Panaji/Delhi, December 26, 2025: India observed the first death anniversary of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the country’s 13th Prime Minister and a key architect of India’s economic liberalization. Dr. Singh passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of humility, integrity, and transformative policymaking.
Leaders from the Indian National Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge, paid floral tributes to Dr. Singh, remembering his landmark initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information Act (RTI), and programs that helped lift over 20 crore people out of poverty.
Tributes poured in from political allies as well. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged his contributions to governance and national development. Even his critics, including activist Prashant Bhushan, expressed regret, praising Dr. Singh’s decency, humility, and principled approach to public service.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, following his pivotal role as Finance Minister in 1991, is remembered as a period of steady economic growth, social welfare reforms, and measured, thoughtful leadership. Across India, citizens and political figures alike commemorated his life, contributions, and enduring influence on India’s political and economic landscape.
India mourns the loss of one of its greatest sculptors as Ram Vanji Sutar, the visionary artist behind the iconic Statue of Unity, passed away late on Wednesday night, December 17, 2025, at his residence in Noida. He was 100 years old.
Confirming the news, his son Anil Sutar shared a heartfelt message stating, “It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence.”
Born on February 19, 1925, in the small village of Gondur in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Ram Sutar’s journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim is a story of talent, perseverance, and artistic devotion. Drawn to sculpting from a young age, he went on to become a gold medallist from the prestigious JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai.
Over a career spanning several decades, Sutar shaped India’s visual identity through monumental works that celebrate leadership, sacrifice, and national pride. Among his most admired creations are the meditating statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, both located within the Parliament premises.
His most celebrated masterpiece, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, stands as the world’s tallest statue and honors Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Rising 182 metres, the monument has become a global symbol of India’s unity, strength, and engineering excellence.
Ram Sutar’s legacy lives on not only through stone and bronze, but through the inspiration he offered generations of artists. His work transformed public spaces into sites of reflection, pride, and historical memory.
India remembers him not just as a sculptor, but as a storyteller in stone — whose art will continue to speak for centuries.
Simone Tata, the pioneering business leader who transformed Lakmé into India’s most recognisable beauty brand and laid the foundation for the retail giant Trent Ltd, passed away early Friday at the age of 95. She had been recovering from an illness and was undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital since August, following initial care at King’s Hospital in Dubai.
She is survived by her son Noel Tata, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya, and Leah. She was also the stepmother of former Tata Group chairman, Ratan Tata.
From Geneva to India: A Remarkable Journey
Born Simone Naval Dunoyer in Geneva, Switzerland, she first visited India as a tourist in 1953. Love brought her back to the country, and in 1955 she married Naval H. Tata. Her association with the Tata Group began in the early 1960s, marking the start of one of India’s most impactful corporate careers.
Shaping India’s First Homegrown Beauty Powerhouse
Simone Tata’s formal entry into the Tata business ecosystem came in 1961 when she joined the board of Lakmé, then a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO), which was known for brands like Hamam and Modi Soaps.
At a time when India’s beauty market was either dominated by foreign brands or underserved, she envisioned a cosmetics line created specifically for Indian women. Under her leadership, Lakmé grew from a modest company into a pioneering, trusted Indian beauty brand. In 1982, she became chairperson, earning the title “Cosmetic Czarina of India.”
The HUL Era and a Strategic Pivot
In the post-liberalisation period, Lakmé Ltd entered a 50:50 joint venture with Hindustan Unilever to create Lakmé Unilever Ltd in 1996, combining Lakmé’s cosmetic strength with select HUL brands. Two years later, in 1998, Lakmé divested its brands to HUL in a landmark deal valued at approximately ₹200 crore.
The sale marked a turning point. Instead of exiting the consumer space, Simone Tata shifted focus to retail—an industry then ripe for organised players. This vision led to the creation of Trent Ltd.
The Birth of Trent Ltd
After the sale to HUL, the company began its transformation by acquiring Littlewoods International (India) in March 1998, which was engaged in ready-to-wear retail. Lakmé Ltd was later merged with Trent, and the entity was officially renamed Trent Ltd, laying the foundation for a powerful homegrown retail empire.
Today, Trent operates successful formats like Westside and Zudio, both of which stand as testaments to Simone Tata’s foresight, strategy, and belief in modern Indian retail.
A Legacy Etched in Corporate History
Simone Tata’s contributions shaped two major Indian industries—beauty and retail. Her leadership style, long-term vision, and pioneering spirit continue to influence India’s consumer landscape. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on in every Lakmé product, every Westside store, and every woman she empowered to embrace beauty confidently.
Legendary Actor Dharmendra Passes Away: End of an Era in Indian Cinema
Indian cinema today mourns the loss of one of its most celebrated legends — Dharmendra, the beloved “He-Man” of Bollywood, who passed away leaving behind a monumental legacy spanning over six decades.
Dharmendra, known for his effortless charm, emotional depth, and rugged screen persona, became one of India’s most adored stars since the 1960s. From romantic classics to action-packed dramas and heartwarming family entertainers, his versatility contributed immensely to shaping the golden era of Hindi cinema.
Born Dharam Singh Deol, he rose to become a household name through landmark films such as Sholay, Satyakam, Anupama, Seeta Aur Geeta, Chupke Chupke, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and Dharam Veer. His on-screen chemistry with Hema Malini and his iconic partnership with Amitabh Bachchan created some of Bollywood’s most memorable moments.
Beyond the screen, Dharmendra was cherished for his humility, simplicity, and warmth — qualities that endeared him to colleagues, fans, and younger generations of actors alike.
The film fraternity has expressed profound grief, remembering him as a towering figure who defined the spirit of Hindi cinema. Tributes continue to pour in from across the world as fans commemorate his impact, influence, and artistry.
With his passing, Indian cinema loses not just a star, but a timeless storyteller whose work will continue to live on in the hearts of millions.
Dubai-based travel influencer and photographer Anunay Sood has passed away at the age of 32. The news has left the travel and content creator community in deep shock and grief.
Anunay, who had over 1.4 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 lakh subscribers on YouTube, was known for his breathtaking visuals, global travel stories, and motivational travel insights.
The cause of his death has not yet been revealed. His family shared a statement on his official Instagram page that read:
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of our beloved Anunay Sood’s passing. We kindly ask for your understanding and privacy as we navigate this difficult time. We humbly request you to avoid gathering crowd near personal property. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. May his soul rest in peace.”
Fans and fellow creators across platforms have expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the late influencer. Known for his inspiring travel stories, humility, and positivity, Anunay’s legacy continues to live through his creative work and the memories he shared with the world.
