With the Covid pandemic unrelenting in its second year, the grim reaper found his way into many famous homes taking away their residents. Untimely demises due to death by suicide to accidents, we bid adieu to notable politicians, artists, celebrities, journalists, who inspired people with their creativity, humanity, and notable works.
With 2022 barely a fortnight away, let’s take a look at the bold and the beautiful who left for us in 2021.
Dilip Kumar
Born as Yousuf Khan, legendary Dilip Kumar enthralled Indian cinema lovers with his unmatched acting. The actor’s actor passed away on July 7, 2021, after prolonged age-related ailments leaving Indian cinema poorer and desolate in the age of OTTs pipping theatres and multiplexes. He was 98.
Mannu Bhandari
Renowned novelist and teacher, Mannu Bhandari was popular for her short stories and novels like Mahabhoj and Aap Ka Bunty. She passed away on November 15, 2021, in Gurugram. She was 90.
Sidharth Shukla
Bigg Boss 13 winner actor Sidharth Shukla shot to fame through his stint in Colors TV serial Balika Vadhu. He went on to appear in Karan Johar’s film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and several reality shows which gained him wide recognition. Sidharth passed away on September 2, 2021, due to a massive heart attack. He was 40.
Kamla Bhasin
The flagbearer of feminism in India, Kamla Bhasin raised awareness about gender inequalities and their consequent rights through her poetry, songs, and books. She passed away on September 25, 2021, after she was diagnosed with an advanced form of liver cancer. She was 75.
Danish Siddiqui
Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed on July 16, 2021, while covering a clash between Afghan and Taliban security forces. Later, the reports said that Siddiqui was tortured by the Taliban after verifying his identity. He was 38. He had shot to fame with his images chronicling the devastation the second wave of Covid-19 wreaked across Delhi with his pictures of burning funeral pyres in East Delhi.
Puneeth Rajkumar
Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar passed away due to a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021. He was 46 and his last rites were performed in Karnataka. The youngest of the three sons of Kannada film legend Rajkumar who held his own in the film-rich South India.
Rohit Sardana
Popular Indian television anchor Rohit Sardana succumbed to Covid-19 complications on April 30, 2021. He was 41 and is survived by his wife and 2 daughters.
Shravan Rathod
Shravan Rathod of the Nadeem-Shravan duo died due to Covid-19 complications on April 22, 2021. He was one of the most-accomplished music composers of the Hindi music industry. His notable works are Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin, Saajan, Sadak, to name a few.
Raj Kaushal
Indian producer-director Raj Kaushal passed away on June 30, 2021, after suffering a heart attack. He was 50 and is survived by his wife Mandira Bedi and two kids. His last directorial, Akkad Bakkad Rafu Chakkar released on November 2 this year.
Bikramjeet Kanwarpal
Bollywood actor Bikramjeet Kanwarpal died on May 1, 2021, after battling against Covid-19. He was 52 and had been a part of blockbuster films, TV shows, and web series.
Babasaheb Purandare
Padma Vibhusan Babasaheb Purandare was an Indian author and historian who passed away on November 15, 2021. He died due to age-related ailments and pneumonitis.
Nandu Natekar
Nandu Natekar, an ace Indian shuttler, was the first Indian to win a title abroad in 1956. He bagged over 100 national and international titles for the nation. He died on July 28, 2021, due to age-related medical complications. He was 88.
Surekha Sikri
Noted Indian actor Surekha Sikri died on July 16, 2021, due to a cardiac arrest. She was 75 and was ailing for a long time. Her remarkable body of work includes Badhaai Ho, Tamas, Mammo, Zubeidaa, Parinati, Nazar, and others.
Yashpal Sharma
Yashpal Sharma, India’s 1983 World Cup hero, died due to a massive heart attack on July 13, 2021. He was 66 and is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.
Milkha Singh
India’s Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh died on June 18, 2021, after a month-long battle against Covid-19. The Padma Shri awardee had lost his wife to the pandemic. He was 91 and is survived by his son and three daughters.
