Starting from legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi to India’s first English news presenter on Doordarshan Gitanjali Aiyar, the sad demises have left deep voids. The luminaries will always be remembered for their significant contributions to the country.

Sharad Yadav

Former Union minister and veteran socialist leader, Sharad Yadav, breathed his last on January 12 at the age of 75 in Gurugram, following a prolonged illness.

Yadav, a seven-time Lok Sabha MP, represented constituencies across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during his illustrious political career. Notably, he was the first MP elected from three different states, a testament to his widespread appeal.

Having served in crucial ministerial roles during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government (1999-2004), Yadav also held the reins of the JD-(U) as its national president. His dedication to social causes mirrored his ideological inspiration drawn from Jay Prakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.

Shanti Bhushan

Shanti Bhushan, a senior advocate and former Law Minister, passed away on January 31 at 97.

Bhushan’s landmark representation of Raj Narain against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi reshaped Indian politics. Bhushan's legal prowess uncovered corrupt electoral practices, leading to Gandhi's unseating. It triggered a series of events culminating in the imposition of an Emergency in 1975.

Bhushan's tenure as Law Minister saw the introduction of the crucial 44th Constitutional Amendment, which aimed to preserve the fundamental tenets of the Indian Constitution fortifying judicial review that had been curtailed by the controversial 42nd Amendment during the Emergency days.

K Viswanath

Legendary Telugu filmmaker K Viswanath breathed his last on February 2 due to age-related ailments at 92. The Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and five-time national award winner left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Born on February 19, 1930, in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Viswanath directed over 50 films, including the acclaimed 'Sankarabharanam' (1980), which catapulted him to national fame. His versatile talent extended to acting in Tamil cinema with notable roles in films like 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini,' 'Rajapattai,' 'Lingaa,' and 'Uttama Villain.'

Viswanath’s contributions earned him several accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1992 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2016. With a career spanning four decades, Viswanath's legacy as an exceptional filmmaker and eight-time Filmfare award winner remains unparalleled.

Satish Kaushik

Noted Bollywood actor and director Satish Kaushik died at 66 on March 9, reportedly as a result of cardiac arrest shortly after celebrating Holi with his friends in Vikas Malu’s farmhouse.

The Kuber Group director Vikas Malu came under scanner after his second wife Saanvi accused her husband of poisoning him.

Satish Kaushik started his acting journey with 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' and continued with hits like 'Mr. India,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi,' and 'Aunty No. 1.' His final on-screen appearances were in 'Chhatriwali' and 'Emergency' alongside Kangana Ranaut. Not only an actor, but he also directed notable films, including the blockbuster 'Tere Naam' starring Salman Khan.

Parkash Singh Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal's towering figure, Parkash Singh Badal, an icon in Punjab's political landscape for over seven decades, breathed his last on April 25 at 95.

A quintessential leader, Badal held the office of the Chief Minister five times, marking a legacy spanning from 1970 to 2017. Though his initial term was cut short due to a coalition government, his imprint remained indelible across Punjab's political history. His tenure witnessed significant shifts, and he served as an MLA for nearly 11 terms. He became the country’s oldest chief minister – after having been the youngest in that post when in 1970 he took office for the first time.

Badal's national foray included a brief stint as Agriculture Minister in Morarji Desai's government.

SP Hinduja

Srichand Parmanand Hinduja, the eldest of the Hinduja brothers and Chairman of the Hinduja Group, breathed his last on May 17 in London at 87. Born on November 28, 1935, in Sindh, then part of British India, he was a pioneer in business.

In 1964, he made his mark by distributing 'Sangam' in Middle-East markets, earning his first million dollars. The group expanded into automotive, acquiring Ashok Leyland in 1980, and forayed into oils and lubricants by acquiring Gulf Oil International from Chevron Corp. In 1994, Hinduja ventured into banking with IndusInd Bank.

Nitesh Pandey

Veteran actor Nitesh Pandey, who was seen in the popular television series 'Anupamaa', died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 51 in the wee hours of May 24, at around 2.00 am.

Nitesh began his illustrious career in theatre in 1990. Renowned for roles in serials like 'Manzilein Apani Apani,' 'Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani,' and 'Durgesh Nandini,' he showcased his versatility. His performance in 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' garnered widespread acclaim.

Nitesh ventured into cinema with appearances in 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Badhaai Do.' Beyond acting, he established Dream Castle Productions, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His roles in 'Anupamaa' and 'Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara' continued to captivate audiences.

Micky Jagtiani

Mukesh Jagtiani aka Micky, the billionaire businessman who had founded Dubai-based retail company Landmark Group, died at the age of 70 years on May 26.

Jagtiani ranked 511 on the list of world’s billionaires in 2023. He died of old age-related complications. He had an inspirational success story where he went from driving a taxi to building a multi-crore-rupees business empire. His last reported net worth was nearly Rs 43,000 crore ($5.2 billion).

Starting from humble beginnings with a single store in Bahrain in 1973, Jagtiani was the driving force in shaping the conglomerate’s extraordinary journey.

Jagtiani was a well-known businessman in the UAE who demonstrated to the world how to rise from rags to riches. He was born in Kuwait in 1952.

Gufi Paintal

Popular actor Gufi Paintal, best known for his role 'Shakuni mama' in the epic TV serial ‘Mahabharat’, died on June 5 due to old age-related complications. He was 79 years of age.

