Cruel twist of fate: Wings clipped for these stewards

Cabin crews fledgling career cut short in Saturdays air crash

Speaking to Deccan Herald, after completing the formalities to claim the body of Yugantar Rana, one of the cabin crew members who was killed when IX-812 Boeing 737-800 that crashed into the valley off the runway at Mangalore airport on Saturday, he said, “He was a loving son and used to be in regular touch with his family.

Family members including his sister Bhavana Rana, younger brother Rupantar and brother-in-law, two friends are in Mangalore to claim the body. Two of our relatives will also join us from Bangalore.”

The body was cremated at Nandigudde on Thursday evening. “We will collect the ash and leave for our native on Saturday. Yugantar’s mother is in a state of shock and it will take some time for her to come to terms with his loss.”

The 28-year-old steward’s fledgling career was cut short when the ill-fated aircraft crashed at Mangalore airport on Saturday, killing 158 people. Yugantar’s brother Rupantar was in Mangalore to identify the body on Sunday. Since he could not identify the body, the family decided to go for DNA test through which they could identify his body.

The family initially heard about the plane crash from television news.  “Even though the news reports stated that a majority of people in the plane were feared killed, we were praying for Yugantar. Later, his office gave the news about his death,” said a friend. It is said that Yugantar had spoken to his mother before boarding the flight in Dubai.

Yugantar was born on February 23, 1982, at Kalimpong, Darjeeling. He joined Air India Charters Limited as airline attendant as a trainee on August 5, 2008. On successful completion of training, he was engaged on fixed-term contract basis for a period of five years from January 1, 2009.

Another crew member

The body of Mohammed Ali from Bhopal (25), flight steward was flown to Bhopal on Thursday. The family of Ali lives in Bhopal. His father Syed Iftiquar Ali is a retired bank executive.

Only few days ago, he had visited Bhopal. His father and other family members were in New Delhi when the news of air disaster came in. After the formalities at SCS Hospital in Mangalore, the body was taken to Zeenath Bhaksh Jumma Masjid in Bunder for purification.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Central Muslim Committee’s Ashraf said, “After the purification and offering of namaz, it was flown to Bhopal. The body was accompanied by his family members including father and brother.” Ali was born on November 3, 1984 at Bhopal. He joined Air India Charters Limited as airline attendant as a trainee on August 5, 2008.  On successful completion of training, he was engaged on fixed-term contract basis for a period of five years from January 1, 2009.