Obituaries

Ajit Ninan, the renowned political cartoonist, passed away at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades and touched the hearts of millions. He was celebrated not only for his incisive political satire but also for his contributions to children’s literature, creating beloved characters like Detective Moochwala and his faithful dog Pooch. His fearless approach to political commentary, environmental issues, and caricatures resonated with people across generations.

Arun Kumar Sinha, the former Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), has sadly passed away at the age of 61 while under medical care at a Gurugram hospital. His distinguished career, marked by his crucial role in ensuring the security of the Prime Minister of India, stands as a testament to his immense contributions to the nation’s safety. Learn more about the legacy of this dedicated Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

Malini Rajurkar, a revered figure in the world of Hindustani classical music known for her simplicity and profound artistry, has passed away at the age of 82 in a Hyderabad hospital. She had been battling age-related ailments and leaves behind a legacy of exceptional musical contributions. Rajurkar’s mastery over the Tappa and Tarana genres, as well as her enchanting renditions of Marathi natyageete, have left an indelible mark on the classical music landscape.

Piloo Reporter, a former international umpire celebrated for his charismatic boundary signals, breathed his last on September 3 at a Thane hospital in Mumbai. His remarkable umpiring career, spanning 28 years, featured 14 Tests and 22 ODIs. Piloo, affectionately known as “PD” in the cricketing world, was 84 and had been battling cerebral contusions, enduring an extended period of illness.

Zimbabwe’s cricket fraternity mourns the loss of their beloved former captain, Heath Streak, who succumbed to a prolonged battle with colon and liver cancer at the age of 49. Born in Bulawayo, Streak made an indelible mark on the sport as a renowned fast bowler, etching his name in the annals of cricket history. He held the distinction of being Zimbabwe’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 216 wickets at an impressive average of 28.14. Additionally, his contributions extended to One Day Internationals (ODIs), where he claimed 239 wickets at an average of 29.82 while also amassing 2,943 runs at 28.29.

Jayanta Mahapatra, a distinguished figure in Indian English poetry, breathed his last at the age of 95, leaving behind a profound legacy. His literary contributions spanning over five decades have indelibly shaped the landscape of Indian English poetry. Born in Cuttack, Odisha on October 22, 1928, Mahapatra’s journey from a physics teacher to an iconic poet has left an indelible mark on the literary world.

C Radhakrishna Rao, a celebrated mathematician and statistician from India, has passed away at the age of 103. His legacy spans groundbreaking contributions to statistics and various disciplines. Notably, he was recently honored with the prestigious “International Prize in Statistics-2023,” often hailed as the statistical equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Terry Funk, the trailblazing icon of World Wrestling Entertainment and a revered member of the WWE Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 79. With a career spanning an impressive five decades from 1965 to 2017, Funk was renowned for his unyielding hardcore style, magnetic charisma, and unwavering dedication to the wrestling world. His remarkable journey was acknowledged with inductions into both the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by his lifelong friend and competitor, Dusty Rhodes, and the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021.

Dr. John Warnock, one of the co-founders of Adobe, a trailblazing software company, has passed away at 82. Together with his late partner Dr. Charles Geschke, Warnock shaped the technological landscape by establishing Adobe in 1982. Under his leadership, Adobe introduced groundbreaking software solutions that transcended various industries, leaving an indelible mark on business, design, photography, video editing, and more.

Celebrated physicist Bikash Sinha, a distinguished figure in nuclear physics and cosmology, has died at 78 due to age-related ailments. Sinha’s contributions spanned multiple domains, from high energy physics to early universe cosmology, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community. His leadership in Indian nuclear research and international collaborations cemented his legacy.

Renowned director and screenwriter Siddique Ismail, a prominent figure in the world of Malayalam cinema, has passed away at the age of 63. With an impressive filmography that includes notable works like “Friends,” “Engal Anna,” “Sadhu Miranda,” and “Bhaskar Oru Rascal,” Siddique’s contribution to the film industry remains enduring. His final directorial project, the action thriller “Big Brother,” was released in 2020, featuring acclaimed actors Mohanlal, Arbaaz Khan, Anoop Menon, and Honey Rose.

Gaddar, a legendary folk singer and prominent voice of the Telangana cultural landscape, breathed his last at the age of 72. His mesmerizing melodies and socially conscious lyrics have left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions, making his passing a significant loss for the world of music and social activism.

