Louie Anderson, an Emmy winning comedian, dies at 68

The Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and game show host Louie Anderson passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. He was undergoing treatment after he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Anderson was one of America’s most beloved comedians.

Gaspard Ulliel, Moon Knight actor, dies at 37 after ski accident

Actor Gaspard Ulliel who was cast as the character of Anton Mogart in Moon Knight died at the age of 37 in an incident that happened following a ski incident. Moon Knight is an upcoming Marvel mini-series. Ulliel was hospitalized after suffering a head injury and was not able to recover. He was transported by helicopter to the hospital after a collision on the slopes in the Savoie region. The Cesar-winning actor collided with another skier and suffered serious brain trauma. Local authorities have also opened an investigation into the accident. Gaspard Ulliel was best known for portraying the young Hannibal Lector in the Hannibal Rising. He was also the face of the Chanel fragrance Bleu de Chanel. Ulliel was nominated for a Ceasar Award for Most Promising Actor in 2002 and 2003.

Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, creator of ‘Bantul The Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’, passes away at 97

Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, the creator of popular Bengali comic characters ‘Nonte Phonte’, ‘Bantul The Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’, passed away in Kolkata on January 18, 2022, at the age of 97. The hospital where he undergoing treatment informed that he died after a prolonged illness. Debnath was admitted to the private hospital On December 24, 2021, and was on ventilator support.

Narayan Debnath was awarded Padma Shree in 2021. West Bengal Government had handed over him the country’s fourth-highest civilian award while he was undergoing treatment. Earlier, the beloved cartoonist was also awarded Bangabibhsuan in 2013 as well as the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away at 83

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a legendary Kathak maestro, passed away on January 17, 2022, at the age of 83. Reportedly, Birju Maharaj suffered a heart attack in the wee hours of Monday. The unfortunate news of his demise was also shared by his grandson Swaransh Mishra on his social media.

Pandit Birju Maharaj, apart from being a renowned Kathak Dancer, was also a well-known classical singer and had lent his voice to various films. Birju Maharaj was also honoured by the Government of India with the country’s second-highest Civilian Award, Padma Vibhushan in 1986 for his remarkable contribution.

Prime Minister Modi, via Twitter, paid his condolences to the Kathak maestro and said that his death is an ‘irreparable loss’ to the entire art world.

Social Activist Shanti Devi passes away at 88

Padma Shree awardee and noted social activist Shanti Devi passed away at the age of 88 in Odisha. She complained of chest pain and became unconscious. Shanti Devi was taken to the hospital where she was declared dead upon arrival. Shanti Devi is known for her work on the development and education of tribal girls. She had also set up an ashram for the leprosy patients in the Rayagada district. Shanti Devi, for the most part of her life, worked for the all-around development of the tribal girl children, including the rehabilitation, education and vocational training of the orphans and destitute children. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Modi as well as other personalities condoled her demise and prayed for her departed soul.

Veteran NDTV Journalist Kamal Khan passes away at 61

Kamal Khan, veteran NDTV Journalist and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Award passed away on January 14, 2022, at the age of 61 after suffering a heart attack. Kamal Khan is survived by his wife, Ruchi, and their son, Aman.

Several members of the media fraternity and politicians paid their tributes to Kamal Khan. Congress leader and former journalist Supriya Shrinate offered her condolences via Twitter and called Khan a rock-solid journalist. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai paid tribute to Journalist Kamal Khan. He remembered Khan as NDTV’s fine reporter from Lucknow.

Legendary Music Composer Saroj Pattnayak passes away at 81

The legendary lyricist and music composer Saroj Pattnayak passed away on January 13, 2022, at the age of 81. He was bedridden for the last one year. Saroj Patnaik was born on June 2, 1940, in Odisha and was interested in music since childhood. He had also learned to play harmonium himself. Patnaik later became an acclaimed lyricist and a music director for Doordarshan and Akashwani. Saroj Patnaik had started his career in 1977 as a music composer in Odia super hit film ‘Abhiman’. Before that, he was working as a renowned lyricist at Doordarshan and Akashwani.

