Kasargod: Freedom fighter, renowned writer, Nadoja Kayyara Kinjanna Rai died at 101 years at his home in Badiyadka on Sunday noon.

Born on 8 June 1915 to Durgappa Rai and Deyakka, in Peradala Kinjanna Rai has his hands on many fields.

He was suffering from old age diseases since few days and on Sunday noon he went on eternal journey. He is survived by 6 sons and two daughters.

MA graduate Mr. Rai wrote poems and literature in many languages including Kannada, Tulu, Konkani and Sanskrit. He fought for the unity of state and always said Kasargod is the part of Karnataka State. He was also a teacher and had received national award as best teacher.

He had presided over the Akhila Bhrata Kannada Sahitya Sammelan held at Mangaluru.

Mangaluru: MLA J.R.Lobo paid tribute to former president in Mangaluru. More than thousand students from 10 different colleges attended the program. Mayor Jacinta, corporator Vinay Raj, Prakash Salian, Rajanish, AICC member Mohan and others paid homage to the noble man. Sulya: Homage paid to the great teacher in Green view education institution. District planning committee member K.M.Mustafa said that APJ showed how a teacher can change the society and said he is a living example of it.

He said through dedication and hard work he exhibited that a common man can achieve great success.

Convener of the school B.S.Shareef presided over the program. Head Master B.P.Amarnatha, N.A.Abdulla, K.B.Ibrahim and others were present. Even Working Journalist association of Sulya paid the tribute to Missile Man. Jagannath Shetty Bala inaugurated the program by lighting up the lamp. He said that the man who sold daily news papers came in front page through his hard work and determination.

President of the association Girish Adpangaya presided over the function. M Meenakshi Gowda, Jayaprakash Kukketi and others were present.

Popularly called the "Missile Man" of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all all sections, especially the young.

A devout Muslim and son of a boat owner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on 18 July 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.

Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. Getty ImagesFormer President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. Getty Images
The country's first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.

Acknowledged as the driving force behind India's quest for cutting-edge defence technologies, Kalam's contributions to India's satellite programmes, guided and ballistic missiles project, nuclear weapons programme and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project made him a household name.

Born and raised in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on 15 October 1931, Kalam, who is known for having a unique style, joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after studying physics and aerospace engineering after graduating from Madras Institute of Technology.

Mainly focusing on research in defence and space arena, he later involved himself in the India's missile programme. His contribution to the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology earned him the named as the "Missile Man of India".

Kalam, who received several prestigious awards including Bharat Ratna, played a crucial role when India tested its nuclear weapons at Pokhran in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was in power.
A vegetarian bachelor, Kalam was quoted as saying that like most of the technology he spearheaded, he himself was "Made in India", having never been trained abroad.
Kalam succeeded K R Narayanan and served a full five-year term from 2002 until 2007 after he won the Presidential elections which was a highly one-sided contest with Lakshmi Sahgal, a revolutionary of the Indian Independence movement, as his rival. He secured the backing of all political parties.

With his appointment, Kalam became the first scientist and first ever bachelor to occupy the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
During his tenure as President, Kalam came up for criticism for his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 out of 21 mercy petitions.
Kalam acted on only one mercy plea in his 5-year tenure, rejecting the plea of rapist Dhananjoy Chatterjee, who was hanged thereafter.

He answered critics over the delay in deciding on the mercy plea of Afzal Guru, who was on the death row after he was convicted of the terror attack on Parliament, saying he had not received any papers from the government. Guru was subsequently hanged.

Kalam also faced criticism over his assent from abroad to the controversial decision to impose President's rule in Bihar in 2005. He, however, sought to dismiss the criticism, saying he has no regrets.
Kalam on one occasion showed that he too was not a rubber stamp-like Constitutional head by refusing to approve the Office-of-Profit Bill. It was an unexpected response that sent tremors across the
political establishment, especially the ruling Congress and its leftist allies.

The next day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was left to explain the matter to the President and somehow get his consent for the Prevention of Disqualification (Amendment) Bill 2006.
Known for his unique interactive skills, Kalam made it a point to involve students in his speeches and lectures irrespective of their age-group.

After the lectures, he would often ask students to write to him and he did not fail to respond to many messages that he got.
For his contribution to the missile programme, he was awarded with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in 1997. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan in 1990.
Post-presidency, Kalam worked as a visiting professor at Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Ahmedabad and Indore and several research and academic institutions across the country and world.

