Today’s Motto: ‘A leader is best judged in an emergency’

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

On this day, 15 Jan….

1656 – Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered Javali state.

1797 – The top hat was first worn in England by James Heatherington, a Strand haberdasher in London.

1863 – Woodpulp paper was first used in the U.S. for a printed newspaper by the Boston Morning Herald of Boston.

1874 – Establishment of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Founded by Sir William Jones in Calcutta to promote Oriental research and the study of the history and culture of Asia. 1889 – The idea of a “Rotary Dining Table” was issued a U.S. patent to a Black American inventor, Daniel Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas

1892 – James Naismith published the first set of rules for basketball.

1934 – 8.4 earthquake in India/Nepal, estimated  over 10,700 citizens die.

1943 – World’s largest office building, Pentagon completed in  Washington. It houses the Head Quarters of US Defense Deptt. Was attacked by terrorists in Sept. 11, 2001 and over 184 staff died.

1948 – Gandhiji hails Indian Cabinet’s decision to release Pakistan  funds of Rs. 550 million. Fast continues for establishment of communal peace.

1949 – Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India. The day is celebrated in India as the Army Day and day honours the bravery of Indian soldiers, marked by parades, displays of military might and award ceremonies. It marks a solemn tribute to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives to protect the country and the people living in it.

1965 – Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established under the Food Corporations Act to ensure food security and handle the procurement and distribution of food grains across the country.

1988 – Leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani made a spectacular Test debut against the West Indies in Chennai, taking 16 wickets for 136 runs—the best match figures by any player on their Test debut.

1996 – Restoration of the original name of the city as “Mumbai” for Bombay.

2001 – Wikipedia, the free online Encyclopedia, is launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger (pic credit-radiofrance.fr).

2019 – Plastic will outweigh fish in the world’s oceans by 2050 according to report by the World Economic Forum.

Born….  1592 – Shahjahan, 5th mughal emperor of India between 1628-58, until he was deposed b y his son Jehangir, who placed him in prison. He was known for magnificent archtectures like Taj Mahal in memory of his  Queen Mumtaz Mahal and many reforms. He died in prison in 1668.

1947 – Pritish Nandi, veteran Indian poet,  journalist, painter, film scriptwriter, producer and a politician. Worked with Times of India group in several roles including editor of Illustrated Weekly of India (now closed), Filmfare. He started Pritish Nandi Communications, a  company for film production and  is known for Jhankar Beats, Chameli, Hazaaron Khwahishen.., Fatso,  Pyar Ke Side Effects, Shabd, Sur: The Melody of Life etc. He also represented Shiv Sena in Rajya Sabha (1998-2004). He was awarded Padam Shri, EM Foster award and several other accolades. He died last Wednesday.

1956 – Behn Mayawati,  veteran  Indian  politician fighting for Dalit, downtrodden citizen’s causes. Heads Bahujan Samaj Party after its founder Kanshi Ram in September 2003. She was Uttar Pradesh Choief Minister for 3 short terms since 1995 with BJP support  and 4th full term from 2007. She was also Rajya Sabha member for a term.  She faces some financial irregularities charges and for amassing black money through various memorials.    In a dramatic event it is alleged, she was attacked  by Samajwadi Party goons in a Lucknow State Guest House in 1995.

1982 – Neil Mukesh, grandson of legendary singer Mukesh (Mathur) and son of singer Nitin. Has acted in some films  like New York, Shortcut Romeo, 3G, A Killer Connection, Kaththi, Prem Rattan Dhan Payo, Bypass Road,  Aa Jara Dekhen, Johanny Gaddar, Saaho etc. He won IIFA Fresh Face award and Guild Award in 2008.

RIP…. 1998 – Gulzari Lal Nanda, Gandhian freedom fighter and was  twice acting Prime Minister in 1964 and 1966 after death of  Nehru in 1964 and Shastriji in 1966 (13 days each). He lived a very simple and pious life, lived on rented houses only.

2009 – Tapan Sinha, acclaimed Bengali and Bollywood  film director and contemporary of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. He directed  films like Kabuliwala, Louha-Kapat, Sagina Mahato, Apanjan, Kshudhita Pashan, Ek Doctor ki Maut  and children’s film Safed Haathi and Aaj Ka. He  was recipient of  13 National,  Filmfare,  international  at  Russian, French British, UNICEF  and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2006.

You may have known….  1.  Chess was invented in India. Earlier called Chausar and  Chaturanga, it was a royal game of Kings and darbaries in northeren states. Now  India has many chessmaster  (FIDE ranking system) in South India.

As of  2010, only about 35% of total agricultural land in India was reliably irrigated. About 2/3rd cultivated land in the country is dependent on monsoons.  Indian  gevernment has ambitious  plans  to connect rivers of the country and cover most parts of land for irrigation and efficient water supplies.  Indira Canal passing through Rajasthan has done wonders in  raising  the water-table in the state and raising agricultural peroduction tremendously.

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