Sunderlal Bahuguna
Chipko Movement leader and Indian environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna succumbed to the coronavirus on May 21, 2021, at AIIMS, Rishikesh. He was 94.
Vinod Dua
Senior Indian journalist VinodDua died on December 4, 2021, after a prolonged illness following a Covid-19 infection. He was 67. In 2008, he was honoured by the Padma Shri for Journalism by the Government of India. Like Milkha Singh, Vinod Dua also lost his wife to the pandemic.
Ghanshyam Nayak
Ghanshyam Nayak aka Nattu Kaka in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah passed away on October 3, 2021. He was 77 and was battling cancer for a long time.
Nanda Prusty
Indian teacher Nanda Prusty died on December 7, 2021. He had been awarded the Padma Shri on November 9 for his contribution in the field of education and social service. He was 104.
General Bipin Rawat
The first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian armed forces, General Bipin Rawat, died on December 8, 2021, in a helicopter crash. Thirteen of the fourteen people boarded on the Mi-17V5 helicopter, including Bipin Rawat’s wife Madhulika Rawat were killed in the crash. The lone survivor passed away in less than a week.
James Michael Tyler
James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther in the popular American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S., died on October 24, 2021. He was 59 and was battling prostate cancer.
Barry Harris
American jazz pianist Barry Harris died on December 8, 2021. He was 91 and passed seven days before his 92nd birthday due to Covid-19 complications. In 2000, Barry was honoured with the American Jazz Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievements and Contributions to the World of Jazz.
Dusty Hill
ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill passed away on July 28, 2021. He is said to have died in his sleep at his residence in Houston, Texas. He was 72.
Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts, the drummer of the Rolling Stones, died on August 24, 2021. He was 80. The musician is regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and the quietest of the famously raucous Stones.
Don Everly
Don Everly was the last surviving member of the Everly Brothers. He died on August 21, 2021, and the cause of his death has not been confirmed yet. He was 84.
Christopher Plummer
Renowned Canadian actor and Broadway star Christopher Plummer died on February 5, 2021. He was 91. As per reports, he had complications from a fall. The male lead of the Sound of Music is a world-renowned star.
Phil Spector
Phil Spector died on January 16, 2021, due to Covid-19 complications. He was 81. The American musician and record producer was sentenced to jail for the murder of a woman at his residence.
Anne Rice
The Vampire Chronicles fame Anne Rice passed away on December 11, 2021. She was 80. Her novel, Interview With A Vampire, became a popular film that featured Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
Bob Dole
The Republican Party’s 1996 presidential nominee and a five-term US senator, Bob Dole died on December 5, 2021. He was 98.
FW de Klerk
FW de Klerk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, served South Africa as state president. He passed away on November 11, 2021, due to mesothelioma. He was 85. South Africa’s long walk back from the mindlessness of Apartheid was under his regime but under threat of severe economic sanctions.
Colin Powell
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell died due to Covid-19 complications on October 18, 2021. He was 84.
Willie Garson
American actor Willie Garson, who played the role of Stanford Blatch on the popular TV series Sex and the City, died on September 21, 2021. He was 57. As per reports, the actor was suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Michael K Williams
Michael K. Williams, known for his character Omar Little in The Wire, passed away on September 25, 2021. He was 54 and died due to an accidental drug overdose.
Donald Rumsfeld
US Defense Secretary during Iraq War, Donald H. Rumsfeld died on June 29, 2021. He was 88. After losing political support, he resigned in late 2006 and published an autobiography, Known and Unknown and Rumsfeld’s Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life.
Prince Philip
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. He died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021.
Paul Mooney
Paul Mooney, the Bamboozled star, passed away on May 19, 2021. The actor-comedian suffered a massive heart attack at his residence in Oakland. He was 79.
Sabah Fakhri
Sabah Fakhri was the flagbearer of traditional Arabic music Muwashahat and Qudud Halabiya. He died a natural death on November 2, 2021. He was 88.
Chick Corea
Chick Corea, the American jazz composer, passed away on February 9, 2021, due to a rare form of cancer. He was 79. His notable compositions include La Fiesta, Spain, 500 Miles High, and others.