N Vittal, a distinguished IAS officer and recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, breathed his last in Chennai. His demise marks the end of an era, as he played a pivotal role in nurturing the roots of India’s information technology sector, laying the foundation for its remarkable growth over the past four decades.

The illustrious Marathi literary realm mourns the loss of Namdeo Dhondo Mahanor, fondly known as Na Dho Mahanor, a distinguished poet and lyricist. Mahanor’s poetic prowess graced Marathi cinema with timeless verses, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. His journey, adorned with accolades like the Padma Shri, traversed literary and political avenues, enriching Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.

Vakkom Purushothaman, a prominent political figure who served as the Kerala Assembly Speaker and held various ministerial roles, passed away at the age of 96. Beginning his political journey as a Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) activist, he later joined the Congress under the persuasion of former Chief Minister R. Shankar. Despite initial setbacks, he tasted victory in the electoral arena, becoming an influential leader in Kerala politics. After his successful stints in state elections, he also won the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency in 1984. Following his distinguished political career, he served as Lieutenant Governor in Andaman Nicobar, as well as Governor of Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Shirish Kanekar, a revered Marathi writer and columnist, breathed his last at the age of 80 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Born on June 6, 1943, in Pune, Maharashtra, he left an indelible mark in both Marathi and English language publications, contributing to renowned newspapers like Loksatta, Indian Express, Samana, and Free Press Journal. Kanekar’s engaging columns on Cinema, Cricket, and Politics won him widespread popularity. Throughout his illustrious career, he authored humorous articles, penned screenplays for Bollywood movies, and produced compelling books that showcased his literary prowess. He was a multifaceted personality who excelled in various realms of the written word, earning him well-deserved accolades and awards.

Australian cricket mourns the loss of Brian Taber, the former wicketkeeper known for his impressive Test career and contributions to the sport. Taber, who played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970, left a lasting legacy in both domestic and international cricket. He will be remembered for his exceptional skills behind the stumps and his sportsmanship that earned him the reputation as one of the “nice guys” of Australian cricket.

Kevin Mitnick, a once-infamous computer hacker who evaded authorities during a two-year manhunt in the 1990s, has died at the age of 59. After serving five years in prison for computer and wire fraud, Mitnick transformed himself into an esteemed “white hat” hacker, renowned cybersecurity consultant, and accomplished author. Despite his troubled past, Mitnick’s journey showcases a remarkable shift from being a notorious hacker to using his skills for ethical purposes and helping to secure digital systems.

Oommen Chandy, the esteemed former Chief Minister of Kerala, breathed his last at the age of 79. Recognized as a revered public figure and a prominent legislator, Chandy represented the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam district. His illustrious political career witnessed two tenures as Chief Minister, leaving a lasting impact on the state. Known for his dedication and leadership, Chandy’s contributions to Kerala’s political landscape will be remembered for years to come.

Dr Mangala Narlikar, a renowned mathematician and the wife of Dr Jayant Narlikar, founder director of Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), has sadly passed away at the age of 80. Dr Mangala Narlikar made significant contributions to pure mathematics, having worked at prestigious institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and Bombay and Pune universities. Her areas of expertise included real and complex analysis, analytic geometry, number theory, algebra, and topology.

Nikki McCray-Penson, a basketball legend known for her outstanding achievements as a player and coach, has passed away at the age of 51. Battling breast cancer since 2013, McCray-Penson’s contributions to the sport were immense. She was a two-time Olympic gold medalist, MVP of the American Basketball League (ABL), and played a pivotal role in the formation of both the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and ABL. Her impact extended beyond the court, with successful coaching tenures at South Carolina, Old Dominion, Mississippi State, and Rutgers. The basketball community mourns the loss of a remarkable talent who left an indelible mark on the game.

Namboothiri, a highly acclaimed artist known for his remarkable talent in painting and sculpture, has passed away at the age of 97 in Kottakkal, Malappuram district. His exquisite line art and copper relief works adorned the literary masterpieces of renowned Malayalam writers such as Thakazhi Shivashankara Pillai, MT Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, and SK Pottakkad. Throughout his illustrious career, Namboothiri received prestigious accolades including the Raja Ravi Varma Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director. His artistic contributions will be fondly remembered, and final respects can be paid at the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi in Thrissur and his residence in Edappal.