Paintal’s acting credits include 1980s Hindi films such as ‘Suhaag’, ‘Dillagi’, and TV shows namely ‘CID’ and ‘Hello Inspector’. However, his acting as Shakuni Mama in BR Chopra's famous soap opera made him a household name.

Initially trained as an engineer, Gufi joined the Indian Army during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. During his days on the border, a play of Ramleela was staged by his co-soldiers in which he performed the role of Sita, from where began Gufi’s career in acting.

Gitanjali Aiyar

Gitanjali Aiyar, a pioneering figure in Indian English news presenting, passed away on June 7. Aiyar, in her mid-70s, collapsed at her residence after returning from a walk, succumbing to complications from Parkinson's disease, which she had been battling.

Starting her career at Doordarshan in 1971 after graduating from Kolkata's Loreto College, Aiyar earned recognition, securing four Best Anchor awards and the prestigious Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award in 1989. After drawing the curtain on her career as a newsreader, Aiyar also worked for the Taj and Oberoi hotel groups, as well as CII and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Beyond news anchoring, she featured prominently in print ads and starred in the TV drama 'Khandaan'. She got a diploma from the National School of Drama in New Delhi.

N Vittal

N Vittal, a distinguished IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre (1960 batch), breathed his last on August 4 in Chennai.

During his tenure as the Department of Electronics Secretary (1990-1996), he laid the groundwork for IT growth, introducing policies supporting software development and establishing Software Technology Parks. As the Telecom Commission Chairman, he catalyzed telecom sector liberalisation and was instrumental in crafting the National Telecom Policy 1994. He was instrumental in the formation of Software Technology Parks in India (STPI).

Bindeshwar Pathak

Bindeshwar Pathak, the revered founder of Sulabh International and a relentless advocate against manual scavenging, succumbed to cardiac arrest on August 15 in Delhi. Hailing from Rampur Baghel village in Vaishali, Pathak revolutionised sanitation by introducing innovative technology in the early 1980s with the first Sulabh toilet near Patna's Gandhi Maidan.

Expanding his mission nationwide, Pathak relocated Sulabh International's headquarters to Delhi and thereby attracted thousands of volunteers. His impactful work earned numerous accolades globally. His book, ‘Road to Freedom’, shed light on the plight of manual scavengers, reflecting his commitment to social change.

Saroja Vaidyanathan

Eminent Bharatanatyam dancer Saroja Vaidyanathan, celebrated for her illustrious contributions to Indian classical dance, breathed her last at her residence on September 21, just two days after marking her 86th birthday.

Recognized with the Padma Shri in 2002 and Padma Bhushan in 2013, Vaidyanathan's legacy encompasses 10 full-length ballets and nearly 2,000 choreographies, leaving an indelible mark on Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. Beyond her artistic prowess, she ventured into academia, penning notable works like 'The Science of Bharata Natyam.'

KG George

Renowned Malayalam filmmaker KG George breathed his last on September 24, leaving behind a legacy in Indian cinema. The 77-year-old, known for his impactful contributions to the ‘new cinema movement,’ passed away at an old age home in Ernakulam, on the outskirts of Kochi.

George made his mark with the 1975 film ‘Swapnadanam,’ a critically acclaimed and commercially successful debut. Having graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, he started his career as an assistant to the legendary director Ramu Kariat before stepping into his directorial ventures.

MS Swaminathan

Eminent Indian agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, a key figure in India's Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98 on September 28.

Revered as the 'Father of Economic Ecology', Swaminathan's work in the 1960s and 1970s transformed Indian agriculture, helping the country to stave off widespread famine and achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

His groundbreaking research introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, pivotal in bolstering India's food grain production and averting famine. Swaminathan's initiatives brought industrial farming to India, vital in achieving self-sufficiency in food production and curbing widespread hunger.

 

Dr. Manohar Singh Gill

MS Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner and ex-Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab breathed his last on October 15 at a private hospital following a brief illness. Aged 87, Gill served as the chief election commissioner (CEC) between December 1996 and June 2001.

Recognized for his contributions, Gill was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. During his tenure as an election commissioner, he spearheaded the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in India, revolutionising the electoral process.

Bishan Singh Bedi

Former Indian cricket team captain and iconic spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, breathed his last on October 23, marking the end of an era in Indian cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the demise of the legendary player, extending heartfelt condolences.

Bedi, a pivotal figure in Indian cricket history, boasted a remarkable career spanning 67 Test matches between 1967 and 1979, claiming an impressive 266 wickets.

Hailing from Amritsar, Bedi's cricket journey began early, eventually representing Delhi in first-class cricket, amassing an outstanding tally of 1,560 wickets in 370 games. Although his ODI appearances numbered at 10, Bedi's legacy as a spin maestro remains etched in the annals of the sport.

Fathima Beevi

Fathima Beevi, the first female judge of the Supreme Court of India and former governor of Tamil Nadu, passed away at 96 in a Kollam hospital on November 23.

Born in Kerala, Justice Beevi, unmarried, leaves behind four younger sisters; she was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. Encouraged by her father, a government servant, she chose law over pursuing an MSc in chemistry, sparking a trailblazing career.

Beevi was conferred the coveted Travancore Bar Council gold medal in 1949-50. She retired from the apex court on April 29, 1992. She was the first woman governor of Tamil Nadu and the first chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).