Today’s Motto: ‘We live, not as we Wish to, but as We Can’

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

On this day, 09 Oct….

1000 – Leif Ericson discovers “Vinland” (possibly L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada), reputedly becoming the first European to reach North America (pic credit-wikiwand).

1855 – Isaac Singer patents a sewing machine motor.

1890 – It is reported, however without evidence, that French electrical engineer Clement Ader was the first person to actually fly an airplane, but his steam-powered bat-like plane ‘Eole’ only rose a few inches off the ground. It was not a sustained flight like the Wright Brothers’ later flight (pic credit-france-pittoresque.com)

1920 – Aligarh’s Oriental College was converted into Aligarh Muslim University. Founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan on  January 07, 1877  as a college.

1946 – First electric blanket manufactured.

1946 – Jinnah’s 9-point demands conveyed to Congress. He wanted the Prime Ministership of India for himself  or Partition of India  cutting out  a separate nation for Muslims-(Pakistan0.

1947 – First telephone conversation between a moving car & a plane.

1949 – The Territorial Army (TA) of India inaugurated by the Governor General. The TA is a second line of defence after regular Army. It is meant for those people who are already in mainstay civilian professions. The TA initially had various types of units. By 1972 these units were either disbanded or converted to Regular Army units with the exception of infantry battalions. Territorial Army units were actively involved in military operations in 1962, 1965 and 1971, as well as in Sri Lanka, Punjab, J&K, and the North East. Departmental units came to the aid of the civil authorities during industrial unrest and natural calamities, most notable being earthquake in Latur (Maharastra), Uttarkashi in Garhwal Himalaya and the super cyclone in Orissa. The Ecological units have arrested man made environmental degradation by planting 25 million trees over 20,000 hectare of land in Mussoorie hills & Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), Bikaner & Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and ravines of Chambal in Madhya Pradesh and new work in gorakhpur is in progress).  TA units have been actively involved in all wars.  Departmental units aided civil authorities during industrial unrest and natural calamities. Starting in 1980, the Ecological units have (as of late 2024), planted over 9.35 crore saplings.

1962 – Battles to decide Algeria-Morocco boundary kills 130.

1976 – International Dialing Telephone Service  (ISD), started between Mumbai and London.

2006 – Google announced its acquisition of YouTube for $ 1.65 billion. It now contributes 11% of revenue for parent company Alphabet Inc. (turnover $ 191 billion as in 2022).

2012 – Malala Yousafzai, who played an important role in promoting girls’ education  in Pakistan, was shot at  by the Taliban while going to school. She  was  honoured  wth  Nobel  Peace Prize in  2014.

Born….1923 – Keshub Mahindra, a prominent businessman who served as the chairman of the Mahindra Group. His leadership and vision have significantly contributed to the growth and diversification of the company, making it one of India’s leading industrial firms.

1933 – Sir Peter Mansfield. (English physicist whose work led to the development of MRI. He was the first living subject to undergo MRI test. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 2003).

1945 – Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the sarod maestro. A Gwalior Gharana  6th generation  musician  was felicitated  by legendary lyricist Gulzar in 1990, it won the Filmfare Award for Best Documentary. Amjad Ali Khan won several awards viz., Sangeet Natak Akademy, many honorary Doctorates, Padam Vibhushan in 2001 and Gramy award in 2010.

1966 – Dr.  Radheshyam Barle, a well-known exponent of the  Pandavani folk dance form. Exponent of Panthi dance of Chhattisgarh, Barle  was honoured with Padma Shri in 2021.

RIP….  2006 – Kanshi Ram, the founder of Bahujan Samaj Party and the biggest leader of Dalit politics. Kanshi Ram, who yearned for the upliftment of Dalits and dreamed of having power in their hands, recognized Mayawati’s potential and inspired her to enter politics.

2006 – Raymond Noorda: (American electrical and mechanical engineer, known as the Father of Computer Networking.   “Ray” Noorda was an American computer businessman. He was CEO of Novell between 1982 and 1994. He also served as chairman of Novell until he was replaced in 1994 by Robert Frankenberg (pic credit-ecured.cu).

2024 – Ratan Tata, famous industrialist. He inherited a  modest empire of industies established by his  elders  viz., Ratanji Tata, JRD Tata, Ratan Tata and Naval Tata.  Jamshedji Tata established Tata Group thru’ Tata Sons  venturing into Airlines, Automobiles,  Textiles, consumer goods like  salt and  toileteries etc. Ratan Tata took over from legendary JRD Tata in 1991 and expanded to new heights in  turnover and public  utility. He wa a philanthropist,  ethical businessman and visionary statesman. He established Cancer Care hospitals and other welfare facilities. He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan and top  honours like Doctorates,  by  England, France, Australia and others.

You may have known….   It’s believed the ancient Romans were the first people to use wedding rings in a way resembling the modern custom, although exchanging rings as symbols of eternity or affection dates back even earlier to ancient Egypt and Greece. Roman weddings were not like the elaborate, picturesque affairs of today. Marriages were often less about romance and more about family alliances and property (pic credit-vianawedding.com).

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