Category: Obituary

Tribal rights activist Stan Swamy dies awaiting bail

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Post date 6 July 2021
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He added that early on Saturday, the 84-year-old activist — hailing from Trichy in Tamil Nadu — had suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived…reports Asian Lite News.

Ailing octogenarian tribal rights activist Fr. Stan Lourduswamy — an arrested-accused in the sensitive Bhima-Koregoan case and awaiting bail on medical grounds — passed away here on Monday afternoon, officials said.

Swamy’s Senior Advocate Mihir Desai brought to the notice of the Bombay High Court judges Justice S. S. Shinde and Justice N. J. Jamdar of the development when his bail plea came up for hearing this afternoon.

“Its with a very heavy heart I have to inform you that Fr. Stan Swamy has passed away,” said Dr. Stanislaus D’Souza, the doctor treating him at a private hospital informed the court.

He added that early on Saturday, the 84-year-old activist — hailing from Trichy in Tamil Nadu — had suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

Shortly afterwards, the Jesuit Provincial of India said in a statement this afternoon: “With a deep sense of pain, anguish and hope, we have surrendered Fr. Stan Swamy, 84, to his eternal abode.”

Stan Swamy(IANS)

It said that ‘the author of life’, Fr. Swamy, whose mission was to work among the Adivasis, Dalits, and other marginalized communities so that the poor may have life and live to the full, with dignity and honour.

“On behalf of the Jesuits of India, especially the Jesuits of Jamshedpur Jesuit Province, I express my deepest condolence to the family members, friends, lawyers, well-wishers, and all those who stood by Fr. Stan and prayed for him during this moment of trial and suffering,” said the statement.

Fr. Swamy was arrested in October 2020 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with his alleged role in the January 1, 2018 Koregaon-Bhima caste violence in Pune, and related issues which rocked the state and national politics.

Opposition parties and other leaders called out the “inhuman treatment” meted out to the activist after being arrested on charges of an anti-terror law. The octogenarian had been on ventilator support since Sunday, when his health conditions worsened and was being treated at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai following the court order of May 28.

Rights activist Shabnam Hashmi called Stan Swamy’s death “custodial murder” and said that the government has to be held accountable. “#StanSwamy passes away. Fr. Stan Swamy passes away as undertrial in state custody under fake charges under UAPA, NIA, sedition. This is not death, this is custodial murder. Government has to be held accountable,” she tweeted.

RTI activist and anti-graft crusader Anjali Bhardwaj also expressed the anguish in the same vein and called it an “institutional murder”. “With UAPA, the process is the punishment. The death of 84-year-old Father Stan Swamy should be recognised for what it is – institutional murder. RIP Father Stan,” Bhardwaj posted on Twitter.

Deeply saddened by the passing of Fr. Stan Swamy. Unjustifiable that a man who fought all through his life for our society's most downtrodden, had to die in custody. Such travesty of justice should have no place in our democracy. Heartfelt condolences!
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) July 5, 2021

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren also tweeted about Stan Swamy’s death and demanded justice for the inhuman treatment against him. DMK lawmaker Dayanidhi Maran also said that they will be raising the issue in Parliament. “This is a sad state of Indian politics. We are going to raise this issue in Parliament to voice out that you cannot squeeze or mute the dissident voices of people. This is a democracy,” ANI quoted the MP as saying.

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Tags rights, STAN SWAMY, TRIBAL

India News Kerala Obituary

Kerala ‘Iron Lady’ Gouri Amma Passes Away

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Post date 11 May 2021
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Gouri was 102-year-old and was admitted to a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for the treatment of her age-related ailments, reports Asian Lite News

Often referred to as the ‘Iron Lady in Kerala politics, legendary Communist K.R. Gouri passed away at a private hospital here on Tuesday, said family sources.

Gouri was 102-year-old and was admitted to a hospital here for the treatment of her age-related ailments.

She was a member of the world’s first democratically elected Communist government cabinet led by Communist legend E.M.S. Nampoothiripad in 1957. Starting from the first Kerala Legislative Assembly till 1977, when she lost the elections, only to win it back at the next elections and then till 2006 was a legislator.

