MS Subbalakshmi (1916 - 2004)

MS at her best 

MS Subbalakshmi died peacefully in her sleep on December 11th 2004 at St. Isabels Hospital, Chennai of broncho pneumonia and cardiac irregularities. She was the greatest vocalist that the Carnatic world has ever seen. Born in Madurai, she went on to become a national icon. Her admirers include Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and C. Rajagopalachari. She lent her voice for the song "Vaishnava Janato ", a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi. Her best song was "Kurai Ondrum Illai" penned by Rajaji. She immortalized many songs, bajans and Annamacharya kirthanas. She won a lot of accolades including Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award.
Along with her she carried the rich tradition of South India and was the real ammbassdor for the culture for nearly seventy years. She stopped singing after her husband died in 1997
With her passing away, a cavity has been created in the Carnatic world that may never ever be filled.

PVN - A Visionary

He opened the gates from outside for Indians and from inside for the FIIs and multinationals. He introduced our current Prime Minister to the world. He took India from darkness to light. He unveiled the power of Indian democracy. He is PV Narasimha Rao, the Indian Prime Minister who broke the shackles of the Nehru-Gandhi rule and brought India to the real people, by leading the nation for a full five year term during a time of turmoil and unstability. We are still riding on his reforms. Let us pray for his recovery while he is critically fighting for his life at the AIIMS. His legacy may be tarnished by the reports of scams against his family and party men. But his works will be remembered for the next few decades while India leads herself to the top of the world. Get well soon, sir.

Oops! He is gone!

Contemporaries - Today vs Yesteryear

Just as Kumble surpassed Kapil to become the leading Indain wicket taker in Tests, Sachin is eyeing to push Gavaskar down in the batting department. While this is a moment of pride for the younger duo, no credit can be taken away from their seniors. Sure; Sachin and Kumble are inspirational role models for the Indian youth. But they are nowhere close to what Sunny and Paji achieved. Together they can stake the claim of putting India in the World Cricketing map. They are the sole creators of the madness with which cricket is being followed in the subcontinent.