Today’s Motto: ‘We are born to stand out, not to fit in’

This is Your Day-TODAY: Take a Determined Step Forward and Make History!

On this day, 22 Aug ….

1639 – Madras (now Chennai), founded by the British East India Company on sliver of land bought from local Nayak rulers.

1894 – Mahatma Gandhi forms the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in order to fight discrimination against Indian traders in Natal.

1906 – The Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, New Jersey, began to manufacture the Victrola record player. The hand cranked unit, with horn cabinet, sold for $200.

1962 – The Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered ship, completed her maiden voyage.

1864 – International Red Cross Society  constituted  in the  United States  by  socialite  Clara  Barton.

1901 – Cadillac Co forms. The Cadillac Motor Car Division, is a division of the U.S.-based General Motors (GM) that markets luxury vehicles worldwide. It was named after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who founded Detroit, Michigan. The Cadillac crest is based on his coat of arms. Founded by Henery  M Leland,  Lemuel Boven and William Murphy.  ).

1911 – Mona Lisa stolen from Louvre. Recovered in 1913  (pic credit-joseartgallery.com). 

1933 – Inhabitants of Partabgarh face starvation as Opium was now outlawed. They had been living from the sale of opium for the past 800 years.

1962 – Failed assassination on president De Gaulle. (Though the assassination attempt came very close to claiming de Gaulle’s life, the President and his entire entourage escaped  without injury. The event is chronicled in detail in the   (otherwise fictional) 1971 work The Day of the Jackal (pic credit-Getty Images)                                                                                         

 

 

2017 – India’s Supreme Court outlaws instant divorce for Muslim men  to their   wives  (  viz.,  talaq, talaq, talaq).
Born…. 1790 – Sheikh  Muhammed  Ibrahim  ‘Zauq,’ a popular Urdu poet, in the mughal court of Muhammed Shah Zafar-II, was awarded Khaqani-e-Hind title. He was contemporary of great Urdu  shayar  Mirza Ghalib.

1915 – Sombhu Mitra, popular Bengali theatre personality who  shaped theatre,  a playwriter,  acted, directed  plays.  He was honoured  with Sangeet Natak Akademy award and Padma Shri.

1922 – Hari Shankar Parsai,  legendary Hindi poet,  shayar, satirist known for political and social Vyang in Mushaiyras. He was honoured with Sahitya  Akademy award and Sharad Joshi award.

1935 – Gopi Krishna. Famous Indian Kathak dancer, Bharatnatyam expert Guru, who became the youngest choreographer at age 17 years. He composed dance sequences for Saqi,  Jhalak Jhalak Payal Baje,  a musical  marvel directed by V Shantaram.  Also Grihasti, Daastan, Mehbooba, Umrao Jaan, Naache Mayuri, Hamraaj, Annadata, Madhumati, Zamana and a role in Mahabharat serial.   Gopi created a world record of Kathak dance lasting 9 hours 20 minutes. He was honoured with titel Natraj in early  days  and Padma Shri in 1975.

1955 – K Chiranjeevi.  Popular Telugu, Tamil and Hindi actor, producer, philanthropist and politician.  Known for high grossing films like Khaidi,  Pasivadi Pranam, Yamudiki Mogudu, Gang Leader, Gharana Mogudu etc. He founded Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, later merged with Congress Party. He was  Rajya Sabha member, union  minister for Tourism and I&B,  promoted Incredible India campaign. He was awarded State Film award, Padma Bhushan and  several other awards.

You may have known….

It has been estimated that the population was about 100 million in 1600 and remained nearly static until the late 19th century. It reached 255 million according to the first census taken in 1881.

{Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}