Family, friends and journalists paid tribute to Independent’s late world affairs editor at St Bride’s Church in London’s Fleet Street
Sengupta died suddenly at home last year aged 68. Tributes came from journalists, military generals and MPs, including foreign secretary David Lammy.
Geordie Greig, The Independent’s editor-in-chief, had known Sengupta for more than 40 years and described his fearlessness in reporting in conflict zones around the world, including Syria, Libya, Syria, Turkey, Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti and Sri Lanka.
“A fearless observer and questioner with a gregarious and chucklesome presence, he excelled as a raconteur as well as a war correspondent who eyed up and then took calculated risks. Always trying to bring clarity to areas of confusion, darkness, and danger.”
Greig recounted stories of Sengupta’s charm and his determination to always speak to people on the ground to find out what was really going on.
Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent for The Sunday Times also shared her tribute, describing his kindness and humour as she covered the darkest of news events in the most dangerous of circumstances.
As part of the service, a collection was taken for the Friends of Aschiana, which supports a school for children in Afghanistan.
