By Tayyaba Jabbar and Sukaina Mohsin Ali

One who lives must die. That is the one undisputed truth of life. Those who made a difference in other's lives will always be remembered. In this article we are paying tribute to some of those personalities who although left this mortal world during 2004, but they will remain with us even after their death in the form of their work they accomplished during their lifetime.

HMS Choudri
Pakistan's first C-in-C, PN

Vice-Admiral Haji Muhammad Siddique Choudri departed to his eternal abode during the year just passed by. Admiral Choudri had the distinction of being not only the first Pakistani to command the Pakistan Navy, but also in fact the first Indian to be commissioned (in 1932) into the executive branch of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN). At the time of partition, Choudri Sahib happened to be the senior-most Indian officer and was involved in the division of the RIN's assets between India and Pakistan. After independence, his early years with the Pakistan Navy were spent in service abroad or at sea and it was only in the '50s that he was assigned command of the Royal Pakistan Navy.

Askari Mian Irani, Painter
Painter, Askari Mian Irani, after a brief illness passed away on January 10. Askari was a trendsetter. He rose in stature as a painter in the mid 1980s. His paintings with their Arabic script, geometric designs and prominent texture, became the most sought after objects in the local market.

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas Founder
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was assassinated in an Israeli air strike on 23rd of March. The killing of Yassin, the most prominent Palestinian targeted by Israel in 3-1/2 years of fighting, threatened to deepen the conflict, with militants pledging unprecedented retaliation, including veiled threats against the United States. Yassin's killing virtually buried hopes of reviving the roadmap, which envisioned an end to violence and the creation of a Palestinian State by next year.

Dullah Omar
Human Rights lawyer
Lawyer Dullah Omar, one of South Africa's best known human rights lawyer during the apartheid era, died of cancer on March 13. Dullah Omar established legal practice in 1960 after failing to feud for a firm that would not employ a black lawyer- and defended those who suffered under apartheid. "A patriot has gone to rest forever", a government statement said.

Syed Abid Ali Shah,
Bureaucrat & Intellectual
Former Director General, Public Relations, Punjab and former Chief Executive, BCCI Foundation, passed away on January 11. He was 75. During his illustrious career, Abid Ali Shah had served as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Censor, Secretary General of Pakistan National Council of Arts, DGPR, Punjab, Wapda and Chief Executive of BCCI Foundation. Abid Ali Shah was the father of Sarmad Ali, Group Executive Director of Marketing, Jang Group of Newspapers.

Hamid Raza Gilani, Minister
Renowned parliamentarian and Chief of the Gilani family, died in the Pakistan Institute of cardiology, Lahore on 24th January. He was 67. His political career spanned over four decades and he made his marks in the political circles with his selfless work.

Suraiyya, Indian actress
Bollywood actress Suraiyya died at age 75. She was one of the most popular pin-up girls of India's film industry in the 1940s. She died in Bombay, on the 31st of January, after a brief illness. She debuted in 1946 as a supporting actress and went on to become the highest paid film star of her time in a short span of time.

Albeiro Usuriaga, Soccer player
Former Columbian soccer player, Albeiro Usuriaga was killed by an unidentified gunman on the 11th of February. Usuriaga, 37 played in the 1990 World Cup. His career took him to Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, Venezuela and Spain.

Begum Qazi Essa
Pakistan Movement worker
Begum Qazi Essa, a renowned social worker and widow of the close companion of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and active worker of the Pakistan Movement Qazi Muhammad Essa, died in Karachi after prolonged ailment. She was 80. Begum Qazi Essa actively participated in the Pakistan movement. She had also served as the vice-president of the All Pakistan Women's Association (Apwa) Balochistan. This year, she was conferred with the Fatima Jinnah Award in recognition of her services to the cause of women.

Zelim Khan Yandurbiyev
Ex-Chechen President
Zelim Khan Yandurbiyev, was assassinated in an explosion on February 13. He was acting president in 1996-97 and had been linked to the Al-Qaida terror group.

Abdul Sattar Lalika Federal Minister
Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis and Chief whip of the ruling alliance in the N.A, Abdul Sattar Lalika, died of a heart attack on Feb 13 in Lahore. He was 51. He was elected several times to the N.A. and rendered valuable services in many different positions.

Prof Sarwar Zuberi, Gastroenterologist
Professor Sarwar Zuberi, country's eminent gastroenterologist died on 17th March. Dr. Zuberi died reportedly by contracting malaria through blood transfusion. Her death was termed a great loss to the nation.

