Satyabrata Rout: Satyabrata Rout has been awarded Sangeet Natak Academy Award for the year 2016. He is a professor from the Department of Theatre Arts in University of Hyderabad. He is one of the pioneers in ‘visual theatre’ in India.
KPS Gill: KPS Gill, an IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre of the 1958 batch, who is often credited with rooting out militancy in Punjab has passed away at the age of 82. He was known as a ‘super cop’ for his work in the fields of policing and security. Gill led the ‘Operation Black Thunder’ in May 1988 to eliminate militants hiding in the Golden Temple. He is credited for completely eliminating the Khalistani terrorism in Punjab. Unlike Operation Blue Star (1984), Operation Black Thunder was highly successful as little damage was caused to the Golden Temple. Operation Black Thunder resulted in the surrender of around 67 Sikhs and the death of 43 militants. Gill was the former director general of police (DGP) of Punjab. He held that post from 1988 to 1990 and then again from 1991 until his retirement in 1995. Gill was conferred with Padma Shri in 1989 for his work in civil services. Gill has held various other posts including president of the Institute for Conflict Management and the president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).