New Delhi: From business tycoon Ratan Tata to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India lost many of its beloved in 2024. The demise of the influential figures across various fields left behind a void in their respective industries worldwide. These notable people may have left for their heavenly abode, but their legacy continues to live on for generations to come. As we head towards a new year, here’s recollecting how and whom India lost in 2024:
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
After suffering from age-related complications, Former Prime Minister and noted economist Manmohan Singh passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on December 26. His late rites were performed with full state honours at New Delhi’s Nigambod Ghat. The security forces gave a salute of three volleys of small arms. The buglers sounded the “Last Post” as a mark of honour for the former prime minister. His funeral pyre was lit by his eldest daughter, Upinder Singh, in the presence of his family members, friends and dignitaries. President Droupadi Murmu, the supreme commander of the armed forces, led the nation in paying last respects to the scholarly leader. Singh had served the country twice as the Prime Minister under the consecutive terms of Congress-led UPA government. He is known for the transformative economic reforms of 1991, saving the country from bankruptcy, when he was India’s Finance Minister.
President Droupadi Murmu bid the final farewell by laying the wreath on the mortal remains of Dr. Manmohan Singh, during the funeral conducted with Full State Honours. She, along with other dignitaries from India and abroad, witnessed the cremation. pic.twitter.com/sQYTOHLLXW
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 28, 2024
National business icon Ratan Tata
Ratan Naval Tata, the former chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, died at the age of 86 on October 9. Tata, who is known as a ‘national icon’, ran the conglomerate for more than 20 years as the chairman. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in architecture, Tata began working in India in 1962 for the group, which was founded by his great-grandfather Jamsetji Tata. He took charge of the conglomerate from his uncle JRD Tata in 1991. He took the group to a new heights and is known launching Tata Nano, world’s cheapest car.
People have turned out on the streets here in Colaba to say one last goodbye to Ratan Tata. Tears and sadness all around. pic.twitter.com/5WZ2EzuRo9
— Tara Deshpande (@Tara_Deshpande) October 10, 2024
Wah Ustad! Zakhir Hussain
For one last time, the world said ‘Wah Ustad’ when Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at the age of 73 on December 15. He died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco. Hussain was a four-time Grammy award winner. He had also received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. Through his performances, he took the taals and beats of the tabla to the world.
#WATCH | #ZakirHussain, one of the world’s most transcendent musicians, has passed away at the age of 73. Glimpses of his performances.
(Visuals – ANI Archive) pic.twitter.com/dYwiVGfdS0
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024
The legend of fashion, Rohit Bal
Indian fashion industry lost one of its most talented designer, Rohit Bal, on November 1. The designer was suffering from a heart ailment before passing away at a hospital in Delhi at the age of 63. Born in Srinagar, Rohit Bal graduated from Delhi University’s St Stephen’s college. He then went to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in New Delhi. In 1986, he launched his own label. He went on to become one of the most prominent names in the Indian as well the international fashion industry. His creations were adorned by international celebrities like Uma Thurman, Pamela Anderson, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell. He was known for his affinity towards whites, golds and rich fabrics.
FASHION ICON ROHIT BAL💔: He was Vibrant, Colourful, Funny, Genius, Compassionate, Larger than Life, Kind and many more things! Above all A Great Human being. Bodily may not be there. But he will be eternal. I lost a friend today. अलविदा मेरे दोस्त #RohitBal! 💔💔 #Fashion #Icon pic.twitter.com/Wuo4qgNjzt
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 2, 2024
Padma Shri Awardee Organic Farmer Kamala Pujari
Kamala Pujari, a tribal woman from Odisha known for her contribution to organic farming and preserving over hundreds of indigenous varieties of paddy, passed away on July 20 while undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. She was 74. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, during whose tenure Pujari was nominated as the state planning board’s member in 2018, mourned her death. She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019 by the then President Ramnath Kovind. She was honoured with the best farmer award by the Odisha government in 2004. She also won the ‘Equator Initiative Award’ in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
Media baron Ramoji Rao
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, the head of Telugu news and entertainment network ETV and founder of Ramoji Film City, passed away at 87 in Hyderabad on June 8. He was undergoing treatment for some age-related ailments. The Padma Vibhushan awardee is recognised for being the founder of the Ramoji Group which owns the famous integrated production facility Ramoji Film City in Telangana’s capital city. He was born on November 16, 1936. Rao launched Eenadu, a leading Telugu language daily newspaper in 1974. He is also credited for backing 50 films and telefilms as a producer.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Film director S. S. Rajamouli, Composer MM Keeravani and others pay last respects to Eenadu & Ramoji Film City founder Ramoji Rao at the Film City.
(Video Source: ETV) pic.twitter.com/VHAVmmrPup
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024
Ghazal singer, Pankaj Udhas
Veteran ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away following prolonged illness at the age of 72 on February 26. Udhas got first break as a singer was for the movie ‘Kaamna’ (1972), in which he sang a tune composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lyallpuri. He gained fame with his ghazal album ‘Aahat’ in 1980. Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera was also a chartbuster of its time. His soulful Chitthi Aayee Hai from the film “Naam” remains the definitive patriotic anthem for every Indian and PIO living abroad.
We mourn the loss of Pankaj Udhas Ji, whose singing conveyed a range of emotions and whose Ghazals spoke directly to the soul. He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my various interactions with him over the years.
His departure leaves… pic.twitter.com/5xL6Y3Sv75
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2024
Former External Affairs Minister, K Natwar Singh
Former External Affairs Minister and veteran Congress leader K Natwar Singh passed away at a hospital in Gurugram near New Delhi after suffering from prolonged illness on August 11. He was 93. He was born in 1931 in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district. He was a diplomat before he joined politics. In Manmohan Singh’s government, he had served as the External Affairs Minister between 2004 and 2005. He had also served as the Union Minister of State for Steel, Mines and Coal and Agriculture in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi from 1985 to 1986. He served as Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry during 1986-89 in the Rajiv Gandhi government. In 1984, he was elected as an MP for the first time from Bharatpur.
Pained by the passing away of Shri Natwar Singh Ji. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. He was also known for his intellect as well as prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/7eIR1NHXgJ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 11, 2024
Communist leader Sitaram Yechury
General secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury passed away on September 12. He was 72. He died while undergoing treatment for acute respiratory tract infection at AIIMS, Delhi. He was admitted to the hospital on August 19 due to pneumonia chest infection and was later shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Despite being ill, he was active on social media till August 29. He was an Indian Marxist politician and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was a member of the Politburo of the CPI(M) since 1992. Previously, he was a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, West Bengal, from 2005 to 2017.
Our beloved comrade #SitaramYechury, General Secretary of CPI(M), passed away at AIIMS today.
Red Salute to Comrade Sitaram Yechury! pic.twitter.com/COrcQSuj3A
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) September 12, 2024
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\r\n\r\nMedia baron Ramoji Rao\r\n\r\nCherukuri Ramoji Rao, the head of Telugu news and entertainment network ETV and founder of Ramoji Film City, passed away at 87 in Hyderabad on June 8. He was undergoing treatment for some age-related ailments. The Padma Vibhushan awardee is recognised for being the founder of the Ramoji Group which owns the famous integrated production facility Ramoji Film City in Telangana’s capital city. He was born on November 16, 1936. Rao launched Eenadu, a leading Telugu language daily newspaper in 1974. He is also credited for backing 50 films and telefilms as a producer.\r\n