his 'family friend.' On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay the accident, an inquiry into the accident is underway, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordering enhanced safety checks on Air India's 787-8/9 Dreamliner fleet and the Tata group, the owner of Air India, along with the airline company has announced a total of Rs 1.25 crore compensation to the families of the victims. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Air India's heartfelt tribute to pilot Clive Kunder: ‘A young aviator full of promise'
Air India shared a heartfelt tribute to pilot Clive Kunder, whose funeral and final rites were held in Mumbai on Thursday. Captain Clive Kunder lost his life in the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12. In a post on X, the airline said, 'With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder - a young aviator full of promise, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family. Clive's quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him the admiration of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.' Also Read: Pilot Sumeet Sabharwal's father breaks down as he pays emotional tribute to son lost in Air India crash. Video Air India stated, 'At his prayer and funeral service, senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India stood beside his family, friends, and loved ones - to honour his memory, share in their grief, and offer strength during this incredibly difficult time. You will be remembered. You will be missed.' The airline also extended their condolences to Clive's family and stated that his legacy would always remain with them. The mortal remains of first officer and co-pilot Clive Kunder were brought to Mumbai on Thursday. Captain Kunder's remains were then transported to his family in Goregaon West, where they carried out the last rites. Also Read: Air India crash: The crew of the Dreamliner Kunder's co-pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's funeral was also carried out in Mumbai two days ago. Kunder was among the 12 cabin crew members on board AI flight 171 when it crashed in Ahmedabad. The London-bound flight was carrying 242 passengers as it crashed moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Only one passenger from the flight survived. While Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience, Kundar 1,100 hours, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated.
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
'You will be remembered': Air India, hundreds of people bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder killed in crash
Air India, along with scores of people, bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder — co-pilot of the ill-fated flight that crashed in Ahmedabad last week — whose last rites were conducted today in Mumbai. The Tata Group-owned airline described Kunder as a "valued colleague," and wrote on social media: 'With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder — a young aviator full of promise, a valued colleague, and a deeply cherished member of the Air India family. Clive's quiet dedication, grace, and passion for flying earned him the admiration of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. At his prayer and funeral service, senior leaders from Tata Group and Air India stood beside his family, friends, and loved ones — to honour his memory, share in their grief, and offer strength during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to Clive's family. In this moment of profound loss, we stand with you — in remembrance, in sorrow, and in solidarity. Clive's spirit, warmth, and legacy will always remain a part of Air India. You will be remembered. You will be missed.' The last rites of Kunder were held at Sewri Christian Cemetery in the afternoon, hours after his mortal remains were brought from Ahmedabad. Tearful mourners held photographs of the late pilot as they gathered to bid him a final farewell, a week after his tragic death in the crash. Earlier in the day, the casket bearing his mortal remains arrived at Mumbai airport and was brought to his home at Suntek City on Ram Mandir Road in Goregaon (West) by his family. Friends, relatives, and local residents assembled at his residence to offer their respects and later joined the funeral procession. Kunder had been living in Mumbai with his aging parents and younger sister. His body was kept at the family home until 1 p.m. before being taken to the cemetery for the final rites. The London-bound Air India flight AI-171, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed on June 12, resulting in the deaths of all but one on board, along with 29 people on the ground. The aircraft plunged into a medical hostel complex in a densely populated area of Gujarat. The ill-fated flight was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Kunder as his co-pilot. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Sabharwal had logged 8,200 hours of flying experience, while Kunder had 1,100 hours. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:39 p.m. Shortly after take-off, Captain Sabharwal issued a 'Mayday' distress call — signaling a full emergency — to Air Traffic Control in Ahmedabad. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into the medical facility just outside the airport premises. Captain Sabharwal, who was also a Mumbai resident, was laid to rest on Tuesday. (With inputs from news agency PTI
