rediff.com: They year that was

Finally, remembering some of those who passed away this year.

Former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao is largely credited with resurrecting India's economy, which was in a shambles when he took over as prime minister in 1991. Rao was the first Congress prime minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full term in office. He passed away on December 23.

The doyenne of Carnatic music passed away on December 11. Bharat Ratna M S Subbulakshmi was born as Kunjamma in Madurai. She started singing at a time when concerts were considered a male domain. She also acted in a few movies, the most popular among them being Bhakt Meera.

Mulk Raj Anand was one of the founding fathers of the Indian English novel. His acclaimed works include Untouchable [1935], Coolie [1936], Two leaves and a Bud [1937], a trilogy The Village (1939), Across the Black Waters [1940] and the Sword and the Sickle [1942]. His seven-volume autobiography Seven Ages of Man was among his outstanding works. He passed away on September 28.

Dr Raja Ramanna was associated with the country's first nuclear test in 1974, as the director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. He also served as the Union minister of state for defence from January to November 1990. He died on September 23.

Journalist Dom Moraes, son of former Indian Express editor Frank Moraes, was an acclaimed writer and poet, and a columnist for many newspapers. He also wrote a biography of former prime minister Indira Gandhi called Mrs Gandhi. He was suffering from cancer for some time before his death on June 2 due to heart attack.

E K Nayanar was one of the stalwarts of the Leftist movement in India. He was chief minister of Kerala thrice. He died on May 19 due to health complications.

Ramakrishna Hegde was once considered one of the cleanest politicians in India. He was among those who worked to unite the opposition parties under the banner of the Janata Party in 1977. There was a time when he was considered a prime ministerial candidate. He passed away on January 12.

Also read: A muse passes into the ages

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R.I.P. < Back > < Start > Finally, remembering some of those who passed away this year. Former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao is largely credited with resurrecting India's economy, which was in a shambles when he took over as prime minister in 1991. Rao was the first Congress prime minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full term in office. He passed away on December 23. The doyenne of Carnatic music passed away on December 11. Bharat Ratna M S Subbulakshmi was born as Kunjamma in Madurai. She started singing at a time when concerts were considered a male domain. She also acted in a few movies, the most popular among them being Bhakt Meera. Mulk Raj Anand was one of the founding fathers of the Indian English novel. His acclaimed works include Untouchable [1935], Coolie [1936], Two leaves and a Bud [1937], a trilogy The Village (1939), Across the Black Waters [1940] and the Sword and the Sickle [1942]. His seven-volume autobiography Seven Ages of Man was among his outstanding works. He passed away on September 28. Dr Raja Ramanna was associated with the country's first nuclear test in 1974, as the director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. He also served as the Union minister of state for defence from January to November 1990. He died on September 23. Journalist Dom Moraes, son of former Indian Express editor Frank Moraes, was an acclaimed writer and poet, and a columnist for many newspapers. He also wrote a biography of former prime minister Indira Gandhi called Mrs Gandhi. He was suffering from cancer for some time before his death on June 2 due to heart attack. E K Nayanar was one of the stalwarts of the Leftist movement in India. He was chief minister of Kerala thrice. He died on May 19 due to health complications. Ramakrishna Hegde was once considered one of the cleanest politicians in India. He was among those who worked to unite the opposition parties under the banner of the Janata Party in 1977. There was a time when he was considered a prime ministerial candidate. He passed away on January 12. Also read: A muse passes into the ages < Back > < Start >



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