One of the achievements of her’s was, she piloted the revolutionary Land Reform Bill of the first Communist government.

In her long career she was a State Minister for 16 years in six cabinets of both the Communists and the Congress.

K. R. Gouri Amma(Wikipedia)

In 1994, she was booted out of the CPI-M and she formed her own party- JSS and was with the Congress led UDF, until 2006, after which her party suffered splits and went into oblivion.

Born at Pattanakadu near Alappuzha, Gouri completed her graduation from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam and later received a Law degree from Government Law College at Ernakulam.

Gouri’s chequered political career began with her election to the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1952 and 1954.

Also read:Kerala Covid tally touches record high

In 1957 she was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly and became the Revenue Minister in the first Communist ministry.

In the very same year she married T.V. Thomas, a prominent politician and also a minister in EMS’ government.

Council of Ministers (1957–’59)(Wikipedia)

After the split of Communist party in 1964, she joined the newly formed Communist Party of India (Marxist), while her husband, stood with the Communist Party of India, thereby paving the way of their separation .

Incidentally on June 20 in 2019 in a rare gesture, the Kerala Assembly decided to give a holiday to its session, in order for the members to take part in the centenary birthday celebrations of Gouri, to be held the next day.

Soon after Question Hour, Assembly speaker , P. Sreeramakrishnan invited the attention of the House and read out a statement pointing out that Gouri’s centenary birthday celebrations is there at Alappuzha.

Soon Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while congratulating the legendary Communist said that since the celebrations are being held at Alappuzha and many members will be attending, hence in the fitness of things, it would be better, if tomorrow’s session can be postponed.

When Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala also heaped praises on Gouri and agreed to Vijayan’s suggestion, the House was in unison to the demand and Sreeramakrishnan announced that there will be no sitting, the next day.

Condolences pour in

Condolences have started pouring in with all stating that she was the one who will always be remembered in the annals of Kerala and India’s history of being a lady who through her iron will and determination came up and was at the top of the political scenario for almost eight decades.

With the Covid protocols in place, the Kerala government is planning on how to give her a memorable farewell.

“Com. K R Gauri was a brave fighter, dedicated her life to end exploitation, build an egalitarian society. She made seminal contributions in building the Communist movement & as an administrator. Let’s show respects, by pledging to build a more progressive society. Red Salute!,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “My heartfelt condolences to the family of K R Gouri Amma ji. A tall presence in Kerala’s politics, she remains a source of inspiration to many. Paying homage to her brilliant life journey.”

Congress leader Dr Shashi Tharoor expressed his condolences and termed the death of Gauri as iconic figure of Kerala left politics.

“Communist leader &rebel KR Gouri, who parted from the CPM in 1994 & even joined the INC-led UDF for a decade, passed away today at 102 years of age. An iconic figure of Kerala Left politics & architect of land reform, a towering female leader has gone,” Dr Tharoor tweeted.

Also read:Active Covid cases in Kerala expected to touch 6 lakh

Tags communist, Gowri Amma, iron lady

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OBIT: Soli Sorabjee By Sarosh Zaiwalla

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Post date 30 April 2021
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SAROSH ZAIWALLA: We have lost a kind noble Soul who has left for his heavenly abode today. In his passing my firm and I have lost a well-wisher, supporter and a friend

Soli Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India, passed away today. He was victim of the current Covid surge in India. I had known Soli since my childhood days in Mumbai. Soli was a unique personality.

Some six or so years ago my firm had instructed him to give evidence on Indian Law on behalf of our client PEC Ltd, an Indian government-owned company based in Delhi, in a case before the English court. PEC Ltd vs Asia Golden Rice involved a challenge to a GAFTA Appeal Board arbitration Award. The case was listed for a three-day hearing in the English High Court before Hon Mr Justice Walker. Soli was going to travel to London for the hearing.

Two days before the hearing my firm got a message from the High Court that Mr Justice Walker had decided to step down as the judge for the hearing on noticing that Mr Sorabjee was going to be an expert witness because he had heard Soli’s presentation at an International law conference in Australia and he was so very impressed by Mr Sorabjee’s truthfulness and integrity that it would not be fair to the other party for him to sit as a judge in the case. Such was Soli’s reputation for truthfulness and integrity.

