Latest news with #Comrade
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Adieu, comrade: Achuthanandan rests after decades of struggles
Alappuzha: Former chief minister V S Achuthanandan was cremated with state honours at Valiya Chudukadu, the final resting place of many communist leaders and the martyrs of the 1946 Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, here on Wednesday night. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Heavy rain that lashed the area did not dampen the spirits of his supporters, who gathered in large numbers to catch a last glimpse of the veteran leader. Their slogans rent the air as police and red volunteers gave a final salute to the 101-year-old veteran draped in the party flag. "Comrade VS, you live on through us," the crowd chanted in unison as police gave a gun salute and sounded the bugle. His son V A Arunkumar lit the funeral pyre at 9.16 pm in the presence of VS's wife Vasumathi, daughter V V Asha, and thousands of mourners. Those who turned up to catch a final glimpse of Comrade VS included ordinary people, women and youngsters, cutting across party lines. The mortal remains were brought to the ground by 8.50 pm. Achuthanandan was cremated near the final resting place of his political guru, P Krishna Pillai. It was Pillai who identified the fighter in him when he was a boy and gave him some important challenges, like organising the farmers in Kuttanad, which the latter took up and completed successfully. The ground is also the resting place of Communist leaders like R Sugathan, T V Thomas, P K Chandranandan, K R Gowri, P T Punnoose and M N Govindan Nair, besides the martyrs of the uprising that shaped the rise of the Communist movement in the state. Earlier in the day, the funeral procession from the state capital took 22 hours to reach his hometown Alappuzha, owing to the massive turnout of people who lined the roadsides to catch a glimpse of him through the night. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 150-km journey was significantly delayed by the sheer size of the crowd that flooded the roads. His emotional bond with ordinary people was evident in the crowds, especially because he was absent from public life for more than five years. The entourage reached his Velikkakath house at 12.15pm. Senior party leaders, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, general secretary M A Baby, state secretary M V Govindan and S Ramachandra Pillai, were present at the district committee office since morning. At the Recreation Grounds in Alappuzha beach, police accorded a guard of honour, led by state police chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, to the former chief minister. The public homage at the grounds was delayed by over seven hours. People from far-off places were waiting there from the morning despite the rain, and they were allowed to pay respects after leaders and prominent personalities. The public tributes had to be stopped by 8.10pm as the funeral was getting delayed. A condolence meeting was held, immediately after the funeral, at Valiya Chudukadu. BJP leaders K Surendran and Sobha Surendran, besides Congress MP K C Venugopal and opposition leader V D Satheesan, were also among those who paid homage to the departed leader. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also paid his respects to the veteran at Haripad in the district.
News24
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
David Mabuza, former deputy president, dies at 64
Alfonso Nqunjana/News24 4m ago 8m ago Former deputy president David Mabuza dies at 64 Former deputy president David Mabuza has died. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has confirmed his death on X (formerly Twitter). He said: 'It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we learn of the passing of former Deputy President of the Republic and stalwart of our movement, Comrade David Dabede Mabuza. 'Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa. From his days in the struggle against apartheid to his leadership as Premier of Mpumalanga and later as Deputy President, he was a committed cadre who carried the values of unity, discipline, and transformation,' Mbalula said.
News24
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Former deputy president David Mabuza dies at 64
Former deputy president David Mabuza has died. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has confirmed his death on X (formerly Twitter). He said: 'It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we learn of the passing of former Deputy President of the Republic and stalwart of our movement, Comrade David Dabede Mabuza. 'Comrade Mabuza dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa. From his days in the struggle against apartheid to his leadership as Premier of Mpumalanga and later as Deputy President, he was a committed cadre who carried the values of unity, discipline, and transformation,' Mbalula said. Mbalula extended the party's heartfelt condolences to Mabuza's family, friends, comrades, and the people of South Africa. 'We have lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a leader who served with humility and conviction. May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour his legacy by continuing the work of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa,' he said. Mabuza was 64.
Pink Villa
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Vijay Deverakonda on marriage plans : It would be fulfilling to be married and have your kids — THROWBACK
Vijay Deverakonda undoubtedly remains one of the most eligible bachelors of Telugu cinema, with fans quite excited about his future wedding. Moreover, the actor has been strongly linked with his Dear Comrade co-star Rashmika Mandanna, and netizens almost believe that the two are dating. Amid all of it, let's revisit one of the actor's older interviews where he revealed his honest take on getting married and entering a new phase of life. Vijay Deverakonda on sobering down before marriage Previously, in an interview with India Today, Vijay Deverakonda explained that while he looks forward to getting married and having a family of his own someday, he still feels the need to have enough mental maturity to grow up and sober down before that. He added that, interestingly, his parents were not pressuring him to get married, but they do want him to settle down soon. The Kingdom actor said, 'My parents aren't bugging me, and they let me be. But, recently, they have been subtly hinting at marriage. I would love family life. It would be fulfilling to be married and have your kids. There will be a time I will do that. But I need more mental maturity to do that. I need to grow up and sober down.' Vijay claimed marriage cannot be taken for granted The actor then mentioned that he still feels like a kid and doesn't feel answerable to anyone, a fact that he must change if he ever wishes to get married. Nonetheless, Vijay highlighted that he does not want to take things for granted in marriage and especially toward his future partner, and so is happily buying some time before taking the giant leap of faith. What are the qualities Vijay Deverakonda looks for in his future partner? Moving on, Vijay Deverakonda went on to reveal the kind of qualities he looks for in his future partner someday. The actor admitted saying, 'I want someone who is kind, funny, and someone who you can chill with. If you're ever in lockdown, you shouldn't be frustrated with them. That's the first rule. It should feel like a holiday, and she needs to tick that box.' Vijay-Rashmika's relationship murmurs Lately, rumors are rife that Vijay Deverakonda is dating Rashmika Mandanna. The duo is often spotted hanging out together, and more recently, they were even seen traveling in the same car. However, neither of them has ever accepted or denied any of the buzz.
TimesLIVE
06-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Gerda Steyn has two options for rare Comrades Up-Down pairing triumph
Should defending Comrades champions Gerda Steyn and Piet Wiersma emerge victorious again on Sunday, they will become the first women's and men's pair to claim Up and Down crowns together since 2011. The feat has been achieved only on four occasions, probably reduced by the fact that women were allowed to enter officially only from 1975. Two years after that the first pairing claimed the double, with Germiston Callies Harriers runners Alan Robb and Lettie van Zyl going Down-Up-Down in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Robb, a four-time winner of the Comrades, owns the record for most gold medals, awarded to top 10 finishers, with 12, one ahead of Bruce Fordyce. Fordyce, winner of a record nine Comrade titles — eight of them in a row from 1981 to 1988 — achieved the Up-Down feat with two women over five consecutive years.
