The year 2024 is about to pass. This phase of time is also in its last phase. 2 days and then a new dawn of the year 2025 is about to begin. But looking back, this passing year has given us some great achievements and we have also gained some sweet and sour experiences. Apart from this, there were some people and celebrities who were together only till this year. Before moving towards the New Year, let us once again remember those who are no more.
The year 2024 will also be remembered in history for losing those stalwarts who made extraordinary contributions in their respective fields. The country lost many great personalities in fields like politics, music, art, cinema, literature and business.
Former PM Manmohan Singh and industrialist Ratan Tata
Former Prime Minister and architect of economic reforms Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on 26 December. The policies of Manmohan Singh, who rescued the country from the economic crisis in the 1990s, changed the future of India. At the same time, in the same year, the demise of industrial giant Ratan Tata created an irreparable void in India’s corporate sector. Former Chairman of Tata Group, Ratan Tata took Indian business to new heights on the global stage. Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata passed away on 9 October 2024.
Irreparable loss was also caused in the field of music and art.
This year, even big personalities from the world of music and art said goodbye to us. Tabla player Zakir Hussain (died 15 December 2024), classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan (died 9 January 2024), ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas (died 26 February 2024), and Bharatnatyam dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy (died 3 August 2024). Zakir Hussain gave global recognition to Tabla and won four Grammy Awards in his career.
Sharda Sinha (5 November 2024), who popularized Bhojpuri and Maithili folk songs, was also no more with us this year. His Chhath songs became an integral part of Indian cultural heritage.
Many vacant places were created in the world of literature and cinema also.
In the literary world, famous personalities like Munawwar Rana (14 January 2024), Keki N Daruwala (26 September 2024), Usha Kiran Khan (11 February 2024) and Malti Joshi (15 May 2024) passed away. Munawwar Rana touched every heart with his poems in Awadhi and Urdu.
The world of cinema lost filmmakers like Shyam Benegal (23 December 2024) and Kumar Shahani (24 February 2024). These pillars of Indian parallel cinema will be remembered for classic films like “Ankur”, “Manthan”, “Maya Darpan” and “Kasba”.
The world of food is also sad
Chef Imtiaz Qureshi (16 February 2024), who revived the strong style in the world of food, and Hanif Qureshi (22 September 2024), who gave a new identity to public art, are also no longer among us.
The radio world lost a big star with the demise of Amin Sayani (20 February 2024), who became the identity of All India Radio and the voice of millions of listeners.
2024 will be remembered as a year of deep sorrow for the passing of these greats and a year of preserving their legacy.