In Memoriam: Remembering Those We Lost In 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, we recall some of the well-known faces who will not be with us as the new year begins. In the last 12 months, India has lost several individuals who played key roles in shaping the nation’s journey across various spheres, including culture, science, politics, and social welfare. This section looks back at their contributions and serves to honour their memory.

Manmohan Singh

(December 26, 1932 - December 26, 2024) 

With his blue turban, and spectacles on, India opened its barrels for Liberalisation, Privatisation, and globalisation in 1991. Born in Gah, Punjab, undivided India, in 1932, Manmohan Singh grew up to be the pioneer of economics.  He earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and later obtained a doctorate from the University of Oxford. His caliber rustled down seven budgets, whether it be the May 1957 Budget of T.T. Krishnamachari or the March 1985 Budget of V.P. Singh, finally to be churned out as Finance Minister of India under P.V. Narasimha Rao. Having held positions from Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to the Reserve Bank of India, Manmohan Singh curated multiple reforms. 

He became second to Jawaharlal Nehru to have been reelected as Prime Minister of India. Presiding over a decade, he brought in Right to Education, the National Rural Guarantee Employment Act and Aadhaar. While Manmohan Singh retired on 2nd April 2024, after having served thirty-three years as member of Rajya Sabha, his final adieu only came on 26th December 2024.  

M.T. Vasudevan Nair

(July 15, 1933 - December 25, 2024)

One of India's most renowned authors and filmmakers, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, died in Kozhikode, Kerala, on December 25, 2024, at the age of 91. He was a superb storyteller, lovingly known as MT. His works had a lasting impact on Malayalam literature and film.

MT's journey began in 1958 when his debut work, Naalukettu (The Ancestral House), won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He was born in Kudallur, in the Palakkad district. During his storied career, he wrote nine novels, 19 anthologies of short stories, and numerous articles and memoirs. He received multiple national and state honors, including the coveted Jnanpith Award in 1995, for his works that explored the intricacies of human emotions and rural life, such as Asuravithu(The Demon Seed), Manju (Mist), and Kaalam (Time).

Shyam Benegal

(December 14, 1934 - December 23, 2024)

Shyam Benegal, a towering figure in Indian cinema and a pioneer of the Indian New Wave, passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90 in Mumbai due to chronic kidney disease. Born on December 14, 1934, in Tirumalagiri, Hyderabad, Benegal's journey into the world of cinema began early, and he quickly became known for his films that tackled social issues with authenticity and depth.

Benegal's illustrious career included directing over 30 feature films, including classics like Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), and Bhumika (1977). These films challenged the conventions of mainstream Bollywood and brought attention to the social realities of India. His work in television was equally significant, with the landmark series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), based on Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India, bringing the story of India's freedom struggle and cultural heritage into millions of homes.

Benegal was also a mentor to many prominent Indian actors, including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Om Puri, helping shape their careers and contributing to the growth of parallel cinema. His influence extended beyond the screen, as he taught at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and served as its chairman during two terms.

Ratan Tata

(December 28, 1937 - October 9, 2024)

He once said that he saw a family of four traveling on a two-wheeler, with the vehicle crammed. This experience became the inspiration for building India's cheapest car: the Nano. Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai. He joined the Tata Group in 1961 and went on to become its Chairman in 1991. Under his stewardship, the Tata Group transformed into a global conglomerate, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community development.

Ratan Tata's tenure saw the acquisition of iconic brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Tetley, and Corus, which solidified Tata Group's presence on the international stage. His vision was not confined to business alone; he was deeply committed to social causes and philanthropy. The Tata Trusts, under his guidance, contributed significantly to education, healthcare, and rural development in India.

Click here to read Outlook's 1st November 2024 issue, which explores how Ratan Tata left behind a legacy of empathy, kindness, and innovation in business, but also how his utopia wasn't without its troubles.

Zakir Hussain

(March 9, 1951 - December 15, 2024)

Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro and global ambassador of Indian classical music, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 73 in San Francisco due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha.

From a young age, Zakir was immersed in music, performing across India by the age of 12. Over a remarkable career spanning six decades, he became a prominent figure in both Indian classical music and the global music scene. In 1973, Hussain co-founded the fusion band Shakti with British guitarist John McLaughlin. This innovative synthesis introduced global audiences to the complexities of Indian rhythms and melodies, establishing Hussain as a versatile and forward-thinking artist. Throughout his career, he was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, winning four, including three in 2024.

