- Navin Chawla – Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, passed away at 79.
- Horst Koehler – Former President of Germany (2004–2010) and global policymaker focused on Africa, passed away at 81 after a short illness.
- The Aga Khan – Spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and philanthropist, passed away at 88.
- Brian Murphy – Veteran British actor, known for Man About the House and George and Mildred, passed away at 92.
- Sam Nujoma – Namibia’s first president and independence leader, passed away at 95.
- Shyam Benegal – Visionary filmmaker and pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on December 23, 2024, at 90.
- Acharya Satyendra Das – Chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya, passed away at 85.
- Gyalo Thondup – Elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and key figure in Tibetan politics, passed away on February 8, 2025, in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India.
- Sukri Bommagowda (Sukrajji) – Renowned folk singer and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on February 13, 2025, at 88.
- Pratul Mukhopadhyay – Renowned Bengali vocalist, composer, and lyricist, passed away at 83.
- C Krishnaveni – Veteran Telugu actor and producer, passed away at 102 in Hyderabad due to age-related issues.
- Milind Rege – Former Mumbai cricket captain and revered domestic cricket figure, passed away on February 19, 2025, at 76 due to cardiac arrest.
- Mayadhar Raut – Renowned Odissi maestro, known as the “Father of Odissi dance,” passed away on February 22, 2025, at 92 in Delhi.
- Gene Hackman – Oscar-winning actor known for his versatility, found dead at 95 alongside his wife at their home.
| Name of the Personality | Field/Profession |
|---|---|
| Greg Bell | Oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics, won the long jump gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics |
| Latika Katt | India’s most prolific and celebrated sculptors |
| Narendra Chapalgaonkar | Former judge of the Bombay High Court and a renowned author, |
| Wing Commander (Retd) Dr. K. Ramchand | Former IAF officer and director of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) |
| Denis Law | The iconic Manchester United and Scotland striker. Known as “The King,” he scored 237 goals for United, won the Ballon d’Or in 1964, |
| David Lynch | legendary Hollywood director and writer, |
| H Lakshmanan | Former Executive Director of Sundaram-Clayton (now TVS Holdings Ltd), |
| P. Jayachandran also known as “Bhava Gayakan, | Renowned playback singer |
| Costas Simitis | Former Greek Prime Minister (1996-2004) and leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) |
| Pritish Nandy | Veteran journalist, filmmaker, poet, and former Rajya Sabha member |
| Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram | Field of atomic energy |
| Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal | Botanist and Padma Shri awardee, renowned for translating the 17th-century Latin botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus. |
| Name of the Personality | Field/Profession | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Shyam Benegal | Renowned Filmmaker | • Cinematic Debut: Directed Ankur (1974), a breakthrough success. • Notable Films: Manthan (1976), Nishant (1975), Bhumika (1977), Junoon (1978), Zubeidaa (2001), and The Making of the Mahatma (1996). • Socially Relevant Themes: Focused on class struggles, gender dynamics, and colonial history. • Collaborations: Worked with legends like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil. • Awards: Received Padma Shri (1976), Padma Bhushan (1991), and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2005). |
| Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT | Renowned writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker | • Notable Works: Naalukettu (The Ancestral House): Debut novel and landmark in Malayalam literature. • Other novels: Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam (Jnanpith Award winner). • Contributions to Cinema: Directed and wrote iconic films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Kadavu. • Awards: – Jnanpith Award (1995). – National Film Awards for Best Screenplay (4 times). – Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Awards. |
| Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh | A prominent leader in Indian politics and economics | • Prime Minister: Served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. • Role in Economic Reforms: Played a central role in the 1991 economic reforms as Finance Minister, leading India out of a balance of payments crisis. • Key Economic Policies: – Devaluation of the Indian Rupee. – Removal of trade barriers – Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – Dismantling the License Raj • Prime Ministerial Achievements: – NREGA: Launched the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. – Focused on infrastructure development, rural poverty alleviation, and social welfare initiatives. • Foreign Policy: Strengthened ties with the United States through the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. Actively engaged in global forums like the UN, G-20, and BRICS. • Legacy: Known as the architect of India’s economic transformation and inclusive growth. |
| Osamu Suzuki | Long-serving chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation | • Legacy: Credited with transforming Suzuki into a global automotive leader, particularly revolutionizing the Indian car market. • Key Achievement – The Alto: Launched the Alto in 1979, a successful, affordable 660-cc car that became iconic in Japan and globally. • India Market Investment: Boldly invested Suzuki’s earnings to establish a car-making presence in India in the 1980s, leading to the creation of Maruti Udyog. • Maruti 800: The launch of Maruti 800 in 1983, based on the Alto, became a game-changer in India’s automotive landscape, providing affordable cars to millions of middle-class Indians. |
| Jimmy Carter | 39th U.S. President and Nobel Laureate | ◾Key Achievements: • Camp David Accords (1978): Brokered peace between Israel and Egypt, a landmark achievement in Middle Eastern diplomacy. • Nobel Peace Prize (2002): Awarded for his post-presidency humanitarian work, including promoting human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution. • Founded the Carter Center (1982), focusing on health, human rights, and democratic governance globally. |
| Rohan Mirchandani | Well-known Businessman and Entrepreneurs | • Co-founder of Epigamia, a leading yogurt brand in India. • Known for introducing Greek yogurt to the Indian market. • Recognized for making healthy eating trendy and accessible. |
| Meena Ganesh | Iconic Malayalam Star | ◾Film Career: – Made her film debut in 1976 with P.A. Backer’s Manimuzhakkam. – Acted in over 100 films, including Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, Karumadikkuttan, Punaradhivasam, Meesha Madhavan, and Nandanam. |
| Om Prakash Chautala | Former Haryana CM | • Began his political career in the 1980s, becoming a dominant figure in Haryana’s politics. • Founded the Haryana Lok Dal (National), which later became the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) after aligning with the BSP. • Served as Haryana’s CM for five terms, with his last tenure spanning from 1999 to 2005. |
| Pandit Sanjay Marathe | Renowned Singer and Musician | ◾Key Contributions: – Revival of Marathi Musical Theatre: Collaborated with his younger brother, Mukund Marathe, to revive the famous Marathi musical play ‘Sangeet Mandarmala’ in honor of their father’s centenary celebration. – Known for blending innovative experiments with traditional Marathi musical theatre, this production was highly praised. |
| Tulsi Gowda | Renowned environmentalist | ◾ Key Contributions: – Planting over 1 lakh trees in her lifetime. – Worked on strengthening one community reserve, five tiger reserves, 15 conservation reserves, and 30 wildlife sanctuaries. – Actively prevented poaching and helped mitigate forest fires. – Contributed significantly to afforestation and ecological preservation in Karnataka. ◾Recognition and Awards: – Honored with the Padma Shri in 2021 for her unmatched contributions to environmental conservation. – Revered as the “Encyclopedia of Forests” by the Halakki tribal community. |
| Ustad Zakir Hussain | Legendary Tabla Player | ◾Career Highlights: – Revolutionized Tabla: Elevated the instrument from an accompaniment to a solo performance art form, showcasing its emotional and technical depth. – Notable Collaborations: Worked with icons like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and international stars like John McLaughlin, George Harrison, and Mickey Hart. – Co-founder of Shakti: Created a fusion of Indian classical music and jazz, leaving a mark on global music. – Planet Drum: Won a Grammy Award, breaking new ground for world music. – Film Scores: Composed for films like Heat and Dust and In Custody, and participated in global ballet and orchestra projects. ◾ Awards and Honors – Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023) for his contributions to Indian culture. – Grammy Award for the project Planet Drum. Multiple honorary doctorates recognizing his global impact on music. Legacy – Innovator: Redefined Indian classical music, inspiring countless musicians. – Global Ambassador: Took Indian music to international audiences, blending it with various genres. |
