1) Mahendra
Singh Dhoni retired from Test cricket: Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 30 December
2014 surprised the cricket world with his sudden announcement of immediate
retirement from Test cricket. Announcement of Dhoni's retirement after the
wicketkeeper-batsman had played in 90 Test matches, 60 of them as captain, was
made immediately after India lost the current Test series to Australia
following a drawn third Test. Dhoni, who led India to an unprecedented two
World Cup titles (2007 Twenty20 World Championships and the 2011 ODI World
Cup), had been drawing flak for India's poor run in overseas Tests. Yet the
wicketkeeper-batsman remains one of the most successful captains ever for
India, having led the side to the top of ICC rankings in Tests in 2009.
2) Noted
journalist B G Verghese passed away: Eminent journalist B G Verghese, a
Ramon Magsaysay award winner and former editor of leading dailies Hindustan
Times and Indian Express, passed away on 30 December 2014 at the age of 87
after brief illness. Verghese, who authored many books, was editor of Hindustan
Times from 1969 to 1975 and The Indian Express from 1982 to 1986. He was also
information adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1969 but was
critical of her for imposing the Emergency in 1975. His books include Waters of
hope, India's North East, Fourth Estate (2005) and his autobiography First
Draft: Witness to Making of Modern India.
3) Nation
remembered Dr. Vikram Sarabhai on his 43rd death anniversary: Nation on 30
December 2014 remembered Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai for his contribution
towards India’s space research and development on his 43rd death anniversary.
The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangaluru
in 1969 was one of his greatest achievements. The Indian space programme has
made a quite impressive progress through its well-integrated, self-reliant
programmes.
4) Australia
retained Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australia on 30 December 2014 regained the
Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the third cricket Test ended in an exciting draw
with a jittery India just about managing to avoid an embarrassing defeat in
Melbourne. Set an improbable target of 384 in 70 overs courtesy Shaun Marsh's
99, India's batting frailty was again exposed and they survived some anxious
moments before salvaging a draw. It ensured that India won't suffer a
'whitewash' this time around.
5) Uttarakhand
Governor Aziz Qureshi transferred to Mizoram: Uttrakhand Governor Aziz
Qureshi, who had taken the Modi government to Supreme Court for alleged
attempts to ease him out of office, was on 30 December 2014 shifted to Mizoram.
A Presidential communique said that Qureshi has been transferred and appointed
as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term till May 2017 and Meghalaya
Governor K K Paul will take his place. Paul, who was appointed as Governor of
Meghalaya on July 8, 2013, will continue to hold additional charge of Governor
of Manipur till further orders.
6) Debris
of the AirAsia plane QZ 8501 recovered: After three days of intense search,
at least 40 bloated bodies and debris of the missing AirAsia aircraft carrying
162 people were found on 30 December 2014 in the Java Sea off Indonesia but
mystery remained over the cause of the crash. The Indonesian navy reported that
40 bodies had been retrieved by one warship and rescuers were continuing to
recover more bodies and were "very busy now".
7) Eminent
Muslim educationist Saiyid Hamid dead: Noted educationist and former vice
chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University Saiyid Hamid, who played a key role
in the drafting of the Rajindar Sachar Committee report on the state of Muslims
in the country, died on 29 December 2014 at age 94 in New Delhi. Born in
Faizabad in 1920, Hamid, who also headed Jamia Hamdard, a deemed university, in
1999, worked for the educational uplift of Indian Muslims.
8) Malayalam
filmmaker Madhu Kaithapram died: Malayalam filmmaker Madhu Kaithapram, who
won the National award for his much-acclaimed debut venture ‘Ekantham’, died
due to diabetes related complication. The 44-year-old director was undergoing
treatment for diabetes at the hospital. ‘Ekantham’, starring late thespians
Thilakan and Murali, was a poignant portrayal of loneliness of the elderly. The
film released in 2006 won Madhu the National award for best debutant director
and Kerala state film special jury award.
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