Larry Flynt
American publisher Larry Flynt passed away on February 10, 2021. He was 78 and had a net worth of $500 million when he died.
Richard Donner
American filmmaker Richard Donner died on July 5, 2021, due to cardiopulmonary failure with atherosclerosis.
BJ Thomas
Veteran American singer BJ Thomas died on May 29, 2021. The five-time Grammy winner succumbed to complications due to lung cancer. He was 78.
Michael Collins
Michael Collins was the astronaut who flew the Apollo 11 command module Columbia around the Moon in 1969. He was the one who didn’t exit the module, his other famous co-passengers were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. He died on April 28, 2021, following a long battle against cancer.
Jim Steinman
Noted American composer Jim Steinman died on April 19, 2021, due to kidney failure. He was 73. He shot to fame with his albums like Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, Total Eclipse of the Heart to name a few.
Walter Mondale
Former Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale passed away on April 19, 2021. He died a natural death.
Rush Limbaugh
Renowned American radio personality Rush Hudson Limbaugh died on February 17, 2021. He succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 70.
DMX
Earl Simmons aka DMX was an accomplished American rapper and actor. He passed away on April 9, 2021, due to a cocaine-induced heart attack that led to a lack of circulation to his brain, as per reports. He was 50.
Stephen Sondheim
Best-known for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021. He succumbed to cardiovascular disease at the age of 91.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who became popular as South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, passed away on December 26, 2021. Reportedly, he was battling prostate cancer since the early 1990s and was hospitalised in recent years. He was 90. In 1984, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for combatting white minority rule in South Africa.
Nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic: Toll crosses 114
As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.
The iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo was bustling with musicians, athletes, and government officials when debris began to fall from the ceiling, landing in patrons’ drinks.
Tragedy struck with the collapse of the entire roof, claiming the lives of at least 98 individuals and injuring around 160 in one of the worst nightclub disasters in the Dominican Republic’s history. As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.
Among the deceased was Rubby Pérez, a beloved merengue star who had been performing just moments before the calamity. His body was recovered early Wednesday, according to emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.
Rescue teams continued to search for survivors more than a day after the incident. “We will remain here as long as there are reports of missing persons,” Méndez stated.
Assistance arrived from rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel on Wednesday to aid local officials in their efforts.
As night fell on Tuesday, families and friends still searching for their loved ones gathered outside the club, where a guitarist played soothing melodies while they sang hymns.
Only 32 victims have been identified thus far in what is marked as one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest disasters. Reports indicate that among the victims were a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, and the brother of the vice minister of Youth.
Also among the deceased are MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, as confirmed by Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the Professional Baseball League.
Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, informed President Luis Abinader about the disaster. Tragically, she called for help from beneath the rubble but later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.
Other casualties included saxophonist Luis Solís, who was performing on stage when the roof fell, several Venezuelan bartenders, and an Army officer who left behind four daughters. Grupo Popular, a financial services firm, noted that three of its employees perished, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Unfortunately, many more victims remain unidentified.
“I’ve searched all the hospitals and haven’t found her,” lamented Deysi Suriel, who was desperately trying to locate her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, during her vacation in the Dominican Republic.
Numerous anxious relatives flocked to the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to search through lists of victims, while others scoured hospitals, clutching photos of their loved ones.
“There’s a lot of pain,” commented Senator Daniel Rivera, the former public health minister. “We must exercise patience.”
Among those desperately looking for their families was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were unaccounted for.
In a bold escalation of the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies, China announced on Wednesday, April 9, that it will increase tariffs on all goods imported from the United States to 84 per cent, up from the previously stated 34 per cent.
The new tariff rate, set to take effect on April 10, marks a sharp retaliation to Washington’s recent imposition of steep duties on Chinese exports.
Last week, Beijing signalled its initial response with a 34 per cent tariff on US-origin products, reacting to fresh trade restrictions from the US.
However, following the implementation of a 104 per cent tariff on Chinese imports by the US—effective Wednesday under former President Donald Trump’s policies—China has significantly ratcheted up its countermeasures. This tit-for-tat escalation signals deepening economic tension that could disrupt global trade and supply chains.