Former Punjab Assembly deputy speaker, Bir Devinder Singh, passed away at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. Bir Devinder, who started his political career with the All India Students’ Federation (AISSF), served as an MLA and deputy speaker of the Vidhan Sabha. He was an influential figure in Punjab politics, having been associated with multiple political parties during his career.

Cormac McCarthy, the acclaimed author known for his literary masterpieces and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, has passed away at the age of 89. His profound storytelling and unique writing style captivated readers worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Tollywood, the vibrant Telugu film industry, mourns the loss of renowned choreographer Rakesh Master, who has passed away. With his exceptional talent and innovative dance moves, Rakesh Master had left an indelible mark on the world of Indian cinema. His demise has left a void in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered as an integral part of Tollywood’s rich cultural heritage.

Silvio Berlusconi, the charismatic and controversial former Prime Minister of Italy, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his long and eventful political career, Berlusconi leaves behind a complex legacy that shaped Italian politics for decades.

Havildar Alby D’Cruz, the first recipient of the prestigious Ashoka Chakra from Kerala, has sadly passed away. His remarkable bravery and selflessness in combating terrorism will be remembered as an inspiration to the nation. Havildar D’Cruz’s demise marks the loss of a true hero, whose contributions to the nation’s security will never be forgotten.

Gitanjali Aiyar, a renowned and award-winning anchor from Doordarshan (DD), has sadly passed away. Her contribution to the field of journalism and her captivating presence on screen will be remembered as a significant part of India’s media history.

The world of theater mourns the loss of legendary actor and director Aamir Raza Hussain, whose contributions to the performing arts industry were unparalleled. Hussain’s passing leaves a void in the theater community, as his talent, passion, and artistic vision will be deeply missed.

The Malayalam film industry mourns the tragic loss of actor Kollam Sudhi, who met with a fatal car accident. Sudhi’s untimely demise has left a void in the hearts of his fans and colleagues, as they remember his contributions to the world of cinema.

Renowned Indian film actress Sulochana Latkar, known for her versatile performances, bid her final farewell at the age of 94. Latkar, who captivated audiences with her exceptional talent and charm, passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy in the Indian film industry.

Veteran actor Gufi Paintal, renowned for his portrayal of the iconic character Shakuni Mama in the epic TV series “Mahabharat,” has sadly passed away. His demise has left a void in the entertainment industry, as he was widely celebrated for his exceptional acting skills and memorable performances. Gufi Paintal’s portrayal of Shakuni Mama had made him a household name, and his contribution to Indian television will be cherished for years to come.

Ama Ata Aidoo, a renowned Ghanaian writer and feminist, has passed away at the age of 81. Known for her exceptional literary contributions and her staunch advocacy for women’s rights, Aidoo leaves behind a powerful legacy that continues to inspire generations of writers and activists.

Renowned Sanskrit scholar Ved Kumari Ghai breathed her last today, leaving a void in the world of academia and Sanskrit literature. Ghai, known for her immense contributions to the field, has left behind a legacy of knowledge and expertise that will continue to inspire future generations.

The business world mourns the loss of SP Hinduja, the Chairman of the Hinduja Group, who has passed away. Explore the remarkable life and contributions of this visionary leader and the lasting impact he leaves behind.

Tina Turner, the iconic singer known as the Queen of Rock, has passed away at the age of 83. With her powerful voice, electrifying performances, and enduring hits, Turner captivated audiences around the world. Her remarkable career spanning over six decades left an indelible mark on the music industry, making her a true legend and an inspiration to generations of artists and fans alike.

The film industry mourns the loss of veteran actor Sarath Babu, who has passed away at the age of 71. With a career spanning several decades, Sarath Babu made significant contributions to the world of cinema, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and inspiring generations of actors.

The football community mourns the loss of former AIFF Vice President, Khaleel, who has passed away at the age of 91. His significant contributions to Indian football and his unwavering dedication to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

Mexico’s football fraternity mourns the loss of a true legend as Antonio Carbajal, a revered figure in Mexican football history, has passed away at the age of 93. Known for his exceptional skills as a goalkeeper and his remarkable achievements, Carbajal leaves behind an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos died from COVID-19 complications at the age of 94. Ramos, the 12th president of the Republic of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, was said to be the driving force behind the renewed investor confidence in the country.