1) Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired from Test cricket: Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 30 December 2014 surprised the cricket world with his sudden announcement of immediate retirement from Test cricket. Announcement of Dhoni's retirement after the wicketkeeper-batsman had played in 90 Test matches, 60 of them as captain, was made immediately after India lost the current Test series to Australia following a drawn third Test. Dhoni, who led India to an unprecedented two World Cup titles (2007 Twenty20 World Championships and the 2011 ODI World Cup), had been drawing flak for India's poor run in overseas Tests. Yet the wicketkeeper-batsman remains one of the most successful captains ever for India, having led the side to the top of ICC rankings in Tests in 2009.
2) Noted journalist B G Verghese passed away: Eminent journalist B G Verghese, a Ramon Magsaysay award winner and former editor of leading dailies Hindustan Times and Indian Express, passed away on 30 December 2014 at the age of 87 after brief illness. Verghese, who authored many books, was editor of Hindustan Times from 1969 to 1975 and The Indian Express from 1982 to 1986. He was also information adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1969 but was critical of her for imposing the Emergency in 1975. His books include Waters of hope, India's North East, Fourth Estate (2005) and his autobiography First Draft: Witness to Making of Modern India.
3) Nation remembered Dr. Vikram Sarabhai on his 43rd death anniversary: Nation on 30 December 2014 remembered Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai for his contribution towards India’s space research and development on his 43rd death anniversary. The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangaluru in 1969 was one of his greatest achievements. The Indian space programme has made a quite impressive progress through its well-integrated, self-reliant programmes.
4) Australia retained Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australia on 30 December 2014 regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the third cricket Test ended in an exciting draw with a jittery India just about managing to avoid an embarrassing defeat in Melbourne. Set an improbable target of 384 in 70 overs courtesy Shaun Marsh's 99, India's batting frailty was again exposed and they survived some anxious moments before salvaging a draw. It ensured that India won't suffer a 'whitewash' this time around.
5) Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi transferred to Mizoram: Uttrakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi, who had taken the Modi government to Supreme Court for alleged attempts to ease him out of office, was on 30 December 2014 shifted to Mizoram. A Presidential communique said that Qureshi has been transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term till May 2017 and Meghalaya Governor K K Paul will take his place. Paul, who was appointed as Governor of Meghalaya on July 8, 2013, will continue to hold additional charge of Governor of Manipur till further orders.
6) Debris of the AirAsia plane QZ 8501 recovered: After three days of intense search, at least 40 bloated bodies and debris of the missing AirAsia aircraft carrying 162 people were found on 30 December 2014 in the Java Sea off Indonesia but mystery remained over the cause of the crash. The Indonesian navy reported that 40 bodies had been retrieved by one warship and rescuers were continuing to recover more bodies and were "very busy now".
7) Eminent Muslim educationist Saiyid Hamid dead: Noted educationist and former vice chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University Saiyid Hamid, who played a key role in the drafting of the Rajindar Sachar Committee report on the state of Muslims in the country, died on 29 December 2014 at age 94 in New Delhi. Born in Faizabad in 1920, Hamid, who also headed Jamia Hamdard, a deemed university, in 1999, worked for the educational uplift of Indian Muslims.
8) Malayalam filmmaker Madhu Kaithapram died: Malayalam filmmaker Madhu Kaithapram, who won the National award for his much-acclaimed debut venture ‘Ekantham’, died due to diabetes related complication. The 44-year-old director was undergoing treatment for diabetes at the hospital. ‘Ekantham’, starring late thespians Thilakan and Murali, was a poignant portrayal of loneliness of the elderly. The film released in 2006 won Madhu the National award for best debutant director and Kerala state film special jury award.
No comments:
Post a Comment