| Purushottam Upadhyay | Legendary Gujarati Singer | • Composed music for 20+ films and 30 plays. • Created iconic Gujarati songs such as: – He Ranglo Jamyo – Divaso Judaina Jay Che – Ae Jaashe Jarur Milan Sudhi – Kahu Chu Jawanine • Recipient of prestigious honors, including: – Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar – Padma Shri |
| Nikki Giovanni | Famous Poet | • Published her first two poetry collections in 1968: Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement • Became a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, collaborating with luminaries like Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and Audre Lorde. • Wrote Rosa, a biography of Rosa Parks, which received critical acclaim and several awards. |
| SM Krishna | Former Karnataka Chief Minister | • Known for his initiatives to make Bengaluru the “Silicon City of India”, cementing its status as an IT and biotech hub. • Introduced Bengaluru’s first flyover and launched several infrastructure projects to boost urban development. |
| Neale Fraser | Australia’s most celebrated tennis players and captains | ◾Davis Cup Contributions • As a Player: – Key contributor to Australia’s Davis Cup victories in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962. – Played under legendary captain Harry Hopman, contributing to a golden era for Australian tennis. • As a Captain: – Served as Australia’s Davis Cup captain for 24 years (1970–1993), the longest and one of the most successful tenures in the tournament’s history. – Guided the team to 4 Davis Cup titles in 1973, 1977, 1983, and 1986. |
| Brigadier Raj Manchanda | Revered figure in Indian squash and fondly called the ‘Old Fox | • Six-time National Squash Champion (1977–1982). • Recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award. • Secured fourth place at the 1984 Asian Squash Championships in Jordan. • Pioneered squash within the Indian Services. • Honored with two squash courts named after him at the NDA and IMA. |
| Name of the Personality | Field/Profession | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Bibek Debroy | Chairman of PM’s Economic Advisory Council | • Renowned for translating classical Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, and Upanishads. • Made ancient Indian wisdom accessible to modern audiences. • Authored numerous books, papers, and articles on economics and Indian culture. |
| Rohit Bal (Nicknamed: “Gudda” by close friends) | Indian Designer | • Designed for international stars like Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson, and Uma Thurman. • Collaborated on the set of Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. • Known for opulent designs, luxurious fabrics, and bold motifs inspired by Indian heritage. • Co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd. with his brother in 1986. • Became the first Indian designer to copyright and patent his designs, setting a precedent in the fashion industry. |
| Sharda Sinha | Folk Singer | • Sang in iconic movies like “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2”. • Recipient of the Padma Shri (1991) and Padma Bhushan (2018) for her contributions to music and culture. • Renowned for folk songs celebrating Bihar’s festivals, especially Chhath Puja. • Famous songs include “Kelwa Ke Paat Par” and “Sakal Jagatarini Hey Chhathi Mata”. |
| Harinder Singh Sodhi ( fondly known as ‘Billy,) | Indian Polo Player | • Achieved a rare plus-five handicap; played with legends Hanut Singh and Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur. |
| Pandit Ram Narayan | Sarangi Player (Indian classical music) | • Revolutionized the sarangi as a solo concert instrument. • Played at the Royal Albert Hall and BBC Proms. • Worked on iconic films like Mughal-e-Azam, Pakeezah, and Taj Mahal. • Bridged Indian classical music with international audiences. • Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and many other honors. |
| Mahendra Singh Mewar | Former Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the erstwhile Mewar. | • A descendant of Maharana Pratap, known for his resistance against Mughal invasion. • Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 from Chittorgarh as a BJP member. |
| Delhi Ganesh | Noted Tamil Actor | • Film Debut: 1976 in Pattina Pravesam directed by K. Balachander. • Tamil Nadu State Film Award: Special Prize for Pasi (1979) • Kalaimamani Award: For excellence in the arts (1994) • Later ventured into TV and short films, including a cameo as Alfred Pennyworth in What If Batman Was from Chennai. |