My last meeting with Soli was in January 2020 when on very short notice he attended the book launch of my memoir in Delhi in a wheelchair. This was another example of Soli’s kind nature. We have lost a kind noble Soul who has left for his heavenly abode today. In his passing my firm and I have lost a well-wisher, supporter and a friend. My sincere condolences to his wife Zeena and other members of his family.

Tags Obit, Sarosh, SOLI SORABJEE

-Top News Obituary UK News

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies at 99

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Post date 9 April 2021
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Prince Philip, the consort of UK’s Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Friday, the Buckingham Palace announced. He was 99.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle,” the statement said, the BBC reported.

He had recently been in hospital.

Hailing from the Greek and Danish families, Prince Philip was also the nephew of Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, under whom the country became Independent.

Living in Britain and joining the Royal Navy in 1939, he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became the Queen.

The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Tags Duke of Edinburgh, England, OBITUARY, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth

-Top News Obituary UK News

Ex-Diplomat Thekkummuri Haridas Dies in London

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Post date 24 March 2021
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As a great dreamer in life, he produced several movies including Manju Warrior’s ‘Ee Puzhayum Kadannu’…reports Asian Lite News.

Lonodn-based Malayalee businessman and former Indian Embassy official T. Haridas, 70, passed away at 1 am at St.George Hospital in London. Popularly known as Hariyettan, the Loka Kerala Sabha member unexpectedly succumbed to gastrointestinal disease. He was admitted to hospital on Monday. His close friends and relatives were hoping for his speedy recovery.

Mr Haridas started his career as an accountant at India House, the High Commission Office in London. Later he launched Kerala restaurant groups with units at prime locations in London. His Malabar Junction was one of the best restaurants in London.

UK army veteran Tom Moore dies at 100

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Post date 3 February 2021
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The 100-year-old British army veteran, who raised millions of pounds to help Britain’s health service in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic last year, passed away with coronavirus in hospital.

In a statement confirming his death on Tuesday, his daughters said that he had been suffering from pneumonia during the past weeks and tested positive for Covid-19, Xinhua news agency reported.

He had been taken to hospital in Bedfordshire, east England, when he needed help with his breathing at the weekend. His family said they were with him on Monday night during the last hours of his life.

“The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of,” said the family statement.

Moore, who turned 100 last April, raised more than 32 million pounds (about US $43.65 million) for Britian’s National Health Service by walking 100 laps around his garden during the country’s first Covid-19 lockdown last year.

His fundraising efforts won the country’s hearts and he was knighted by the Queen in July.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Tuesday that the Queen sent private message of condolence to Moore’s family. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also sent his condolences to the family.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was one of the first senior British officials to pay tribute to the pensioner hero, saying on his social media site: “I’m so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital. He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country and I send my best wishes to his family at this time.”

Number 10 Downing Street will lower the flag to half mast in tribute to him, reported the BBC.

Moore passed away as the total number of coronavirus cases in the country stood at 3,852,623 on Tuesday. The anti-Covid fight he backed last year is still going on in Britain.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Also Read-‘Kashmir issue to be resolved in a dignified manner’

Books Lite Blogs Obituary

Renowned Poet Sugathakumari Dies At 86

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Post date 23 December 2020
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Renowned Malayalam Poet and activist Sugathakumari passed away on Wednesday. She was tested positive for Covid-19 and was under treatment at Tiruvananthapuram medical college.

Sugathakumari (Wikipedia)

The 86 year old poet and Padma Shri awardee was on ventilator support after admitted in hospital with severe pneumonia last week.

Sugathakumari (Wikipedia)

She was suffering from bronchopneumonia, as per the reports from hospital. Last day she stopped responding to medication and condition was worsened.

Sugathakumari (Wikipedia)

She was a powerful voice of Malayalam literature and an influential activist in the society. Save Silent Valley Movement is the most important one in which she Keralites’ favourite teacher has bagged several awards including Kerala Sahitya Akademi award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi award, Odakkuzhal award, and Ezhuthachan award.

Also Read-‘The Longest Kiss’ On Indian Cinema