Rohit Bal 

(March 9, 1961 - November 1, 2024)

The renowned Indian fashion designer Rohit Bal, who was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India, died of cardiac arrest on November 1, 2024, at the age of 63. His friends called him "Gudda." Bal was a trailblazer who made Indian fashion famous throughout the world with his unique and avant-garde designs. Born in Kashmir, Bal's designs frequently captured the beauty of his homeland, fusing traditional elements like lotuses and flowers with modern flair. He clothed several celebrities during his long career, including Indian legends Arjun Rampal and Deepika Padukone, as well as Hollywood luminaries Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell.

Bal's last public appearance was at the Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024 grand finale, where he presented his collection "Kaaynaat: A Bloom In The Universe." Despite his frail health, he made a grand return to the ramp, leaving the audience deeply moved.

Ramoji Rao

(November 16, 1936 - June 8, 2024)

The visionary Ramoji Rao, who died in Hyderabad on June 8, 2024, at the age of 87, founded the Eenadu Group and Ramoji Film City. Rao was born in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. With the introduction of the Telugu daily Eenadu in 1974, he began his career in media and entertainment. By helping Eenadu become the most-read Telugu newspaper, he set new standards for journalism.

Rao's business acumen led to the establishment of Ramoji Film City, which Guinness World Records has acknowledged as the world's largest film production complex. Filming has taken place at this massive complex on the outskirts of Hyderabad for thousands of Indian films, including the popular Baahubali series.

Sitaram Yechury

(1952 - September 12, 2024)

After fighting a serious respiratory infection, Sitaram Yechury, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former member of the Rajya Sabha, passed away in Delhi on September 12, 2024, at the age of 72. Yechury, who was born in Chennai in 1952, was a well-known politician in India, renowned for his unflinching support of socialism and justice.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was the starting point of Yechury's political career. From 1977 to 1978, he was elected president of the Students' Union three times. His lengthy and significant political career was made possible by his involvement in student activism. Later, in 1975, he joined the CPI (M) and was elected president of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) for all of India.

Natwar Singh

(May 16, 1931 - August 10, 2024)

On August 10, 2024, Natwar Singh, a prominent Congress lawmaker and former External Affairs Minister, passed away in New Delhi at the age of 93. Singh was born on May 16, 1931, and joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1953. He served in the IFS for 31 years. His early assignments included postings in Beijing, New York City, and London. He also served as India's Ambassador to Poland, Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Ambassador to Pakistan. His diplomatic career was marked by his involvement in India's multilateral campaigns and his role in the Non-Alignment Movement.

In the early 1980s, he entered politics. Under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he was the Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Coal, Steel, and Mines. Singh made significant contributions to India's foreign policy and was renowned for his diplomatic skills. In 1984, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his national service.

Sushil Kumar Modi

(January 5, 1952 - May 13, 2024) 

Sushil Kumar Modi, the senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, passed away on May 13, 2024, at the age of 72 in Patna. Born on January 5, 1952, Modi served as Bihar's Finance Minister from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2017 to 2020. He played a key role in fostering strong ties with NDA ally and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, shaping Bihar's political landscape and bolstering the BJP's presence in the state. 

Modi was known for his dedication to public service and his efforts to improve Bihar's economic and social infrastructure. His contributions to the state's development and his political acumen earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and constituents alike. 

Pankaj Udhas

(March 17, 1951 - February 26, 2024)

After a protracted illness, Pankaj Udhas, the passionate ghazal singer whose voice moved millions, passed away in Mumbai on February 26, 2024, at the age of 72. Udhas was born in Rajkot, Gujarat, and his father, a government employee who enjoyed playing the rabab, exposed him to music. His 1980 debut album Aahat marked the beginning of his musical career and immediately made him famous.

Ghazals gained popularity among young people thanks to Udhas' voice, which is renowned for its emotional depth and melodic richness. His melodies resonated with the Indian diaspora and migrants' yearning for home, and songs like "Chitthi Aayi Hai" from the 1986 movie Naam became anthems for them. Other memorable songs include "Purab Na Jaiyo Paschhim Na Jaiyyo" from Jawaab (1985) and "Jeeye To Jeeyen Kaise" from Saajan (1991).

Ustad Rashid Khan

(July 1, 1968 - January 9, 2024)

After a protracted battle with illness, the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan died in Kolkata on January 9, 2024, at the age of 55. Rashid Khan, the great-grandson of the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana's founder, Inayat Hussain Khan, was born in Sahaswan, Uttar Pradesh, on July 1, 1968.

Rashid Khan showed remarkable musical ability at an early age. He was first trained by his maternal grand-uncle, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan, and later refined his abilities at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. He received multiple honours for his hard work and devotion to his craft, including the Padma Bhushan in 2022 and the Padma Shri in 2006.