Michael Gambon who played role of headmaster Dumbledore in Harry Potter, passes away
London: British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, widely recognized for his portrayal of the wise Professor Albus Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" film series, passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday. His career, guided by his mentor Laurence Olivier, spanned across theater, television, and film, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Gambon's family confirmed his peaceful passing in a hospital, as reported by PA Media.
Beginning his acting journey on the stage in the early 1960s, Gambon transitioned into television and film, establishing himself as a versatile actor. Notable film roles included a chilling portrayal of a psychotic mob leader in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" in 1989, and his depiction of the elderly King George V in Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech" in 2010.
However, it was his iconic portrayal of Professor Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" franchise that endeared him to audiences worldwide. Gambon took on the role from the third installment of the eight-film series after the passing of Richard Harris in 2004. Despite the acclaim, he humbly attributed his performance to playing himself "with a stuck-on beard and a long robe."
Born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin to a seamstress mother and an engineer father, Michael John Gambon relocated with his family to Camden Town, London, at the age of six, as his father sought work during the post-war reconstruction era.
Gambon's passion for acting led him to leave school at 15 to pursue an engineering apprenticeship, which he completed by the age of 21. However, his involvement in an amateur theater group reinforced his desire to act. Inspired by American actors Marlon Brando and James Dean, whom he believed embodied the struggles of teenage boys, Gambon remained committed to his calling throughout his illustrious career.
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
