KK’s untimely death, devastating
Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, whose mellifluous voice gave India some of Bollywood’s biggest hit songs of the 1990s and 2000s, died of cardiac arrest after successfully performing in an auditorium packed with thousands of his devoted fans in Kolkata recently. He was just 53.
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Born in Delhi in 1968, KK initially used to sing for a rock band during his college days and had a brief stint as a marketing executive after his graduation. But later KK decided to leave Delhi and come to Mumbai to follow his passion for music. With no mentor in the competitive recording industry, he initially struggled to make a name for himself, resorting to singing at hotels to make ends meet. He broke into Bollywood in 1996 with the movie “Maachis” (“Matchstick”), about the rise of the Sikh insurgency in Punjab.
As a playback singer, KK became the voice of Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan. He recorded about 3,500 jingles in 11 languages, mostly in Hindi, and released popular albums like “Pal” (“Moment”) in 1999 and “Humsafar” (“Co-Traveler”) in 2008.
But it was his work in the Hindi music industry that made him the voice of a generation.
KK was the voice behind several iconic romantic songs many of which were produced by music composer Pritam and duo Vishal-Shekhar. His biggest hits included Tadap Tadap Ke, Khuda Jaaney, Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai and Dus Bahane.
His ability to evoke anger, passion and yearning that had been largely excluded from the vocabulary of pop songs solidified his position in the music industry, spurring a new genre of rock-style music that featured slick sounds of the electric guitar and drums.
A great world-class singer like KK will be definitely missed by all his devoted fans like us with his passing over. There are some people who we have never met personally but somehow they have become an inseparable part of our lives and KK was one such great personality. We will miss you KK. May the almighty lord grant you eternal rest in heaven. Surely, you must be entertaining the Gods and all the angels in heaven from now on. RIP to a legend.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Ordering liquor online
We are all too familiar with food ordering apps which makes it possible for citizens to order food from their favourite restaurants from the comfort of their homes. There are also apps which deliver groceries at one’s doorsteps in quick time. Now alcohol consumers in the country can also order drinks from home. There are reportedly several companies that offer online liquor delivery service. However, a new Hyderabad-based start-up has brought in cheer for alcohol lovers in Kolkata. A delivery aggregator reportedly promises to deliver liquor at one’s doorsteps in just ten minutes. It seems that time is of essence even if one has to have drinks. The delivery system picks up liquor from the nearest wine shop by using innovation which predicts consumer behaviour and other patterns. It is understood that most of the apprehensions associated with liquor delivery such as delivery to underage persons, adulteration, excessive consumption, etc, have been addressed.
This delivery of liquor at home could go a long way in reducing road accidents due to drunken driving. It must be said that Goans drink responsibly. Many Goans prefer to have drinks in the comfort of their homes. They could have liquor bottles stocked in their homes. However, there could be times when they could run short of liquor. It is at times like these that ordering liquor online could come handy.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Hardik bhadai ho
After days of speculation, Hardik Patel joins the ruling party in Gujarat, are we surprised, no, as we see a lot of politicians switch sides during elections or even otherwise. But he is the same Hardik Patel who had very serious charges of sedition against him. A few simple questions that the nation wants to know:
1) Hardik Patel was charged with serious charges of sedition (anti-national activities or desh drohi), then how come he has been welcomed by the ruling party and he becomes a national hero now. (desh bhakt).
2) Earlier Hardik has criticised the Prime Minister and the Home minister on many occasions, but all is forgiven now, there are many who still lie in jail waiting for a fair trial as they too had an opinion against the ruling establishment. Does it mean all of them can be forgiven and be accorded a hero’s welcome if they also join the ruling party?
3) And lastly, 14 people lost their lives due to violence during the patidar agitation in 2015. The loved ones of those who died, don’t need sympathy but empathy as they have seen the fate of these agitations in front of them, can we justify these acts?
We as a nation have stopped asking questions and the media has kept us busy with wedding ceremonies of star kids and lots of IPLs, and hence we get loads of it, so enjoy.
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Cardinals of Goa
Let us begin with Cardinals of Goa who served the church outside India. The first cardinal of Karachi, Pakistan was a Goan by name Cardinal Joseph Anthony Cordeiro. He was born in Bombay and later he became the Archbishop of Karachi on May 7, 1958. He became Cardinal of Karachi on March 5, 1973. The second cardinal of Karachi, Pakistan was cardinal Joseph Couto. He was born in Amritsar, Punjab on July 21, 1945 to become the Archbishop of Karachi on January 25, 2012 and later became Cardinal of Karachi on June 28, 2012.
These were the Goans who served as Cardinals in Pakistan. Now let us see the Goan Cardinals who served the church outside Goa. Cardinal Valerian Gracias was the first cardinal of Bombay. He was born on October 23, 1900 in Karachi to the Goan parents from Dramapur. On December 4, 1950 Pope Pius Xll elevated him to be the first Archbishop of Bombay. On January 4, 1953 Pope John XXIII elevated to be the first Cardinal of Bombay. He died in the year 1978 on September 11.
The second cardinal of Bombay was Cardinal Ivan Dias who was born in Bandra on April 14, 1936 to Goan parents from Velsao. On November 8, 1996 he became the ninth Archbishop of Bombay and second Goan in Bombay. On February 21, 2001 Pope Paul Il appointed him the cardinal of Bombay. He died in 2017 on June 19. The third Cardinal of Bombay is Cardinal Oswald Gracias who was born on December 24, 1944 to the Goan parents in Orlim. On June 28, 1997 Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and then he was elevated as Archbishop of Bombay on October 14, 2006. And then he became Cardinal of Bombay on November 24, 2007 and till date he is the cardinal of Bombay.
And now after 465 years the archdiocese of Goa gets its first Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao. He was born on January 20, 1953 in Aldona. Ordained priest on October 28, 1979, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman on December 20,1993. And on December 12, 2003 he was appointed Archbishop of Goa and Daman also Patriarch of East Indies. On March 21, 2004 he became the full fledged Archbishop of Goa and Daman. On March, 29, 2022 Pope Francis announced that the Archbishop of Goa and Daman will be elevated to the rank of Cardinal on August 27,2022. After that there will be two Goa Cardinals in India Cardinal Oswald Gracias is already in Bombay and cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao will be in Goa August 27, onwards.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