Vijay Anand
Film maker
Veteran Indian Film maker and former Chief of the country's film censor board, Vijay Anand, was popularly known as Goldie Anand and was the younger brother of legendary Dev Anand (Actor-Director). The two produced a number of Bollywood hits such as 'Guide', 'Jewel Thief' and 'Johnny Mera Naam'. He was 72.


Estee Lauder
Cosmetic Queen
Estee Lauder left the world of glitz and glamour on the 24th of April, aged 97, due to cardiopulmonary failure. She was the founder and driving force behind the most successful beauty company in America. She was known as a dynamic leader in developing American business abroad.

Syed Mohammad Abbas, Film storywriter
Noted film story writer and director Syed Mohammad Abbas died in a private hospital in Mumbai on 16th April. He was 71. Among many films he wrote stories for are 'Parwarish'; 'Kahani Kismet Ki'; 'Kab Kyon Aur Kahan?'; 'Purnima'; 'Paras'; 'Fakir', etc. He also directed 'Hungama'; 'Sewak'; 'Shriman Satyawadi', etc. He wrote stories for more than hundred films.

Mufti Shamzai
Religious scholar
Renowned religious scholar, Mufti Shamzai was shot dead, near Jamia Binoria on Sunday 30th May. Religious scholar and Shaikh-ul-Hadees of Jamia Binoria, Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai was killed when armed men ambushed their vehicle in front of Jamia Binoria.

Irfan Siddiqui, Journalist
Famous poet, journalist and chief editor of Urdu daily Sahafat, Irfan Siddiqui passed away in Lucknow on 15th April. He was 65 and affected by brain tumour. A prominent poet of Urdu, several of Siddiqui's poetic collections include 'Canvas', 'Shab Darmiyan', 'Saat Samawat', 'Hawain', 'Dasht Maria' and 'Ishq Nama'.

Frances Shand Kydd
Frances Shand Kydd (Mother of late Princess Diana) died on after a long illness, on the 3rd of June. She was 68. She lived on an island in Scotland and had been estranged from Diana at the time of her death in 1997, and had not spoken to her for months.

Ramona Trinidad Iglesias-Jordan
Oldest lady
Formerly the world's oldest person, Ramona Iglesias died on the 29th of May in Puerto Rico, after a bout of pneumonia. Born on 31st of August, 1889, she was 114 at the time of her death.

Dr Suraiya Nisar, Gynecologist
Unidentified gunman shot dead renowned Gynecologist Dr Suraiya Nisar in Dera Ghazi Khan, on 6th of June.

Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi, Buddhist monk
Sri Lanka's most influential Buddhist monk died, aged 87 in the central town of Kandy, onJune 7th, after a brief illness. Govt. and opposition leaders both held him in high respect and often consulted Monk Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi, who was head of the Malwatte Chapter of Buddhism.

Zameer Niazi, Journalist
Veteran journalist Zameer Niazi passed away after a protracted illness at the age of 72. He had strived hard for freedom of speech and wrote a number of books on this subject.

Kang Chang Ryol, Ambassador
Kang Chang Ryol, North Korean ambassador to Bangladesh, died of cardiac failure, on the 15th of June. He was 67. He was a skilled diplomat committed to promoting good relations between the two countries.

Ray Charles, Singer and pianist
Grammy award winning crooner, Ray Charles died on the 10th of June, at the age of 73. Famous for blending the gospel and blues, he was a cultural icon, singer and pianist. Blind by the age of 7, orphan by 15 he spent his life shattering any notion of musical boundaries and defying easy definition.

Munawwar Suharwardi, Politician
Munawwar Suharwardi, a close aide of former PM and PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and spokesman of the Bilawal House, was gunned down near Gurumandir on 17th of June. He was the Information Secretary of the PPP, Sindh and declined offers to become a senator.

Maulana Manzoor Ahmed Chinioti
Religious scholar
Renowned scholar, leader of the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Movement and former MPA Maulana Manzoor Ahmed Chinioti died on the 27th of June. He was 80. He played a key role in the Terik-e-Nizam-e-Mustafa, against the Bhutto government. He founded the Khatm-e-nabowat movement, meant to curb anti-Islamic activities. He authored several books.

