KOZHIKODE: The body of Flight Lt S Achudev, who was killed in a Sukhoi fighter jet crash near Assam-Arunachal border on May 23, was cremated with full military honours at his ancestral home on Saturday. Officers from the Indian Air Force, friends and relatives paid rich tributes to the officer.
Achudev’s friends remembered him as a bright kid, clear in his thoughts and determined in his goal. “He had set his goal and was better equipped than all of us,” said his classmate from Loyola School, Thiruvanathapuram. At the age of 12, Achudev joined the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College at Dehradun, aiming to chase his dream of joining the Indian Air Force.
Achudev’s relatives and friends were inconsolable as they paid last respects to him. As many as 21 officers from the Air Force Station in Coimbatore attended the funeral. “He was the best sportsman of our batch, he excelled in all sports, especially hockey,” said Captain Nithin S, Achudev’s batch mate from Pune.
Achudev was a hardworking officer and a helpful friend, he said. He was one of the finest pilots produced by the National Defence Academy, Pune.“Anyone who was close to Achudev will tell you, his first love was flying. He was a dedicated officer and it is a big loss to all of us,” said Flight Lt Sanjay Ratan.