General Awareness

PERSONS IN NEWS - September 2021

Sep 2021

Dec 22, 2025

Former Maharashtra Minister Shalinitai Patil Passes Away at 94

Shalinitai Patil, a veteran politician and former Maharashtra minister, died at the age of 94. She was the wife of former Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil and served in various Congress governments during the 1980s. Patil rose from a Satara district council member to president of the party’s women’s wing, and she represented Sangli in the Lok Sabha as well as Koregaon in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Her long political journey reflected a steadfast commitment to public service and social work.

Shalinitai Patil died at 94
Wife of former Maharashtra CM Vasantdada Patil
Held ministerial posts in 1980s Congress governments
Represented Sangli in Lok Sabha; Koregaon MLA
Led Congress women's wing

Yatin Oza Elected President of Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association

Senior Advocate Yatin Oza was elected president of the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) for the 19th time, continuing a long leadership stint. He first became president in 1994 at age 35. The December 2025 election included five candidates. Oza has served as vice president six times and secretary once. The GHCAA coordinates the activities of Gujarat’s high court lawyers and represents their interests in professional matters and advocacy initiatives.

Yatin Oza elected GHCAA president for 19th term
First presidency in 1994 at age 35
Five candidates in the 2025 election
Oza previously served as VP six times and secretary
GHCAA coordinates Gujarat’s high court lawyers

Dec 19, 2025

Sculptor Ram Sutar passes away at age 100

Renowned Indian sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, creator of the Statue of Unity, died on 17 December 2025 at his residence. He was 100 years old. Born on 19 February 1925 in Gondur village, Dhule district, Maharashtra, Sutar studied at JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, where he earned a Gold Medal. His works include Gandhi and Shivaji statues in Parliament premises and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which commemorates Sardar Patel. He received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016, with Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar awarded recently. His passing marks the loss of a master sculptor whose works defined Indian public art.

Born 19 February 1925 in Gondur, Maharashtra
Gold Medal from JJ School of Art and Architecture
Notable works: Gandhi statue, Shivaji statue, Statue of Unity
Padma Shri (1999) and Padma Bhushan (2016)
Died 17 December 2025 at age 100

Dec 18, 2025

Pulitzer winner Peter Arnett dies at 91

Peter Arnett, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for frontline reporting from Vietnam to Iraq, has died at age 91 in Newport Beach, California. He received the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for Vietnam War coverage with The Associated Press. Arnett’s career spanned decades and wars, earning recognition for conveying eyewitness accounts from the battlefield. His passing marks the end of an era in conflict journalism, noted by colleagues and readers worldwide. Family statements indicate he had been battling health issues related to old age, with his death mourned by the journalism community.

Peter Arnett dies at age 91 in Newport Beach.
Won 1966 Pulitzer for Vietnam War reporting with AP.
Career covered Vietnam and Gulf/Iraq wars.
Described as a pioneering conflict journalist.

Dec 16, 2025

Sai Jadhav Becomes First Woman Officer to Pass Out from IMA

Sai Jadhav, 23, has become the first woman officer to pass out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, ending a 93-year wait for female cadets. Her commissioning as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army marks a historic milestone in gender inclusion within India’s defence services. The achievement aligns with broader reforms to diversify leadership in the armed forces. Jadhav’s success is celebrated as a breakthrough that could influence future training and recruitment policies across defence institutions.

Sai Jadhav becomes first woman to graduate from IMA (Dehradun).
Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army.
Ends 93-year gap for female IMA cadets.
Signals broader gender integration in defence services.

Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Elected First Woman President of Press Club of India

Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty has been elected as the first woman president of the Press Club of India. Afzal Imam was chosen as secretary general, and Jatin Gandhi as vice-president. Aditi Rajput (Treasurer) and P R Sunil (Joint Secretary) were elected unopposed. The new managing committee includes prominent journalists from across the country. The election marks a historic milestone for gender representation in Indian media leadership and aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen industry standards and professional collaboration in journalism.

Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty elected first female president.
Afzal Imam named secretary general; Jatin Gandhi as VP.
Aditi Rajput and P R Sunil elected treasurer and joint secretary.
Board includes diverse senior journalists.

Dec 15, 2025

BJP appoints Nitin Nabin as National Executive President

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed senior Bihar leader Nitin Nabin as its National Executive President. The move follows his role in expanding BJP influence in Chhattisgarh, where the party regained power in 2023 after defeating Congress. Nabin previously served as state in‑charge for the 2023 Assembly elections and has held leadership roles across several states. The appointment is expected to bolster organizational strength and strategic planning ahead of elections, with Nabin reporting to the party’s central leadership and coordinating election campaigns.

Nitin Nabin named BJP National Executive President
Background: Bihar leadership; key role in Chhattisgarh 2023

Meta India appoints Aman Jain as head of Public Policy

Meta India announced the appointment of Aman Jain as the new head of Public Policy. He will join in early 2026 and report to Simon Milner, Vice President of Policy, Asia Pacific. Jain will be a member of Meta’s India leadership team. He brings over twenty years of public policy and strategy experience, including senior roles at Google India and Amazon. He previously served as Director of Public Policy at Amazon and has worked with the Government of India and international organisations. The appointment signals Meta’s emphasis on policy engagement and regulatory issues in India.

Aman Jain to join Meta India in early 2026
Reports to Simon Milner, VP Policy, APAC
Background: Google India, Amazon, Government of India
Role includes policy strategy and engagement in India
Part of India leadership team

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