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PERSONS IN NEWS - August 2023

Aug 2023

Aug 13, 2024

Pakistan Singer Haniya Aslam, One-half of Music Duo Zeb-Haniya, Dies

Pakistani musician Haniya Aslam, of the band Zeb-Haniya, died. Her cousin and former band member, Zeb Bangash, confirmed the news.
Haniya was considered one of the finest Pakistani musicians. She worked with Zeb on many successful compositions as part of the 'Zeb and Haniya' band. However, she moved to Canada in 2014 to pursue a solo career and learn more about music. The duo performed in 'Coke Studio' Pakistan, and rendered a popular number, 'Chal Diye'.
She also worked as a sound designer for the 2016 Pakistani drama short film 'Lala Begum'. Haniya created music for the 2016 romantic Pakistani film 'Dobara Phir Se'. She represented Pakistan's youth music in the world, and also co-authored one of the few books written about contemporary youth music in her country.

Aug 12, 2024

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Malaysian Air Force Cooperation

The bilateral air exercise "Udara Shakti 2024" between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) concluded successfully. This exercise, hosted by the RMAF at its base in Kuantan, Malaysia, marked a significant milestone in military cooperation between the two nations.
The IAF's participation in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 was notable, with a contingent of seven Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. These advanced jets, along with their crews, returned to India on August 10, 2024, after four days of intensive joint exercises and knowledge exchange.

In a First, Deaf Woman Crowned Miss South Africa amid Controversy

A 28-year-old woman became the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa after a divisive competition. Mia Le Roux, who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was aged one, expressed her hope in her victory speech that her success will inspire those who feel excluded to pursue their "wildest dreams, just like I am." She also said that she wished to help those who were "financially excluded or differently abled".
Ms Le Roux was declared the pageant winner after finalist Chidimma Adetshina, aged 23, withdrew due to criticism regarding her Nigerian origin and allegations regarding her mother's identity. Notably, Ms Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, but the family came from Mozambique.

Former External Affairs Minister and Padma Vibhushan Awardee K. Natwar Singh Passes Away

Veteran Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh passed away at the age of 93.
Singh, a diplomat before joining politics, had served as the External Affairs Minister from 2004-05 as part of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Cabinet. He had also held multiple ministries earlier, serving as the Union Minister of State for Steel, Mines and Coal and Agriculture from 1985-86 in the Rajiv Gandhi government, and the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 1986-89.
Singh had won the elections for the first time from Bharatpur (Rajasthan) in 1984 after his switch from the Indian Foreign Services.
After joining the IFS at 22 in 1953, Singh served as India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK (1973-77) and then became India's High Commissioner to Zambia in 1977. He also served as India's Ambassador to Pakistan from 1980-82.
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, after he served as the head of the preparatory committee of the Non-Alignment Summit in New Delhi in 1983.

Aug 09, 2024

Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Tsung-Dao Lee Passes Away

Chinese-American physicist Tsung-Dao Lee, who in 1957 became the second-youngest scientist to receive a Nobel Prize, passed away at age of 97. Prof. Lee, whose work advanced the understanding of particle physics, was one of the great masters in the field.
In 1957, Prof. Lee was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics together with Chen-Ning Yang for work exploring the symmetry of subatomic particles as they interact with the force that holds atoms together. At 31, Prof. Lee was the second-youngest scientist to receive the distinction. He won many other accolades including the Albert Einstein Award in Science, the Galileo Galilei Medal and the G. Bude Medal, as well as honorary doctorates and titles from organisations around the world.

Aug 08, 2024

Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Passes Away

Former Chief Minister of Bengal and veteran Communist Party leader, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, died at the age of 80.
He served as the 7th Chief Minister of Bengal from 2000 to 2011. He had succeeded former CPI(M) senior Jyoti Basu.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was the last Left Chief Minister of the eastern state. He lost the 2011 Assembly elections to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC).
He stepped down from the CPI(M) politburo and central committee in 2015, and gave up membership of the party's state secretariat three years later.

Gandhian Shobhana Ranade Passes Away at 99

The passing of Shobhana Ranade at the age of 99 in Pune marked the end of an era in India's social reform movement. A renowned Gandhian and Padma Bhushan recipient, Ranade dedicated her life to uplifting the underprivileged, especially women and children, leaving an indelible mark on India's social landscape.
Ranade's life exemplified the core Gandhian values of simplicity, compassion, and dedication to social causes. Her approach to social work was deeply rooted in Gandhi's philosophy of uplifting the marginalized and promoting self-reliance.
Ranade is remembered as an architect of modern India, particularly for her role in building institutions of social work. Her approach to social reform was holistic, addressing various aspects of community development.

Aug 07, 2024

Dinesh Karthik, a New Ambassador for SA20 League

In a move that bridges the cricketing worlds of India and South Africa, former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has been named the brand ambassador for the SA20 League. This appointment marks a significant step in the league's efforts to expand its global reach and solidify its position in the competitive landscape of T20 cricket.
The SA20 League represents a unique cricket venture, closely tied to the Indian Premier League (IPL). It consists of six franchises, each owned by IPL team owners: MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings, Durban Super Giants, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

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