Marlon Brando, Actor
Hollywood's all time famous actor died on 1st July, at the age of 80. He claimed never to enjoy acting, but Marlon Brando was one of the most influential performers of his generation. His performances in "A Streetcar Named Desire," "On the Waterfront" and "The Godfather" earned him plaudits as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Kaftaro, Sunni cleric
Syria's top Sunni cleric Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kaftaro died on 1st Sep at the age of 89 after a heart attack. Kaftaro, who was elected Mufti of Syria in 1964 and had been in a hospital for about a week, having surgery for a stomach problem, when his heart failed.

Ashfaq Ahmed, Writer
Renowned writer, playwright, intellectual and broad caster Ashfaq Ahmed breathed his last at the of 79. He was well-known for his literary work and had been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his outstanding services in the fields of literature and broadcasting. He had authored over 20 books. His subtle sense of humour is reflected in his long running radio programmes and characters like "Talqeen Shah", while several TV drama series based on his memorable plays of three decades ago are still enjoyed by the audience.

Tabish Dehlvi, Urdu poet
Renowned literary personality; former broadcaster and famous Urdu poet Ustad Tabish Dehlvi passed away on September 23, after a protracted illness. He was 93. Tabish was a poet who had given more than a dozen books, such as 'Dhoop Chahoon' and 'Nimroz', to Urdu literature. His poetry and his diction had gained grounds among literary circles. In literary circles of Urdu, there were very few poets who have won the laurel as 'Ustad' because of their traditional pattern and classical taste in writing poetry.

Afreen Baig, Actress, Producer
On the 15th of October, Afreen Baig, 32, was found slain in her home in Karachi. Afreen was famous for her natural performance which she gave in many plays and serials. She also produced many famous TV serials. Before her death she was working on a joint venture with India.

Mufti Jamil Ahmed Khan & Maulana Nazeer Ahmed Tawnsvi,
Religious Scholars
Nazim of Aalmi Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwwat, Mufti Jamil Ahmed Khan & the Majlis' local Chief Maulana Nazeer Ahmed Tawnsvi were shot dead on 9th of October in Karachi. Mufti Jamil, 52, was a member of JUI's council and Nazim of Iqra Roza-tul-Itfaal, a chain of schools.

Begum Majid Malik, Educationist
Begum Amna Majid Malik, an educationist, philanthropist and founder of PECHS School & College passed away at the age of 91 on 5th of October, after a brief illness at a local hospital. She was the first Muslim girl in the Indian Sub-continent to top the matriculation exams.

Iftikhar Adeni, Civil Servant & Author
Iftikar I. A. Khan, alias Iftikhar Adeni died of a heart attack, aged 81, on the 9th of October. He was a renowned civil servant and a noted author who penned several books during his illustrious lifetime. He was the son of Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan, who was on the all India Muslim Action Committee with the Quaid.

Christopher Reeve, Actor (Superman)
Christopher Reeve (US actor), who brought comic book hero Superman to the silver screen & then championed the disabled after a riding accident left him paralysed, died of heart failure on the 10th of October. He was 52. Superman was the kind of part Reeve usually disdained. He was a stage actor at heart who preferred doing classical period plays and films that really required him to "act". He devoted himself to drumming up funds in hope of being able to walk again. He raised awareness of this issue, through his fame in a way no scientific/medical community could have.

Keith Miller, Cricketer
Australian, Keith Miller, rated one of cricket's greatest and most crowds pleasing all-rounders, died on October 11, in Melbourne, aged 84. He played in Don Bradman's Invincibles team on the '48 tour to England. He was a magnificent attacking batsmen, averaging about 37 in 55 tests & claimed 170 wickets at 22.97.

Mian Mahammed Sharif, Industrialist
Mian Mohammad Sharif, father of former PM Nawaz Sharif & former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz the Sharif died on 29th of October, of Cardiac arrest in Jeddah. He was 85.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of UAE
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died on 2nd November, at the age of 86. Sheikh Zayed has been the absolute ruler of the United Arab Emirates, for more than 30 years. Since 1966, Sheikh Zayed has ruled Abu Dhabi, which became the capital of the United Arab Emirates when the seven federations were formed in 1971.

Howard Keel, Actor
Hollywood legend Howard Keel who famous in 'Dallas' died at 85, on 7th Nov. Howard Keel, star of American musicians and later in the hit 1980's TV series 'Dallas', died of colon cancer. Keel's six foot-3 inch frame and gravely voice made him the elder, gruff rival to J R Ewing, the spoiled, arrogant Texas oil tycoon played by, Larry Hagman. Keel said "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" was his favorite film.

