India mourns the loss of legendary playback singer P Jayachandran, who passed away on Thursday evening in Kerala. Revered for his exceptional voice and heartfelt renditions, Jayachandran’s death has drawn tributes from prominent leaders and admirers across the nation.

PM Modi’s heartfelt tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the veteran singer. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Prime Minister wrote,
“Shri P. Jayachandran Ji was blessed with a legendary voice that conveyed a wide range of emotions. His soulful renditions across various languages will continue to touch hearts for generations to come. Pained by his passing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief.”

Kerala leaders remember a cultural icon

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also shared his condolences, calling Jayachandran an irreplaceable cultural icon. “P. Jayachandran’s passing marks the loss of a musical maestro whose voice transcended boundaries, infusing music with unparalleled warmth and emotion. More than just a playback singer, he was a symbol of artistic excellence,” he stated.

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar added, “Heartfelt condolences on the sad passing of Sri P. Jayachandran, noted singer. His endearing voice that charmed audiences for six decades will go on to soothe people’s hearts. May his soul attain Mukti.”

A legacy of music and emotion

P Jayachandran, celebrated for his contributions to Indian music, passed away at 7:55 pm while undergoing treatment. Reports indicate that he had been unwell for some time and collapsed at his home before being rushed to the hospital.

His mortal remains will be brought to his residence in Poomkunnam, Thrissur, on Friday, where they will be laid at the Sahitya Academy Hall for the public to pay their respects. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 3 pm at his ancestral home in Chendamangalam.

Jayachandran’s six-decade-long career, marked by his soulful renditions in multiple languages, has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry. Fans and music lovers remember him as a voice that could evoke profound emotions and bridge cultural divides.

In a harrowing incident, a 28-year-old woman was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife by a colleague in the parking lot of their company in Pune on Tuesday, allegedly because she borrowed money from him under false pretences. 

Several bystanders witnessed the horrific attack, but no one intervened. 30-year-old Krishna Kanoja, an accountant at WNS Global, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Yerawada told the police that his colleague, Shubhada Kodare had borrowed money from him several times, telling him that her father was unwell and needed treatment.

When Shubhada Kanoja asked for the money back, Kodare refused, citing her father’s condition. Subsequently, he went to her native place to corroborate her story and found that her father was okay and was suffering from no health issues. 

Later around 6 pm on Tuesday, Kanoja called Kodare to their office’s parking lot to confront her and ask for his money back. Shubhada Kodare refused, leading to an argument, and Kanoja stabbed her with a kitchen knife.

Many people who were in the parking lot saw Kanoja stab Kodare but did nothing to try and stop it. Reportedly, one or more of them even recorded the act. It was only after the woman was writhing on the ground and Kanoja threw the weapon that a crowd surrounded him and thrashed him. 

Reports stated that the Pune Police’s investigation has revealed that Shubhada Shankar Kodare had borrowed nearly Rs 4.5 lakh from the accused who was trying to threaten to pay it back. The Police said she had given the medical treatment of her father and herself as the reason to borrow the money over the past two years.

Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manoj Patil said to a publication that as per the primary information, the suspect allegedly attacked Kodare on her right elbow with a sharp weapon around 6 pm in the parking lot of the firm. He continued that it was found that the attack was a fallout of some dispute over money borrowing issue.

The Police Commissioner further asserted that the woman, Shubhada Shankar Kodare, was bleeding profusely and was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

Reportedly, Krishna Satyanarayan Kanoja was detained and based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s sister, a case was registered under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the completion of the Genome India Project (GIP) on Thursday, describing it as a pivotal moment in the nation’s biotechnology arena.

He noted that the project, which received approval five years ago, was successfully completed thanks to the relentless efforts of our scientists, who overcame obstacles posed by the Covid pandemic.

During his address, Modi highlighted the contributions of over 20 esteemed research institutions, including IISc, IITs, CSIR, and DBT-BRIC, that played key roles in this research initiative.

He announced that the genomic sequences of 10,000 Indians are now housed at the Indian Biological Data Center, expressing confidence that this project will become a hallmark in biotechnology research. He extended his congratulations to all stakeholders involved.

“The Genome India Project is a significant milestone in the biotechnology revolution,” Modi declared. He emphasized the project’s success in creating a diverse genetic resource by sequencing genomes from 10,000 individuals representing various populations across the country. This data will be accessible to scientists and researchers, offering insights into India’s genetic landscape and greatly assisting in national policy-making and planning.

Addressing experts and scientists, the Prime Minister acknowledged India’s vast diversity—not only in food, language, and geography but also in the genetic composition of its people. He stressed the importance of understanding genetic identities to devise effective treatments, noting that the nature of diseases can vary significantly.

He specifically pointed out the challenge of sickle cell anemia among tribal communities and the national effort to address it. Modi mentioned that understanding regional variations in genetic disorders necessitates a comprehensive genetic study to recognize the unique genomic patterns within India’s population.

He asserted that this knowledge would enable the development of targeted solutions and effective medications for specific groups, emphasizing that sickle cell anemia is just one example of a broader issue.

He also highlighted the lack of awareness in India regarding many hereditary genetic diseases, stating that the Genome India Project would facilitate the development of effective treatments for such conditions.

In discussing the future, Modi stated, “The integration of biotechnology and biomass in the 21st century is foundational for establishing a developed India as a Bio Economy.” He outlined the goals of the Bio Economy, which include the optimal utilization of natural resources, promotion of bio-based products and services, and the creation of new employment opportunities in this sector. He pointed out that the Bio Economy fosters sustainable development and innovation.

The Prime Minister noted that India’s Bio Economy has seen rapid growth over the past decade, expanding from 10 billions in 2014 to 150 billion today. He emphasized the nation’s ambition to elevate its Bio Economy further and mentioned the recent launch of the Bio E3 Policy.

He articulated that this policy would help India emerge as a leader in the global biotech landscape, akin to the IT revolution, acknowledging the vital role of scientists in this mission and extending his best wishes to them.