Renowned Urdu Writer Salam Bin Razzaq Passes Away at 83
Shaikh Abdussalam Abdurrazzaq, the renowned Urdu litterateur and academician, popularly known by his pseudonym Salam Bin Razzaq, passed away at his residence in Navi Mumbai.
Razzaq, aged 83, left behind a rich literary legacy. He was the recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu literature in 2004 for his acclaimed short story collection, 'Shikasta Buton Ke Darmiyan'.
Razzaq rose to prominence in the 1970s when Urdu fiction was declining in popularity. Over four dozen of his stories were broadcast on All India Radio, and more than a dozen were included in the syllabi of schools, colleges, and universities.
Throughout his six-decade literary career, Razzaq was honored with accolades like the Sahitya Akademi Award, Ghalib Award, Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Akademi Award, and many more.
Filmmaker Sangeeth Sivan Passes Away At 61
Renowned filmmaker from Kerala Sangeeth Sivan passed away at the age of 61. He had films like 'Vyooham,' 'Daddy,' 'Gandharvam,' and the 'Yodha'. Apart from this, he also made 10 Hindi movies like 'Kya Kool Hai Hum' and 'Apna Sapna Money Money'.
Although Sangeeth Sivan's first directorial venture was the Bollywood film Raakh (1989) as an executive producer, he chose to make his directorial debut in Malayalam with Vyooham (1990), a thriller starring Raghuvaran and Urvashi, loosely inspired by Lethal Weapon. However, it was his second film, the 1992 release Yodha, that cemented his name in Malayalam cinema as a director with a unique flair for humor and memorable performances.
May 07, 2024
Gurugram Administration Ropes in Yuzvendra Chahal to Boost Voter Turnout
As the Lok Sabha elections in Gurugram, scheduled for May 25, draw near, the district administration has taken a unique approach to encourage voter participation. In a bid to attract the attention of the electorate, particularly the youth, the authorities have roped in India cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, as well as popular singers MD Desi Rockstar and Naveen Punia, as brand ambassadors.
Yuzvendra Chahal, the ace leg-spinner currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will soon be making an appeal to the voters of Gurugram to actively participate in the polling process. Hitesh Kumar Meena, ADC and nodal officer for the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, highlighted the large number of young voters in the district, many of whom are fans of Chahal.
Frank Shrontz, Former Boeing CEO, Dies at 92
Frank Shrontz, who led Boeing as its Chief Executive Officer for a decade from 1986 to 1996, passed away at the age of 92.
During his tenure at Boeing, Shrontz oversaw an era of great innovation and growth for the aviation giant. Though he was not an engineer by training, he encouraged the development of new aircraft like the breakthrough Boeing 777 long-range jet and upgrades to the company's famous 747 jumbo jet and 737 models.
May 06, 2024
Titanic, Lord of the Rings actor Bernard Hill Passes Away at 79
The entertainment industry mourned the loss of Bernard Hill, the esteemed British actor whose remarkable talent graced the silver screen in some of the most iconic films of our time. At the age of 79, the Manchester-born thespian has taken his final bow, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of actors.
Hill's remarkable career spanned decades, and his versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition between various genres, from gritty dramas to epic fantasies. He first gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Yosser Hughes in the acclaimed BBC TV drama 'Boys from the Blackstuff.' His depiction of a proud yet desperate man grappling with unemployment in 1980s Liverpool resonated deeply with audiences, showcasing his exceptional acting prowess.
UNICEF India Welcomes Kareena as National Ambassador
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan was appointed as the National Ambassador for UNICEF India. This prestigious role came as a recognition of her long-standing association with the organization since 2014, where she has served as a Celebrity Advocate.
Alongside Kareena's appointment, UNICEF India also introduced its first-ever Youth Advocates, a group of four remarkable individuals who will serve as peer leaders and champions for crucial issues affecting children and young people.
Kareena Kapoor Khan's association with UNICEF India has been a testament to her dedication to children's rights and welfare. As a Celebrity Advocate, she has lent her voice to various campaigns, raising awareness about issues such as education, nutrition, and child protection.
May 03, 2024
Paul Auster, Author of 'New York Trilogy', Dies
Paul Auster, the prolific American novelist behind the acclaimed 'New York Trilogy', passed away. He was 77.
Auster works include the series "The New York Trilogy" (1987), comprised of "City of Glass" (1985), "Ghosts" (1986) and "The Locked Room" (1986). The trilogy explored various philosophical themes through a postmodern lens of detective and mystery fiction.
The author's longest and most ambitious work of fiction was 4 3 2 1, published in 2017 and a Booker finalist. The 800-plus page novel is a tale of quadraphonic realism in the post-World War II era, the parallel journeys of Archibald Isaac Ferguson from summer camp and high school baseball to student life in New York and Paris during the mass protests of the late 1960s.
Auster also penned the screenplays for "Smoke" (1995), "Blue in the Face" (1995), "Lulu on the Bridge" (1998) and "The Inner Life of Martin Frost" (2007), directing the latter two and co-directing "Blue in the Face" with Wayne Wang.
Playback Singer Uma Ramanan Bids Adieu
Renowned playback singer Uma Ramanan, who predominantly sang in Tamil, passed away at the age of 72 in Chennai. The veteran singer, known for her melodious voice and extensive repertoire, has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry.
Uma Ramanan was a trained classical singer and appeared in more than 6,000 concerts over a span of 35 years. Her breakthrough came with the song "Poongathave Thalthiravai" from the film "Nizhalgal," which propelled her to fame.
May 02, 2024
Pratima Singh (IRS) Appointed as Director in DPIIT
Pratima Singh, a 2009-batch IRS officer, was appointed as Director of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Her appointment, effective for a five-year term or until further notice, falls under the Central Staffing Scheme as per the DoPT order.
The DPIIT is a central government department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India.