Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies aged 91

Gorbachev, who ended Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent collapse of Soviet Union, dies "after a serious and long illness," Russian media report.

After visiting Gorbachev in hospital on June 30, liberal economist Ruslan Grinberg told the armed forces news outlet Zvezda: "He gave us all freedom - but we don't know what to do with it." (AFP)

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, has died in Moscow at the age of 91. "Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness," the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow said on Tuesday, quoted by the Interfax, TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies. Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and bring about the reunification of Germany. When pro-democracy protests swept across the Soviet bloc nations of communist Eastern Europe in 1989, he refrained from using force –– unlike previous Kremlin leaders who had sent tanks to crush uprisings in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. But the protests fuelled aspirations for autonomy in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union, which disintegrated over the next two years in a chaotic fashion. Gorbachev struggled in vain to prevent that collapse. Turbulence from his reforms On becoming general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party in 1985, aged just 54, he had set out to revitalise the system by introducing limited political and economic freedoms, but his reforms spun out of control. His policy of 'glasnost' - free speech - allowed previously unthinkable criticism of the party and the state, but also emboldened nationalists who began to press for independence in the Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and elsewhere. Many Russians never forgave Gorbachev for the turbulence that his reforms unleashed, considering the subsequent plunge in their living standards too high a price to pay for democracy. After visiting Gorbachev in hospital on June 30, liberal economist Ruslan Grinberg told the armed forces news outlet Zvezda: "He gave us all freedom - but we don't know what to do with it." Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Tirupati Woman Aged 101 Recalls Freedom Struggle, Proud to be Part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'

Last Updated: August 11, 2022, 00:37 IST

Kamalamma from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, celebrated her 101st birthday on August 7. (Image: News18)

The centenarian shared the moments of the freedom movement and celebrations in her native place when India got independence from British rule in 1947

Centenarian Kamalamma, a native of Korlakunta in Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh who celebrated her 101st birthday on August 7 with her family members, is proud to be taking part in ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that marks the 75th year of India’s Independence.

When News18 contacted her, she shared the moments of the freedom movement and celebrations in her native place when India got independence from British rule.

Born on August 7, 1922, to Munswamy and Subbamma in the temple town, Kamalamma’s education ended at a primary level till Class V. She was married to Gopanna who was working as a head constable when she was 14 years. The couple was blessed with a son and a daughter.

According to her family, Kamalamma’s lifestyle and food habits made her strong. Her routine is one of patience and discipline, and she is a role model to people of all ages when it comes to living a long life with good health. Her family members also said she had a down-to-earth attitude and was helpful in nature.

Recollecting the days of freedom struggle, she said because she was a girl child her parents would not allow her to take part. She said there was a festive atmosphere in every nook and corner of her town when India attained independence.

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