He authored several books with the 'Wings of Fire', 'India 2020' and 'Ignited Minds' being the most read best-sellers.
Kalam's father owned boats which he rented out to local fishermen, but he himself began his career as a newspaper vendor.

Chennai: Southern music composer MS Viswanathan, who has over 750 films to his credit, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday. He was 87. MSV, as he was fondly called by the members of Tamil filmdom, was undergoing treatment at Fortis Malar hospital for old-age related ailments and breathing problem.

"He passed away around 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday," a family source told IANS. Popular for composing music in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam industries, MSV started his career as a composer for 1952 film Tamil "Panam" starring Sivaji Ganeshan.

MSV was popular for his collaboration with fellow composer T K Ramamurthy. The duo composed music for 86 Tamil films during their association of over a decade.

Having started composing together in 1952, they split up in 1965. Some of their best films include "Paasamalara, "Sumaithaangi", "Server Sundaram", "Aayirathil Oruvan" and "Enga Veetu Pillai".

Post the separation, MSV went on to become more successful. Viswanathan's solo hits include "Bama Vijayam", "Galatta Kalyanam", "Deivamagan", "Moondru Dheivangal", "Rickshawkaran", "Bharatha Vilas" and "Ulagam Sutrum Valiban".

Popularly known as 'king of light music' (Mellisai Mannar), Vishwanathan has also worked in Malayalam films such as "Manthrakodi", "Babu Mon", "Ullasa Yathra" and "Amme Anupamea".

In Telugu, his compositions include "Tenali Ramakrishna", "Anthuleni Katha", "Idhi Katha Kaadu", "Aakali Rajyam" and "Maro Charitra". MSV and legendary filmmaker K. Balachander combination had produced several evergreen classics.

Viswanathan's wife Janaki died in 2012. A year later, his best friend and composer T K Ramamurthy too died. He is a recipient of Kalamamani and several other music awards.

MSV is survived by four sons and three daughters. His last rites will be performed on Wednesday.

Bajpe: Member of Gurupura gram panchayat and leader of congress party Yashavanthi Alva (62) a resident of Mutthur near Ganjimutt demised due to cardiac arrest on Sunday July 5 at her son’s house in Kadri Shivabagh.

She started her carrier as Ganjimutt panchayat member. She was elected as member of jilla panchayat 3 times. She had also won the recent jilla panchayat election.

Being a heart patient Alva was under medication. She breathed her last on Sunday. Party leaders former union minister Janardhan Poojary, ministers Ramanath Rai, Vinaya Kumar Sorake, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Moidin Bava, J.R Lobo and many others paid their last homage to the departed soul.  

Surathkal: Seer of Sunkadakatte Shri Ambika Annapoorneshwari temple Shri Niranjana Swamiji demised after brief illness on Wednesday May 20. He was 84.

Swamiji was wellknown for his spiritual guidance and his service towards education. Niranjan swamiji had founded Shri Kshetra Sunkadakatte in Bajpe and worshipped Goddess Ambika Annapoorneshwari as main deity. He also constructed a temple at Jacob circle, Saat Rasta, Mumbai.

He was famous among film fraternity and businessmen in Mumbai. He used his contacts to raise fund for his educational institution. From first grade college to polytechnic Niranjan Swamiji tried to provide all kinds of education to the poor and needy people.

He was suffering from physical ailments and he was hospitalized many days ago. But on Wednesday he breathed his last leaving his admirers and followers in sorrow.    

Mumbai: The Ex-President of Karnataka Vishwakarma Association Kolakadi Janardan T Acharya was paid homage by people at Adamaru Matt in Andheri on 26 March.

KVA president Nitte Damodar Acharya remembered the honesty and selfless service of Janardhan achrya to the society.

K.Keshava Acharya president of Shimad Anegundi Jagadguru Mahasamstana saraswati Prathistan, said that Janardhan Acharya was devoted to the service of God, Guru and the Society.

Mangaluru Canara Jewellers Dhananjay Palke, K.Mohan, Vadiraj Acharya, Ganesh Kumar and others were present.

Riyadh:  After battling for life in a Riyadh hospital since December, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz breathed his last on Friday January 23, 1am.

His funeral is set for this afternoon in Mecca. Abdullah came to power in 2005 after his half-brother King Fahd died. He is the man behind OPEC and a U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda.

Abdullah, thought to have been born in 1923, had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2006, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke. Abdullah was succeeded by his 79-year-old half-brother, Crown Prince Salman, the royal court said in a statement. King Salman has named his half-brother Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.