Ustad Zakir Hussain, Manmohan Singh and Ratan Tata (From Left to Right) Ustad Zakir Hussain, Manmohan Singh and Ratan Tata (From Left to Right) As 2024 comes to an end, we recall some of the well-known faces who will not be with us as the new year begins. In the last 12 months, India has lost several individuals who played key roles in shaping the nation’s journey across various spheres, including culture, science, politics, and social welfare. This section looks back at their contributions and serves to honour their memory.
Manmohan Singh(December 26, 1932 - December 26, 2024)
Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday. He was 92.| Photo: PTI Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday. He was 92.| Photo: PTIWith his blue turban, and spectacles on, India opened its barrels for Liberalisation, Privatisation, and globalisation in 1991. Born in Gah, Punjab, undivided India, in 19432, Manmohan Singh grew up to be the pioneer of economics. He earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and later obtained a doctorate from the University of Oxford. His caliber rustled down seven budgets, whether it be the May 1957 Budget of T.T. Krishnamachari or the March 1985 Budget of V.P. Singh, finally to be churned out as Finance Minister of India under P.V. Narasimha Rao. Having held positions from Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to the Reserve Bank of India, Manmohan Singh curated multiple reforms.
He became second to Jawaharlal Nehru to have been reelected as Prime Minister of India. Presiding over a decade, he brought in Right to Education, the National Rural Guarantee Employment Act and Aadhaar. While Manmohan Singh retired on 2nd April 2024, after having served thirty-three years as member of Rajya Sabha, his final adieu only came on 26th December 2024.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair(July 15, 1933 - December 25, 2024)
no deposit real money slotsM T Vasudevan passed away at 91. Photo: X M T Vasudevan passed away at 91. Photo: XOne of India's most renowned authors and filmmakers, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, died in Kozhikode, Kerala, on December 25, 2024, at the age of 91. He was a superb storyteller, lovingly known as MT. His works had a lasting impact on Malayalam literature and film.
MT's journey began in 1958 when his debut work, Naalukettu (The Ancestral House), won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He was born in Kudallur, in the Palakkad district. During his storied career, he wrote nine novels, 19 anthologies of short stories, and numerous articles and memoirs. He received multiple national and state honors, including the coveted Jnanpith Award in 1995, for his works that explored the intricacies of human emotions and rural life, such as Asuravithu(The Demon Seed), Manju (Mist), and Kaalam (Time).
Shyam Benegal(December 14, 1934 - December 23, 2024)
Shyam Benegal passes away at 90 Photo: Shashank Parade/PTI Shyam Benegal passes away at 90 Photo: Shashank Parade/PTIShyam Benegal, a towering figure in Indian cinema and a pioneer of the Indian New Wave, passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90 in Mumbai due to chronic kidney disease. Born on December 14, 1934, in Tirumalagiri, Hyderabad, Benegal's journey into the world of cinema began early, and he quickly became known for his films that tackled social issues with authenticity and depth.
Benegal's illustrious career included directing over 30 feature films, including classics like Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), and Bhumika (1977). These films challenged the conventions of mainstream Bollywood and brought attention to the social realities of India. His work in television was equally significant, with the landmark series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), based on Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India, bringing the story of India's freedom struggle and cultural heritage into millions of homes.
Benegal was also a mentor to many prominent Indian actors, including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Om Puri, helping shape their careers and contributing to the growth of parallel cinema. His influence extended beyond the screen, as he taught at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and served as its chairman during two terms.
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Ratan Tata(December 28, 1937 - October 9fb777, 2024)
Ratan Tata
