Ghazal Singer Pankaj Udhas Passes Away 

Renowned singer Pankaj Udhas passed away. He was an Indian ghazal and playback singer known for his works in Hindi cinema. He was born in Jetpur Near Rajkot, Gujurat in a Gujurati Zamindar Family in 1951. With a strong determination to pursue a successful music career, four years hence he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learnt to play tabla. Pankaj completed his studies from Sir BPTI Bhavanagar, after some time his family moved to Mumbai, and he start studying in St. Xavier's College in Mumbai. His first song in film was in the "Kamna" a solo composed by Usha Khanna and written by Naqsh Lyallpuri, the film was a flop, but his rendition was very much appreciated. 

His important works include Aahat (1980), Mukarrar, Tarrannum, Mehfil, Shamakhana, Yaara - Music by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Shabad, Shaayar (2010), Barbad Mohabbat, and Nasheela. 

Awards 

2006 - Padmashree for completing Silver Jubilee in Gazal singing career. 

2006 - Awarded the prestigious "Kalakar" award at Kolkata for "Hasrat" as "Best Ghazal album of 2005". 

2004 - Special Felicitation at the Wembley Conference Center, London for Completing 20 Years of Performance at the Prestigious Venue. 

2003 - MTV Immies Award for the successful album 'In Search of Meer'. 

2003 - Special Achievement Award at the Bollywood Music Award, New York for Popularizing Ghazals Across the Globe. 

1994 - Honorary Citizenship of Lubbock Texas, USA. 

1994 - Radio Lotus Award for Outstanding Achievement and for the many songs featuring on the official hit parade of the radio. Presented by Radio Lotus, South Africa at the University of Durban. 

1993 - Giants International Award for extraordinary efforts to achieve the highest standards in the field of music thereby motivating the entire community to pursue excellence. 

1990 - Outstanding Young Persons' Award (1989–90) for positive leadership and distinguish services rendered to the nation. Presented by the Indian Junior Chambers. 

1985 - K L Saigal Award for being the Best Ghazal Singer of the Year. 

First Railway Station in Sikkim - Rangpo Railway Station 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially laid the foundation stone for Sikkim’s inaugural railway station in Rangpo lying on Sevoke-Rangpo railway line in Pakyong District. The forthcoming station will be integrated into the ongoing 45-kilometer railway line stretching from Sevoke near Siliguri in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim. This line will comprise 14 tunnels and 22 bridges. 

The station’s design is deeply rooted in local culture, heritage, and architecture. The inauguration of the Rangpo railway station is part of a larger initiative to enhance rail infrastructure nationwide. 

Sikkim is the only state in India that does not run a single train and even do not have a railway station. After Rangpo, all states in India will be connected by railway.  

• Capital of Sikkim - Gangtok 
• Governor of Sikkim - Lakshman Acharya 
• Chief Minister of Sikkim - Prem Singh Tamang