January 2019 Persons in News

Sakshi Education

Shivakumara Swamiji, 'walking god' of Karnataka, passes away at 111
Supercentenarian Shivakumara Swamiji, popularly known as "Nadedaduva Devaru" (Walking God) in Karnataka, passed away in Tumakuru at 11.44 am on 21 January, 2019 following ill health. He was 111 years old. Shivakumara Swamiji was being treated for lung infection and other age-related ailments for the last few months and was on ventilator for the last one week on and off.

Shivakumara Swami was a noted religious figure and humanitarian who headed the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, which has been providing free education, shelter and dasoha (food) to thousands of children from different parts of the state for decades. He was also founder of many educational institutions which offer courses in traditional learning as well as modern science and technology. The Swami’s work over the decades helped the Mutt administration to expand the number of educational institutions to around 130 spread over different parts of the state.
New Delhi appoints new envoys for Israel, South Africa, Bhutan, Maldives
In a major reshuffle of ambassadorial appointments, the Ministry of External Affairs has decided on sending new Ambassadors to Israel, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and Vietnam.
- India’s High Commissioner to South Africa - Ruchira Khamboj.
- Sanjeev Singla - Israel
- Manpreet Vohra - Mexico,
- Muktesh Pardeshi - New Zealand.
- Pranay Verma - Vietnam.
- Sudhakar Dalela, will head to Chicago as Consul-General.
- Harsh Shringla - Washington and
- Ruchi Ghanshyam - London
Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan passes away at 81 after prolonged illness
Veteran Bollywood actor-director-writer-comedian and a Quran scholar, Kader Khan died after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Toronto in Canada, his son confirmed on 01 January, 2019. Kader Khan, 81, is survived by his wife Hajra, son Sarfaraz, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

Kader Khan was suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease that causes loss of balance, difficulty in walking and dementia. He had also contracted pneumonia and had complained of difficulty in breathing. He was on ventilator for over a week.

Kader Khan was born in Kabul in Afghanistan and held a Masters diploma in engineering. He was known for his impeccable comic timing in Bollywood movies and was not only a renowned actor but also a prolific script writer. He got his first break as a script writer with the Rajesh Khanna movie Roti. He had written scripts for over 300 movies before he moved on to full time acting.

Kader Khan made his debut in the 1973 Hindi film Daag along with Rajesh Khanna. He gained popularity as a villain in his movies from the 1980s such as Farz Aur Kanoon, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Samraat, Justice Chaudhury, Mawaali, Maqsad and Naya Kadam. He started acting in comic roles only from the late 80s, beginning with Himmatwala and Aaj Ka Daur. He won the Best Filmfare Comedian Award for Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri in 1991.
Indian-American takes oath as Fort Bend County Judge in Texas
Indian-American KP George has been sworn in as the Fort Bend County Judge, becoming the first person from the community to hold the office of one of America's most diverse counties.

George, 53, a Democrat and Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustee, defeated Republican Judge Robert Hebert in November polls.

In the US, county judges' duties vary from state to state.

Depending upon the size of the county, they perform a wide range of judicial and administrative duties. The Fort Bend County in Texas has a sizeable population of Indian-Americans.
B Radhakrisnan selected as 1st Chief Justice of Telangana
Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radhakrishnan sworn in as the first Chief justice of Telangana High Court on 01 January, 2019. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan administered oath to him at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, judges, lawyers and senior officials attended the ceremony. Justice Radhakrishnan had been serving as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for both the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh since July 2018.

Narasimhan later left for Vijayawada to administer oath to Justice Praveen Kumar as the acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad had been serving as common high court of the two states since June 2014 when Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to carve out Telangana. Last week, the Central government issued a notification for bifurcation of the High Court between the two states.