Leaders, luminaries and celebrities who bid us goodbye in 2024

Ustad Rashid Khan: Ustad Rashid Khan, music maestro and Hindustan classical singer died at the age of 55 on January 9. He was known for his jugalbandis and music genres such as khayal and thumri. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan.

Munawar Rana: Munawar Rana, Urdu poet died on January 14 at the age of 72. Rana who was born in Rae Bareli in UP wrote in Urdu and Awadhi but spent most of his life in Kolkata. He wn Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014.

Fali S. Nariman: Fali S. Nariman, jurist and a senior advocate at the Supreme court died on February 21. He was 95. He was Bar Association President from 1991 to 2010. He was additional solicitor general of India from 1972 to 1975. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan and also awarded Gruber Prize for Justice in 2002. He was internationally recognised jurist on International Arbitration.

Pankaj Udhas: Pankaj Udhas, a renowned ghazal singer on February 26 after prolonged illness. He was 72. Several of his renditions proved tear-jerkers. He was conferred with Padma Shri in 2006.

Ameen Sayani: Ameen Sayani, noted radio announcer who is largely credited with the golden era of Radio passed away in February 29 at the age of 90. The radio maestro held a remarkable record for hosting, comparing or providing voiceovers for over 54,000 radio programs. His fame skyrocketed with his Binaca Geetmala, a 30 minute program in 1952.

Sushil Kumar Modi: Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar died on May 13 due to cancer at the age of 72. A widely respected leader of the BJP, he led a Spartan life and played a key role in fostering ties with Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United in the state.

Ramoji Rao: Ramoji Rao, renowned business tycoon and founder of the Ramoji Group passed away at the age of 87 on June 8. He built the iconic Ramoji Film City in the outskirts of Hyderabad, presided over Eenaadu media Group and expanded businesses embracing hospitality, food, agriculture and retail sectors.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya: Buddhadeb Bhattacharya Marxist leader and former chief minister (2000 to 2011) of West Bengal died on August 8. He was 7th CM of the State whose political career spanned over five decades. He was the second CM to head the world's longest lasting democratically elected Communist government.

Natwar Singh: Natwar Singh, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader died at the age of 93 on August 10. He began his career in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1953. He joined politics in the early 1980s and served as Union Minister of State for Steel, Mines, Coal, and Agriculture under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Author of several books, he received Padma Bhushan in 1984.

Sitaram Yechury: Sitaram Yechury, veteran leader of the CPI(M) and a former Rajya Sabha member died on September 12. He was 72. He was general secretary of the CPI(M) and a member of the party’s politburo for several terms.

Ratan Tata: Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata Sons and former chairman of the Tata Group passed away on October 9 after brief illness in Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. Under his stewardship of the Group, Tatas acquired iconic brands like Corus, Tetley and Jaguar and Landrover. He was conferred with Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

S. M. Krishna: S. M. Krishna, chief minister of Karnataka (1999-2004), Governor of Maharashtra (2004-2008), Minister for External Affairs (2009-2012) died on October 28 at the age of 92. A Fulbright scholar, Krishna put Bengaluru on the global map as go-to destination for IT industry and business. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2023.

Rohit Bal: Rohit Bal, celebrated fashion designer died of a heart attack on November 1 at the age of 63. Known for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern styles, Bal shaped the Indian fashion industry. His designs, featuring detailed embroidery and rich fabrics, were worn by Bollywood stars and international celebrities, making him a prominent name in the fashion world.

Sharda Sinha: Sharda Sinha, regarded as the "Kokila of Bihar" and "Begum Akhtar of Mithila", India’s highly celebrated folk singer, passed away on November 5 owing to cancer-related complications. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018.

V. T. Rajashekhar: V. T. Rajashekhar, Dalit activist and editor of ‘Dalit Voice’, died on November 20 at Mangalore. Prior to starting ‘Dalit Voice’, he worked for Indian Express for 25 years.

Shashi Ruia: Shashikant Ruia, noted industrialist and co-founder of Essar Group, died on November 26 at the age of 81. Ruia established Essar in 1969 with his brother Ravi; initially focused on infrastructure building. Essar later diversified into energy, steel, and telecom sectors. Apart from his business ventures, Ruia was also known for his philanthropic work.

Zakir Hussain: Zakir Hussain, Tabla maestro and global music icon died on December 15 at the age of 73. Known for redefining Indian classical music, Hussain earned universal acclaim for effortlessly blending traditional tabla rhythms with global genres. A four-time Grammy Award winner, he made significant contributions as a composer, music producer, actor and educator.

Om Prakash Chautala: Om Prakash Chautala, chief minister of Haryana for five terms, died on December 20 at the age of 89. He was the oldest prisoner of the Tihar jail of Delhi at the age of 89 after his sentencing in 2022. When he became CM for the first time, he was 7th CM of Haryana. He founded the Indian National Lok Dal, a splinter of Janata Dal. He was convicted for corruption in teachers' recruitment and sentenced for a fouryear jail term.

Shyam Benegal: Shyam Benegal, noted film director, screen writer and documentary filmmaker died on December 23 at the age of 90. He was known as the founder of parallel cinema. One of the greatest filmmaker post 1970s, he was conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Vasudevan Nair: MT Vasudevan Nair, Malayalam author, screenplay writer and film director died on December 25 at the aged of 91 in Kozhikode. Hisfirst major novel Naalukettu (The Legacy) was written at the age of 23. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Dr. Manmohan Singh: Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s prime Minister and the main architect of modern liberalised economy died on December 26 at the age of 92. He held the reins of finance minister between 1991 and 1996 and was appointed the prime minister for two terms by the Congress party between 2004 and 2104. One who was educated at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities and worked at the World Bank, Manmohan Singh even as liberalised the economy, also ensured for equitable growth by conceiving Mahatma Gandhi National rural employment Guarantee Scheme, Right to Information, Right to Free and Compulsory Education and Food Safety Act. He was born in 1932 in Gah village of Jhelum district in Punjab which eventually became part of Pakistan.

— NT Bureau