Sardar F S Lodi, Defence analyst
Sardar Farooq Shaukat Kahn Lodi, popularly known as Sardar F S Lodi died after protracted illness at the age of 75 on 14th September. Sardar Saheb was a renowned defence analyst and he wrote hundred of articles which were printed in different national dailies of Pakistan, in which he analysed defence perspective of Pakistan in an objective manner. He also appeared in many talk shows on TV and radio. While he was Core Commander Punjab in 1983, he became acting Governor for a short period of time during the illness of Gen Jilani who was Governor Punjab at that time. In 1984, he became the Governor of Balochistan. During this period, while he was coming from Islamabad after having a meeting with the then President, his plane crashed and he was the only survivor of this horrific incident. He also remained Federal Interior Minister for a very short period of time.

Mujeeb Alam, Singer
Celebrated film singer Mujeeb Alam died of cardiac arrest in Karachi when he was on his way to see a show with his family. Born in Kanpur in India on September 2, 1948, Mujeeb Alam started his film career in 1967 as a playback singer in the film Chakori. This was also the debut of Nadeem. Alam went on to become one of the most successful singers in Pakistan. Alam sang around 750 songs. He learnt singing from Bangladeshi musician Karim Shahabuddin. The song that brought him overnight fame was 'Wo meray samnay tasweer banay baithay hain' of the film Chakori for which Alam won the Nigar Awar. Chakori was the most famous film of Pakistan due to its musical score.

Ronald Reagan, Ex-US President & Actor
Ronald Reagan died at 93 on June 5, 2004. The conservative icon, the only native Illinoisan to become president, Reagan was plagued by Alzheimer's disease in his final years. He energised the country with his man-of-the-people image and love-of-country message.

Yasser Arafat, Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat died on November 11, at the age of 75. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for four decades of his efforts for Palestine. He had come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle against Israel, and also earned the title of 'Mr. Palestine'. He first became active in Palestinian politics while an engineering student in Cairo in the early 1950s. For over five decades, Yasser Arafat was a larger-than-life figure for those who admired him as well as those who hated and feared him, or, to be more precise, for those who hated and feared the Palestinian view of history, justice and politics. Since the late 1960s, Arafat was the icon of the Palestinian cause.

Arthur Hailey, Author
Famous author, Arthur Hailey died on the 24th of November, due to a stroke. Aged 84, he wrote big bestsellers like 'Airport' and 'Hotel', and also wrote for TV in the '40s, '50s and '60s.

P V Narasimha Rao
Former Indian Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister, India, P.V.Narasimha Rao, who launched socialist India on the path of free-market reforms in the '90s, died of a heart attack on 23rd December.

Ahmad Bashir, Writer
Noted journalist, intellectual and writer Ahmad Bashir died of liver cancer at the Services Hospital on 26th December. He was 81. Bashir was a portrait writer and he wrote profiles of people like Mumtaz Mufti, Krishan Chandar, Meera Ji, Zaheer Kashmiri, Maulana Chiragh Hasan Hasrat and Maulana Hasrat Mohani.

Mumtaz Rashdi, Social worker
Social figure of Sindh and founder of Samaj Sudhar Tehreek (SST), Mumtaz Rashdi left this mortal world during the year just passed by. She was Pakistan's first woman press attache. She was well aware of the social, economic, educational and health problems of the peasants and in particular the women and children who worked selflessly for them.

Mehmood Ali, Actor
Legendary Hindi film comedian Mehmood Ali died in the United States at the age of 72. The long-suffering actor was in Pennsylvania for medical treatment. Mehmood worked in more than 300 films in a career spanning almost three decades. His memorable films include Gumnaam, Bhoot Bangla, Padosan, Pyar Kiye Ja, Kunwara Baap, and Bombay To Goa.

Hassam Qazi, TV Actor
Hassam Qazi, a famous TV actor, passed away due to a severe heart attack at the Liaquat National Hospital at the age of 50. Hassam started his career from Quetta Television Centre, and within few years, his reputation was of an emerging star on drama scene. His first play was Khali Haath, produced by Dost Muhammad Gashkori. Later, Kazim Pasha caste him in an Urdu serial Chhaoon, in which he gave remarkable performance.

Mian Ejaz Shafi
Businessman & Politician
Mian Ejaz Shafi, Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and chief organiser of its Sindh chapter, died of cardiac arrest at the age of 60.

Tiziano Terzani, Journalist
The Italian travel writer and journalist who died at the age of 65. He was one of the clearest and most original voices on the Italian literary scene. An expert on the continent of Asia, he was one of Italy's most highly regarded journalists internationally.