People in News

Noted environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal was named among the ‘30 heroes of environment’ on October 6, 2008.

The 65-year-old prominent women’s rights activist became Australia’s first-ever female Governor-General on September 5.

LN Mittal, the chairman of the world’s largest steel-making company, was selected chairman of the World Steel Association on October 6, 2008.

Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy on September 26 became the first person to fly across the English Channel from France using only a jet-powered wing.

Mr Arun Ramanathan was appointed Finance Secretary on September 23, 2008.

Senior lawyer Mr Shashank Manohar was elected President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India on September 27, 2008.

Bombay Samachar Director Hormusji N Cama was elected President of the Indian Newspaper Society on September 20.

India’s Viswanathan Anand overcame Russian Vladimir Kramnik by drawing Game 11 of the 12 game series in Bonn on October 29 to become the world chess champion. Anand had earlier won the world title in 2000 and 2007.

Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed, a former political prisoner won in the Maldives' first democratic presidential election, on October 29. In the election Nasheed won 54.21 percent to 45.79 percent for incumbent leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Pope Benedict XVI declared Sister Alphonsa a saint of the Roman Catholic Church at the sprawling St Peter's Square on Sunday, October 12. Sister Alphonsa is the first Indian woman to be elevated to sainthood. Sister Alphonsa, who was born in Kudamaloor village, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 at Kottayam, 40 years after her death. Pope Benedict XVI decided to canonize her in March this year. She will be the second saint from India after Gonsalo Garcia, born in Vasai near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father in 1556.