The US tariffs, which include a baseline 10 per cent increase rolled out over the weekend and additional levies from February and March, now total a staggering 104 per cent on Chinese goods.
Trump, who returned to the presidency, had initially proposed a 34 per cent tariff hike, but after China responded with its own 34 per cent duty on American products, he vowed to add another 50 percent, bringing the total to its current level.
On Tuesday, Trump claimed that the US was “taking in almost $2 billion a day” from these tariffs, defending his strategy as a means to revive America’s manufacturing sector by forcing companies to relocate domestically.
However, the global economic fallout has been immediate and severe. Since Trump’s baseline tariffs took effect, markets worldwide have experienced dramatic sell-offs, fueling fears of a potential recession. Starting Wednesday, import tariffs from dozens of economies, including major players like India, Brazil, and the European Union, are also rising, compounding the uncertainty.
In China, senior officials, including President Xi Jinping’s top economic advisor, condemned the US moves as “unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion.” The advisor emphasized that China’s retaliatory measures are not only to protect its own interests but also to uphold international trade rules.
“Our firm response demonstrates our commitment to defending fairness in global commerce,” he stated, warning that Beijing would fight “to the end” against what it perceives as American aggression.
Trump, meanwhile, remains undeterred, arguing that higher tariffs will pressure companies to shift production back to the US.
During a speech on April 8 at a fundraising gala for House Republicans, he outlined plans to impose major tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, claiming it would incentivize firms to leave China and other countries. “We’re a very big market, and when they hear about these tariffs, they’ll open plants here,” he said.
Trump pokes fun at world leaders negotiating US tariffs, says they are dying to make a deal
“We don’t make our own pharma drugs; they’re made in other countries. The same packet that costs a certain price abroad can be priced ten times higher here,” he said.
During a fundraising gala for House Republicans, US President Donald Trump took a swipe at world leaders eager to negotiate trade deals, mimicking their desperation with a theatrical flourish. “These countries are calling us up, and trying everything,” he quipped, before imitating their pleas: “Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything, sir.”
Trump’s remarks, delivered with his signature bravado, underscored his aggressive stance on international trade as he addressed supporters at the event. He also took aim at rebel Republicans who have suggested that Congress should handle trade negotiations instead of the executive branch. “Let me tell you, you don’t negotiate like I negotiate,” he asserted, dismissing their approach with confidence.
The comments came on the heels of escalating trade tensions, particularly with China. Earlier, the White House confirmed that US tariffs on Chinese imports would jump to 104 percent starting Wednesday, April 9.
A White House official told CNBC that the increase would proceed as planned after Trump warned of a potential 50 percent hike unless Beijing lifted its 34 percent retaliatory tariffs on US goods by Tuesday’s deadline. Trump had set a firm noon deadline on Tuesday, emphasizing that China needed to act swiftly to avoid further escalation.
At the gala, Trump also revealed plans to impose significant tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, arguing that the US relies too heavily on foreign production. “We don’t make our own pharma drugs; they’re made in other countries. The same packet that costs a certain price abroad can be priced ten times higher here,” he said.
“We’re going to tariff pharma in such a way that companies will come rushing to us very soon. The advantage we have is that we’re a massive market. Very shortly, I’ll announce major tariffs on pharma, and when these companies hear that, they’ll leave China and other countries because most of their products are sold here. They’ll start opening plants in the US.”
Trump’s tariff strategy extends beyond China. Earlier this month, he announced new tariffs on imports from countries including India, Brazil, Japan, and the European Union, warning that more measures would follow. These actions have sparked uncertainty among nations and triggered volatility in global financial markets, as countries brace for potential economic repercussions.
The President’s remarks at the gala, which raised funds for House Republicans, reflect his “America First” approach, prioritizing domestic industry and reducing trade deficits. However, his mocking tone and unilateral decisions have drawn criticism from allies and adversaries alike, with some fearing a return to trade wars that could disrupt global economic stability.
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