| Madan Mohan Somtiya | Freedom Fighter and Member of Mewar Praja Mandal | • Played a critical role in the Quit India Movement. • Participated in protests such as assisting in blackening Queen Victoria’s statue in Udaipur as part of the resistance. |
| Varadarao Kamalakara Rao | World-Renowned Mridangam Scholar | • Performed at the United Nations Hall in New York, promoting Indian classical music globally. • Trained under Palghat Mani Iyer, became a Mridanga Vidwan at a young age. • Awards & Recognition: Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. President’s Medal, presented by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan during his college years. |
| Amiya Kumar Bagchi | Renowned Economic Historian | • Founder, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata. • Vice-Chairman, West Bengal State Planning Board. |
| Breyten Breytenbach | South African Writer | • Authored the memoir The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist (1985), documenting his prison experiences. • Co-founded the Goree Institute, promoting African democracy. • Remembered as one of Afrikaans’ greatest poets and a significant critic of apartheid. |
| Shashi Ruia | Essar Group Chairman | • Pioneered India’s first Independent Power Producer in 1991 with a 515 MW power plant at Hazira. • Held leadership roles in organizations like FICCI, Indo-US Joint Business Council, and India-Japan Business Council. |
| John Prescott | Former Deputy PM of Britain | • Mediated between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, earning the nickname “political marriage guidance counselor.” • Symbolized Labour’s social mobility and connection to trade unions. • Retired in 2010, joined the House of Lords, and continued advocating for environmental issues, attending COP26 in 2021. |
| Name of the Personality | Field/Profession | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mohanraj | Veteran Malayalam actor | Known for his legendary role as ‘Keerikkadan Jose’ in the classic film Kireedam |
| Ratan Tata | Tata Sons Chairman | Assam Baibhav Award 2021: Recognized for his efforts to improve cancer care in Assam. Leadership Transition: Ratan Tata took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding J.R.D. Tata. Special Postal Cover: Bihar Postal Circle released a special cover honoring his contributions to industry, philanthropy, and national development. |
| Dr. P. Venugopal | Former All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director | India’s First Heart Transplant: Renowned for performing the country’s first heart transplant. Over 50,000 Heart Surgeries: Successfully completed more than 50,000 heart surgeries during his illustrious career. Pioneering Achievement at AIIMS: Launched the first open-heart surgery clinic at AIIMS in 1974. |
| Indranand Singh Jha | Former radio presenter of Akashvani Darbhanga | Profession: Former radio presenter and compere at Akashvani Darbhanga Popular Alias: Known affectionately as Khur Khur Bhai Signature Program: Hosted the rural talk show Gamghar, which resonated deeply with local listeners. |
| Atul Parchure | Renowned Marathi actor | Career Start: Debuted in 1985 with the Marathi film Khichdi. Theater and Cinema: Known for his work in Marathi plays and films like Vasu Chi Sasu, Navra Majha Navsacha, Priyatama, and Tarun Turk Mhatare Arka. Hindi Television: Gained fame with shows like Comedy Nights With Kapil, R K Laxman Ki Duniya, and Comedy Circus. Notable Hindi Films: Featured in movies such as Partner, All the Best, Khatta Meetha, Salaam-E-Ishq, and Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap. |
| Vasant Anant Gadgil | Sanskrit Scholar | Founder: Established Sharda Gyan Peetham for the promotion of Sanskrit education. Teaching Career: Taught at institutions like Tilak Maharashtra University and promoted Sanskrit internationally, including in the US and Africa. Research Contributions: Specialized in ancient texts like the Vedas and Upanishads and was affiliated with the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. Publications:Launched the monthly Sanskrit magazine Sharda. Initiated the Sharada Gaurav Granthamala series, including the Sanskrit biography of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Bhimayanam. Cultural Initiatives: Played a key role in popularizing Rishi Panchami, celebrating intellectuals over 80 for their contributions. Recognition and Awards:Honored with the Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskrit-Vrati National Award for his contributions to Sanskrit research. Felicitated by Narendra Modi in 2012 for his achievements. |