Veteran Director Peter Bogdanovich passes away

Oscar-nominated Hollywood Director Peter Bogdanovich passed away at the age of 82 on January 7, 2022. Bogdanovich had served as a bridge between Old Hollywood and new Hollywood. The legendary director had directed the film the 1971 black and white classic, 'Last Picture Show', which had received 8 Oscar nominations including for best director. He has also directed movies such as 'Mask', 'At Long Last Love' and 'Daisy Miller.'

Assam Rifles veteran who escorted 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India passes away

Chandra Das, the Assam Rifles veteran, who had received and escorted the 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India in 1959 passed away on December 28, 2021. He was 83. Dalai Lama had fled Tibet in 1959 at the age of 22 and crossed the border on March 30, 1959 with the help of the CIA's Special Activities Division. He had arrived at Tezpur in Assam. He was escorted into India by a seven-member Assam Rifles team, which comprised 23-year-old Naren Chandra Das.

Art of Living program director Rishi Nityapragya passes away

Rishi Nityapragya, the Director of Programs in the Art of Living Foundation, passed away due to COVID-19 at the age of 58. He was hospitalized since December 13 after testing positive for COVID. Nityapragya was a chemical engineer with a corporate career in the past. He was also a close aid of spiritual guru and the founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Art of Living Foundation in a statement said that Nityapragya served the society selflessly for decades. He also inspired thousands of people through his soulful and devotional satsangs.

Desmond Tutu, South African anti-apartheid hero and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passes away at 90

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a veteran of South Africa’s struggle against the white minority rule and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away on December 26, 2021, at the age of 90. Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 in recognition of his non-violent opposition against the rule by the white minority in the country.

The President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, in a televised address, described Desmond Tutu as one of South Africa’s finest patriots. While the President of the US Joe Biden said that Desmond Tutu followed his spiritual calling to create a freer, better, and more equal world.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in the late 1990s. In recent years, he was hospitalized on several occasions to treat infections caused due to his cancer treatments.

Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Prasad passes away

Seven-term Rajya Sabha MP from the Janata Dal (United), Dr. Mahendra Prasad passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on December 27, 2021.

The 81-year-old passed away after battling prolonged illness. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar. He had also previously been a member of the Lok Sabha for one term.

PT Thomas, Senior Congress Leader and MLA from Kerala, passes away

PT Thomas, the working President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) senior Congress MLA, passed away on December 22, 2021, at the age of 70. PT Thomas was a former MP who was battling Pancreatic Cancer and undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College, Vellore.

PT Thomas was known for his uncompromising stand on environmental protection. A three-time MLA, Thomas who rose through the ranks of the Congress Party had been politically active since his college days as a firebrand KSU leader at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam.

Group Captain Varun Singh, lone survivor of IAF chopper crash passes away

Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash, succumbed to his injuries and passed away on December 15, 2021. Varun Singh was rescued after the IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8 that killed CDS Bipin Rawat along with 12 other officials including his wife Madhulika Rawat. Varun Singh was recently promoted to the Group Captain of the Indian Air Force.

Senior BJP leader and eight-time MLA Harbans Kapoor passes away in Uttarakhand

The Senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Harbans Kapoor passed away on December 12, 2021, in Dehradun. He was a former Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly and also an eight-time MLA.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over Kapoor’s demise and wished strength for his family members. The Chief Minister also said that soft-spoken Harbans Kapoor always lives life with simplicity.

Executive Director of Serum Institute of India Dr Suresh Jadhav passes away

The Executive Director of Serum Institute of India (SII) Dr. Suresh Jadhav passed away at the age of 72 after a long illness. Dr. Jadhav was known to be instrumental in the development of the Covishield vaccine on COVID-19. The Chief Scientist of WHO Dr. Soumya Swaminathan expressed her condolences via Twitter on the demise of Dr Jadhav.

