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PERSONS IN NEWS - January 2019

Jan 2019

Sep 25, 2023

National Award-Winning Malayalam Filmmaker K. G. George Dies

Veteran Malayalam filmmaker and national award winner K. G. George died. He was 78.
He received the National Award for best feature film 'Swapnaadanam' (1976) and had also bagged nine state film awards since he started his film career in 1970.
'Ulkaddal' (1979), 'Onappudava' (1978), 'Yavanika' (1982) and 'Adaminte Variyellu' (1984) are some of the best directorial works of the award winning director who was in 2015 selected for the J C Daniel Award—the Kerala government's highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema.
'Panchavadi Palam' directed by George in 1984 is considered one of the best political satire films in Malayalam cinema.

Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano Passes Away

Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, a onetime communist who helped to steer his country through a debt crisis in 2011, passed away at the age of 98.
The Italian presidency is usually mostly ceremonial, but Napolitano used his powers in late 2011 to stave off crisis by naming the former European Commission technocrat Mario Monti to lead a government following the resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in a dispute over spending cuts.
Two years later, he broke another impasse when he installed a grand coalition under centre-left politician Enrico Letta after an inconclusive parliamentary election.
Napolitano became President in 2006 and was elected for an unprecedented second seven-year term in 2013. He stepped down in 2015, citing his age.

Sep 23, 2023

IAF Plans for Six more 'Netra' Early Warning Aircraft

The Air Force is planning to induct more of the 'Netra' early warning and control aircraft to its fleet, in a show of confidence in the indigenous system that demonstrated its capabilities to track enemy aircraft and direct quick responses during the Balakot operations in 2019.
As per reports, six additional aircraft are being planned to be acquired by the Air Force as part of a $1 billion plan to add force multipliers in the Air Force. The Netra system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which is also working on a next generation Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS India) programme.

Sep 22, 2023

Akhil Mishra, '3 Idiots' Fame Actor, Passes Away

Actor Akhil Mishra, best known for his role in 3 Idiots, died. He was 67.
Akhil Mishra played the librarian, Dubey, in 3 Idiots and had some comical scenes in the film. He has also been part of films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Well Done Abba, Calcutta Mail and Shah Rukh Khan's Don. On television, he has been part of shows like Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se, Uttaran, Pardes Mein Mila Koi Apna and Shrimaan Shrimati among others.

Bharatanatyam Exponent Saroja Vaidyanathan Dies

Bharatanatyam dancer Saroja Vaidyanathan died, after battling cancer, at the age of 86.
The classical dancer was conferred the Padma Shri in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2013. Vaidyanathan was known for her extensive contribution to Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music in the form of 10 full-length ballets and nearly 2,000 choreographies.
Vaidyanathan also wrote books, including 'The Science of Bharatanatyam and The Classical Dances of India', 'Bharatanatyam– An In-Depth Study'.

Sep 18, 2023

Karachi's Erica Robin First Miss Universe Pakistan 2023

Erica Robin, a model from Karachi was crowned 'Miss Universe Pakistan 2023', becoming the first-ever woman from the country to win the title. Four other models from different parts of the country participated in the beauty pageant, including Hira Inam from Lahore, Jessical Wilson from Rawalpindi, Pakistani-American Malika Alvi from Pennsylvania, and Sabrina Wasim. Jessica Wilson, a cyber security engineer was named first runner-up, while Hira Inam, Malyka Alvi and Sabrina Wasim were the rest of the finalists.
Robin will be the official representative of Pakistan at the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in El Salvador later this year. Pakistan will be sending five models to compete in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant.

Gita Mehta, Author and Naveen Patnaik's Sister Passes Away

Eminent writer, journalist, and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's elder sister Gita Mehta passed away at the age of 80.
An eminent author, documentary filmmaker, and journalist, Gita Mehta was the elder sister of Naveen Patnaik and businessman Prem Patnaik.
In 1979, Gita wrote her first book 'Karma Cola', a collection of essays on Indian spirituality and the perception of the Western world about it.
In 1989, she wrote her first novel 'Raj' where she discussed India's colourful history and culture against the backdrop of the Indian colonial past. 'Snakes And Ladder' written by Gita is among the most seminal work.
In January 2019, the government of India awarded her Padma Shri in the field of literature and education, which she declined saying it may be misconstrued due to the timing of the award as it had come just before the general election.

Sep 15, 2023

Actor Rio Kapadia Passes Away

In an unfortunate development, renowned actor Rio Kapadia, who has worked in movies including Chak De India, Dil Chahta Hai and Happy New Year among others passed away. He was 66.
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Kapadia was also a model and acted in several hit TV shows.
In 2013, he earned accolades for his portrayal of King Gandhar in the epic serial 'Mahabharat'.

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