Today’s Motto: ‘Challenges make life interesting; overcoming them make it meaningful’

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

On this day, 16 Mar….
(World Sleep Day: This global awareness day focuses on the importance of sleep and aims to raise awareness about sleep disorders and the importance of healthy sleep habits.                                                                                                                     India observes National Vaccination Day on March 16, promoting awareness about immunization.

1527 – Rana Sangram Singh, King of Mewad, attacked on Mughal Emperor Babur near Kanwa at Agra.

1846 – According to the Amritsar Agreement, Kashmir was taken over under Gulab Singh, the Hindu king of Jammu & Kashmir. It was an agreement between the Dogra commander of Maharaja Ranjit Singh for 75 lakh Nanakshahee Rupees,  when successors of Ranjit Singh  needed money to fund their army and the British who mediated, to  get a security on the Northern border of India (along J&K).

1925 – India’s first-ever electric train service was introduced between Bombay Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji and Kurla. This event marked a significant milestone in India’s railway history.

1943 – The Bengal famine, one of the most devastating famines in Indian history, began, leading to the death of millions. Though exacerbated by British colonial policies, it highlighted India’s need for self-sufficiency. It was mainly due to the British govt. transferring food to its forces in the Guld War, leaving the Indian public face hunger.

1959 – The National Institute of Design (NID), one of India’s premier design schools, was established in Ahmedabad. It played a crucial role in shaping modern design education in India.

1969 – While ISRO was officially established in 1969, the groundwork for India’s space ambitions took shape with the establishment of key research centers around March 16.

1988 – India successfully tested the Prithvi missile, developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme led by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. This laid the foundation for India’s modern defense capabilities

1999 – The Shiromani Akali Dal creates a record by unanimously electing Bibi Jagir Kaur Begowal as the first woman President of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC).

2012 – Sachin Tendulkar becomes first cricketer to score 100 international centuries.

2018 – Popular  actor Irrfan Khan reveals he has been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour and died on April 29, 2020. He acted in  several  Indian and  internatioal films over 30 years of his career  viz., Ek Doctor Ki Maut, Namesake, Maqbool,  Haasil, Slumdog Millionaire etc. He won 6 Filmfares and a National Film award.                                                                                                                          2023 – Emmanuel Macron’s government uses special powers to force through pension reform, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, amid widespread protests.

Born…. 1556 – Amarsingh, Rajput king of Mewar., the  eldest son  of Maharana Pratap I, who ruled over Mewar, Chittor and Udaipur,  from  Jan. 19, 1597  to Jan. 20, 1620 (until his  death). He faught against Akbar’s armies but  at last was defeated and  signed a treaty with moughal  badshah  Jahangir in 1615.

1599 – Shahaji Raje Bhosale, father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.                                                         1693 – Malhar Rao Holkar. A  brave commander of Maratha empire, who became the first king of  Holkar dynasty and ruled over  Malwa state,  with capital at Indore upto May 20, 1766. He defeated the Mughals in several battles.  Ealier he helped Maharaja   Surajmal in Delhi and north Indian areas and   Mahadrao Scindia  to take control  over Gwalior. His son Khandekar Rao died early in a war, so he helped his daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar to  rule over Indore. She was a very brave and efficient adminstrator, religious  and philanthropist ruler.

1910 – Iftikhar Ali Khan,  Prince of  a small state of  Pataudi (Haryana).  A popular cricketer, who played for England (1932-34)  and India, after  1946.  His mother inherited the control of the state of  Bhopal due to death of  her father Hamidullah Khan and elder sister Abida Khan shifting to Pakistan in 1947.   Her estate passed on his son  Mansoor Ali Khan though it is now disputed due to some maniipulation of records.

1958 – General Bipin Rawat,PSM, UYSM, AYSM. A Four Star General of  Indian Army   who became  the Indian  Army chief and first  Chief of Defence  Staff (Dec. 31, 2019 to  Dec. 08, 2021). He died in a helicopter crash probably due to bad weather, in Bandishola (Kerala-Tamil Nadu borders). India’s first ‘Chief of Defense Staff’ (pic credit-mod.gov.in).                                           1971 – Rajpal Yadav, Bollywood comedian  and popular  actor. Started filmy career with  Ram Gopal Verma’s  film Jungle in 2000 and went on work in over  50 films like Hangama, Kal Ho Na Ho, Waqt (remake), Phir Hera Pheri,  Bhool Bhulaiyay, Main Meri  Patni  aur Voh, Chhup  Chhup ke,  Dhol etc. He was nominated  to IIFA, Yash Bharati  and  other  film awards.

RIP…. 1899 -Joseph Medill. Canadian writer, editor who co-founded Chicago Tribune, became Mayor of Chicago (1971-73).  He was a Republic politician and supported Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War during the 1850s.                                                                                                                                                                1945 – Ganesh Damodar Savarkar  (Baburao Savarkar), was a revolutionary and elder  brother of Swatantriya Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. They bothy fpunded the Abhinav Bharat Society to propogate Freedom Movement among the youth. He was imprisoned by the British between 1909-22 and 1933-37 and sent to Cellular Jail of Andemans. He was released unconditionally both times. He was also a co-founder of RSS in 1925.

You may have known…. Freddie Mercury, the legendary singer of the rock band ‘Queen’ was born a Parsi with the name Farrokh Bulsara while the famous Oscar winning Hollywood star Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji to an English mother and an Indian Gujarati father with roots in Jamnagar.                                                                                                                                                                    {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}