he United States today condoled the death of former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and described him as an extraordinary champion of closer Indo-US relations. In a condolence message, the US said it was greatly saddened by the passing away of Mr. Mishra.

Mr. Brajesh Mishra who was suffering from coronary artery problem for some time, died in New Delhi on Friday night. The last rites of Mr. Mishra will be held tomorrow.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged his countrymen to continue the unfinished mission of former President and Afghan High Peace Council Chief Burhanuddin Rabbani. 

Addressing a ceremony to commemorate the first death anniversary of the slain leader in Kabul today President Karzai said fulfilling his mission will be the greatest tribute to his memory. The ceremony was attended a large number of Afghans including high ranking Afghan officials and leaders. 

Burhanuddin Rabbani was killed on 20th September last year by a suicide bomber posing as the Taliban emissary

 he Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of former Chief Justice of India and Member of Parliament Ranganath Mishra. Justice Mishra died on Thursday in Bhubaneshwar following a prolonged illness. He was 85. In his condolence message Dr Singh said that Justice Mishra was an eminent jurist and able parliamentarian who distinguished himself in the high public offices he held.

Indian sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has won the ‘People's Choice' Gold Medal at the second World Sand Sculpture Championship in Moscow. The celebrated sand artist sculpted replica of the showman of the millenium, Raj Kapoor's face. Mr. Pattnaik's rendition( व्याख्या) of Raj Kapoor, was highly acclaimed by visitors, who voted him for the top prize. The iconic actor is seen as the symbol of Indo-Russian Friendship.

The theme of this year's championship was ‘World cinema'. The artists were required to give their vision of famous movies from famous directors with famous actors in their sand creations. Artists from 11 countries, including India, the United States, Russia, UK, Italy and the Czech Republic, took part in the championship.
He had earlier won the Berlin world championship for his sand sculpture on spreading awareness about global warming.

Millions of fans from across the nation today bade a tearful adieu to the original superstar of Hindi Cinema -- actor Rajesh Khanna. The legendary actor’s son-in-law Akshay Kumar and grandson Aarav performed his last rites at the Vile Parle crematorium in Mumbai today. The actor’s wife Dimple Kapadia, daughter Rinkie Khanna with husband Sameer Saran and elder son-in-law Akshay Kumar led the funeral procession. Thousands lined the road as Rajesh Khanna’s body was carried away to the cremation ground in a glass casket covered with flowers.

Professor Prithvi Nath Dhar, an eminent economist who served as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the 1970s, died in New Delhi here today. He was 94 and died of age-related problems. A professor of Economics in Delhi University for many years, Dhar was one of the founders of the Delhi School of Economics.He served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary General, Research and Policy Analysis, in New York from 1976 to 1978. Dhar, who was the only person in the Prime Minister's Office those days who was not from either the IAS or the IFS, had joined the PMO in 1970.Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled his deat

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Shrimati Mrinal Gore who has been a zealous democrat, tireless worker for civic infrastructure and an inspiration to many generations of social activists. Her social reform oriented agenda and efforts showed the way for the independent Indian woman of today. Shrimati Gore's contribution to the Lok Sabha proceedings will be long remembered for the progressive vision she brought into several debates. The nation will remain indebted to her work for the poor, and the promotion of civil rights, women's rights and communal harmony.

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has said that Dara Singh proved to be an enduring role model to the youth and sportsmen of the country. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in his condolence message has said that Dara Singh was an inspiration and icon to many generations in the country .His contribution to the Hindi and Punjabi cinema and as a parliamentarian will be remembered by millions. 

Former BCCI,(Board of Control for Cricket in India) President and head of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, P M Rungta, died in Mumbai today after prolonged illness. BCCI CAO Prof Ratnakar Shetty said that Rungta passed away this morning at his Mumbai residence. He was 84-years old. Rungta had been ill for a while and had been recently operated on.

He served as the BCCI President for a three-year term between 1972 to 73 and 1974 to 75. He continued to be involved with the BCCI affairs for several years.

BCCI President N Srinivasan offered condolences on his death. In his message, Srinivasan said that Mr. Rungta was an individual who lived and breathed cricket. He said that Rungta served the BCCI with distinction as its President, and was an invaluable guide in later years.

Wrestling champion and veteran Bollywood and Silver screen actor Dara Singh is in a very critical condition at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in suburban Mumbai. The 83 year old veteran actor who is best known for his portrayals of Hanuman and Bhima in films and TV serials was admitted to emergency ward of the hospital on last evening after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was later shifted to the ICU and put on a ventilator.

Speaking to AIR this morning, Dr. Ram Narayan, executive director of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital said that the condition of the veteran actor remains very critical and is being constantly monitored on an hourly basis. He also said that the actor has been given medication to keep his blood pressure under control.

Renowned Assamese poet, Sahitya Akademi awardee Hiren Bhattacharyya has passed away in Guwahati this morning. He was admitted to hospital last month for infection. Born in 1932 in Jorhat, Hiren Bhattacharyya, popularly known as Hiruda received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1992 for Shoichar Pathar Manuh. He was also conferred Soviet Desh Nehru Purashkar for Sugandhi Pakhila.He became the Vice-President of All India Progressive Writers Association. His published anthologies of poetry include Roudro Kamona,Kobitar Rod, Tumar Bahi,Bhalpuwa Buka Mati etc. People from all walks of life condoled the death of Hiruda. Family sources said that his last rites will be performed on Thursday.