| Ron Ely | Hollywood Actor | Best known for portraying Tarzan in the 1966 NBC series, where he depicted a more articulate and educated version of the character. Starred in the 1975 film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. Featured in South Pacific (1958) and other TV shows and films. Authored two mystery novels: Night Shadows (1994) and East Beach (1995). |
| Rohini Godbole | Renowned Physicist and Gender Equity Proponent | Specialized in elementary particle physics, field theory, and phenomenology. Criticized the Standard Model of fundamental particles, urging the scientific community to explore new frameworks for understanding antimatter. Contributed to accelerator design at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Co-edited Lilavati’s Daughters, a collection of biographical essays on Indian women scientists. Authored Access of Indian Women to Careers in Science, addressing the challenges Indian women face in scientific fields. Padma Shri (2019): Recognized by the Indian government for her contributions to science. French National Medal of Merit (2021): Awarded by the French government for her scientific achievements. |
| Justice KS Puttaswamy | Judge at the Karnataka High Court | Pivotal Role in Right to Privacy Case: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy filed the petition in 2012 challenging the Aadhaar scheme, which led to the landmark Supreme Court ruling recognizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Legal Career: Justice Puttaswamy served as a judge at the Karnataka High Court and was the first vice-chairperson of the Central Administrative Tribunal in Bengaluru. Key Constitutional Contribution: In 2017, the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict upheld privacy as a fundamental right, with Justice Puttaswamy’s petition serving as a crucial catalyst for this legal milestone. |
| Name of the Personality | Field/Profession | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Ayala | Tennis Legend | Chile’s most celebrated athletes. |
| Dame Maggie Smith | British actress | Renowned for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. |
| Daniela Larreal Chirinos | Olympic Cyclist | Venezuelan Olympic cyclist, Her participation spanned an impressive five Olympic Games. |
| Peter Lundgren | Former Swedish tennis player | Lundgren won three ATP titles and was ranked 25th in the world at the peak of his career. |
| Girish Sahni | Former director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) | Dr. Sahni was renowned for his research on blood clots and the development of ‘clot buster‘ drugs. |
| General Sundararajan Padmanabhan | Former Chief of Army Staff | Affectionately called “Paddy” by his peers, General Padmanabhan is remembered for his dedication to soldier welfare, the modernization of the Indian Army, and his strategic vision. |
| Maria Branyas Morera | World’s oldest person from Spain | In January 2023, Guinness World Records officially recognized Branyas as the world’s oldest person following the death of 118-year-old French nun Lucile Randon. |
| Rakesh Pal | Director General of the Indian Coast Guard | He was awarded the Vishist Seva medal for his significant contributions to modernizing and developing the Indian Coast Guard. |
| Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal | Renowned Indian scientist | Affectionately dubbed the ‘Father of Agni Missiles’, Dr. Agarwal has made revolutionary contributions to India’s defense capabilities. |
| Susan Wojcicki | American business executive | Former CEO of YouTube, She worked as Google’s first marketing manager in 1999, |
| H. Devaraj | Former Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) | The University of Madras awarded Devaraj a D.Sc degree in Stem Cell Biology in 2007 for his significant contributions to science. |
| Tsung-Dao Lee | Chinese-American physicist | In 1957, Prof. Lee and Chen-Ning Yang were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on the symmetry of subatomic particles interacting with the fundamental force that holds atoms together. |
| Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee | Politician | Former chief minister of West Bengal and veteran CPIM leader. |
| Yamini Krishnamurthy | Classical Dancer | Renowned for her expertise in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi. |
| Anshuman Gaekwad | Former Indian Cricketer and Coach | In 2018, he received the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the BCCI, the top honor for former Indian cricketers. His autobiography, “Guts Amid Bloodbath,” published in 2023, shares insights into his cricketing journey. |