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PERSONS IN NEWS - January 2020

Jan 2020

Aug 18, 2020

Legendary Indian Classical Vocalist Pandit Jasraj Passes Away

Pandit Jasraj, one of the world's most prominent Indian classical vocalists, died of cardiac arrest in New Jersey, US. He was 90.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the maestro's death has left a deep void in the country's cultural sphere.
Born in Haryana in 1930, his musical career spanned eight decades. Many of his notable stage performances were converted into music albums. He taught music in several countries including the United States and many of his students went on to become famous musicians.
He received several national and international awards in his career. He got Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian award - in 1975; Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987 and Padma Bhushan in 1999. In the year 2000, the government of India conferred him with Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in the country.

Rakesh Asthana New BSF DG, V. S. K. Kaumudi Special Secretary (Internal Security)

Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana was appointed as the chief of the Border Security Force (BSF) and V. S. K. Kaumudi will be Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry, according to a Personnel Ministry order issued. Asthana is at present working as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
He has been appointed the Director General (DG) of Border Security Force from the date of joining the post and up to July 31, 2021, i.e. date of his superannuation.
Asthana, a 1984 batch IPS officer, is also holding additional charge of DG, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Kaumudi, a 1986 batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, is presently working as DG, Bureau of Police research and Development (BPR&D).
He has been appointed Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs up to November 30, 2022, i.e. date of his superannuation.
His batchmate from Uttar Pradesh cadre, Md Jawed Akhtar has been appointed the DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guard.

Aug 17, 2020

Former India Cricketer Chetan Chauhan Passes Away

Former Test batsman Chetan Chauhan, who shone as a gritty player against fiery pace overseas as Sunil Gavaskar's enduring opening partner in the 1970s, passed away. He was 73.
The two-time former BJP Lok Sabha MP from Amroha was Home Guard Minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet.
From 1969 to 1981, Chauhan played 40 Tests and seven ODIs. He scored 2,084 Test runs with 16 half-centuries, but never scored a century, with a best of 97. The prolific domestic batsman in a two-decade first-class career played Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra and then Delhi.
He made his Test debut in 1969, but was discarded after five Tests. He made a comeback in 1977.

Aug 15, 2020

Raghavendra P. Tiwari New Vice-chancellor of Central University of Punjab in Bathinda

Raghavendra P. Tiwari has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of Central University of Punjab (CUP), Bathinda.
At present, Tiwari is the vice-chancellor of Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, a central university at Sagar in Madhya Pradesh.
Tiwari, who replaces R. P. Kohli, is likely to join next week.
Mr. Tiwari will serve for five years or till the time he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
Tiwari will be the third vice-chancellor of the Bathinda-based university, which was set up in 2009.
Tiwari has served as dean, School of Earth Sciences and Natural Resource Management, and remained head of the department of geology at Mizoram University.

Maha Vir Chakra Awardee Air Marshal P. P. Singh Passes Away

Air Marshal PP Singh, who was decorated with the second-highest gallantry award Maha Vir Chakra during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, passed away at Command Hospital. He was 92.
Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Indian Air Force in April 1950, the veteran officer had an illustrious carrier spanning nearly 38 years. He had the privilege of serving as ADC to the first President of India, Dr. Rajender Prasad.
Subsequently, he shifted to Canberra aircraft and embarked on a career as a bomber pilot. The start of hostilities with Pakistan in 1965 saw the then Wing Commander as the Commanding Officer of No.5 Squadron (The Tuskers) based out of Agra.
He led the Tuskers on numerous successful night airstrikes into Pakistani territory, which inflicted huge damage to the Pakistan Military and Air Force assets based deep inside enemy territory as far away as Sargodha, Mianwal and Peshawar.
For his exemplary leadership and valour displayed beyond the call of duty, Wing Commander PP Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in September 1965.

S. S. Mundra New Non-executive Chairman of Indiabulls Housing

Mortgage player Indiabulls Housing Finance (IBH) former RBI deputy governor S. S. Mundra was appointed as its non-executive chairman with immediate effect.
Mundra had joined the board of IBH in 2018 as an independent director.
The company said that its executive chairman Sameer Gehlaut has taken up the position of chief executive officer of another listed firm promoted by him -- Indiabulls Ventures Ltd.
"Subhash Sheoratan Mundra, ex-deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India, who joined the Board of Indiabulls Housing Finance in 2018 as an independent director, has been appointed by the Board as non-executive chairman of the company with immediate effect.

Aug 13, 2020

Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi Passes Away

Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi died due to cardiac arrest. Tyagi was the party's general secretary and spokesperson for its Uttar Pradesh unit.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who is also party in charge for Uttar Pradesh East said Tyagi's death was a personal loss to her.
BJP leader Sambit Patra expressed shock at Tyagi's demise saying he had participated in a television debate with him minutes earlier.

Aug 12, 2020

Renowned Urdu Poet Rahat Indori Passes Away

Celebrated Urdu poet Rahat Indori, whose simple and lucid couplets attracted a huge fan folliwing in India and abroad, passed away.
The 70-year-old teacher-turned-poet, who was being treated for COVID-19, died of a heart attack at a hospital in Indore.
With a 50-year career in poetry, Indori was known for the lyrics of songs like "M Bole toh" from Munnabhai MBBS (2003), Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili from Kareeb (1998), Koi jaye to le aye from Ghatak (1996), and "Neend Churai Meri" from Ishq (1997). His lyrics were used in 11 Bollywood films.
Earlier this year, his poem "Bulati hai magar jane ka nahi" went viral on social media, rendering him a sensation among the youth. Memes using the poem's opening lines flooded social media during Valentine's Day.

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