Padma Shri Nanda Kishore Prusty passes away,

Padma Shri awardee Nanda Kishore Prusty passed away on December 7, 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay condolences and remember his contribution to the field of education. PM Modi tweeted, "Pained by the demise of Nanda Prusty. The much-respected 'Nanda Sir' will be remembered for generations due to his efforts to spread the joys of education in Odisha. He drew the nation's attention and affection a few weeks ago at the Padma Awards ceremony."

Nanda Kishore Prusty was a 98-year-old school teacher, popularly known as Nanda Sir, who provided free education to many generations of children since independence. He was awarded the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Koving in November 2021.

Padma Shri Vinod Dua passes away

Vinod Dua, veteran journalist, and Padma Shri awardee passed away on December 4, 2021. Vindo Dua was suffering from a prolonged illness following a COVID-19 infection. The news of Vinod Dua’s demise was confirmed by her daughter Mallika Dua via a social media post. 67 years old Vinod Dua, a veteran journalist, was moved last week to the Intensive Care Unit of Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. Mallika Dua also informed that the cremation will be held at the Lodhi crematorium in Delhi on December 5, 2021.

Vinod Dua, with an illustrious career that spanned four decades, was a pioneer in broadcast Hindi journalism with stints in Doorsharshan and other prominent media houses. Vinod Dua’s legacy goes across the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, with his latest avatar on digital new age media. Vinod Dua was also known to have revolutionized the election coverage of India.

Noted Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry passes away

Noted Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry passed away on November 30, 2021. He was undergoing treatment for lung cancer. He was 66.

The hospital authorities revealed in a statement that the veteran lyricist, aged 66, passed away due to lung cancer-related complications. The Padma Shri awardee had been hospitalized for lung-related ailments on November 24th at KIMS Hospital Secunderabad.

Dollar Seshadri passes away due to cardiac arrest

Dollar Seshadri, officer on special duty (OSD) at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) passed away on November 29, 2021 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Vishakhapatnam. He was 74.

He was reportedly in the port city of Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to participate in the Karthika Deepotsavam, which was organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. He suffered a massive stroke early morning on November 29th and was rushed to a corporate hospital at Ramnagar. He was declared dead on arrival.

Tamil actor-director RNR Manohar passes away

Popular Tamil actor-director RNR Manohar passed away on November 17, 2021. He was 61. He was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Chennai.

He was under medical care for almost 20 days until he breathed his last. He reportedly passed away after suffering a heart attack. He is survived by his wife. His death has come as a shock and many celebrities took to social media to express their grief and pay their condolences.

RNR Manohar had begun his career in films as an assistant director in KS Ravi Kumar’s movie Band Master and his acting career with the popular Malayalam director IV Sasi’s Tamil movie ‘Kolangal’, in which he was also the assistant director. 

Notable Historian Babasaheb Purandare passes away

Padma Vibhushan awardee Balwant Moreshwar Purandare passed away on November 15, 2021. He Purandare was a notable Indian historian, writer and theatre personality. He was awarded India's second-highest civilian award in January 2019.

Mannu Bhandari, renowned Hindi author passes away at 90

Mannu Bhandari, a renowned and widely celebrated Indian author has passed away at the age of 90. The news of her demise was confirmed by her family. Mannu Bhandari breathed her last in Gurugram where she had been living with her daughter. As per her son-in-law, Bhandari was not keeping well for the last few years and had been in the hospital for the past week. She passed away at around 2 pm on November 15, 2021.

Hollywood actor Dean Stockwell passes away at 85

Hollywood actor Dean Stockwell has passed away at the age of 85. In his 70-year career, he appeared in several films including Dune, Blue Velvet and Married to the Mob, for which he received an Oscar nomination for best-supporting actor. He also featured in TV shows Quantum Leap and Battlestar Galactica, which gave him a sci-fi fanbase and also honoured him with four Emmy nominations.

South Africa’s last apartheid president FW de Klerk dies at 85

South Africa’s last apartheid president FW de Klerk passed away at the age of 85 on November 11, 2021 after suffering from mesothelioma cancer, confirmed the FW de Klerk Foundation. FW de Klerk was South Africa’s last apartheid president who oversaw the end of the country’s white minority rule. FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts in moving South Africa towards democracy away from institutionalized racism.