Today’s Motto: ‘Don’t let your yesterday interfere with your tomorrow’

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

On this day, 23 Feb….

1663 – Treaty of Ghilajharighat was signed between the Ahom Kingdom (now Assam)  and the Mughal Empire. The treaty followed the invasion of Mir Jumla. Ahom King Jayadhwaj Singha became a tributary of Aurangzeb. The Ahom dynasty ruled between 1228 and 1826, promoted art, culture,  education and  poetry across Brahamputra valley. Bihu festival was developed by Ahom rulers (pic credit-geeksforgeeks.org).

1739 – The invading forces of Nadir Shah of Iran defeated the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah in Karnal, a decisive victory that led to the eventual sacking of Delhi. He burnt large parts of mughal  kingdom in Delhi, looted the people and the precious  Kohinoor, known to be the largest  diamond in India.  He was later killed by his own rebellous soldiers and family members.                                                                                                                                                                                          1768 – Nizam accepted British supremacy and Col.  Smith  signed peace treaty with the Nizam

1792 – The Third Mysore War ended in Tipu Sultan’s signing of Peace Treaty dictated by Lord Cornwallis & surrendering his two sons, Abdul Khaliq & Maiz – Uddin. This is known as Treaty of Seringapatam.

1946 – The Royal Indian Navy mutiny intensified, with sailors in Bombay displaying “Quit India” placards, a major event that signaled the end of British rule. Although they officially surrendered on 23 February, this revolt is considered a critical trigger for the British decision to leave India.

1886 – World’s first classified ad was published in London Times.

1952 – The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was passed.This established a key social security framework for Indian workers.

1980 – Prakash Padukone becomes the first Indian to win All-England Badminton Championship.

1994 – India rebuts Pak charges on Kashmir in the 53-nation UN Commission on Human Rights.

1998 – Osama bin Laden publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews and Crusaders.            2006 – Govt. of India  under PM Manmohan Singh  approved recommending the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan.

2009 – Ban on smoking scenes in films and television programs was lifted.

2010 – Qatar granted citizenship to the controversial Indian painter M.F. Husain who depicted many Indian goddesses in bad  perspectives.

2010 – Sachin Tendulkar became the first male cricketer to score a double century in an ODI (200* against South Africa in Gwalior).

2020 – Violent protests and communal clashes erupted in North East Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), resulting in the deaths of at least 38 people over the following days.

Born….  1913 – P.C. Sorcar. Famous Indian Jadoogar,  called the Maharaja of Magic,  who mesmerized his audience through  imaginary visuals and  verses  with his clever  ‘haath ki Safai’ or Inderjaal. . He travelled world over to show his magic. He was awarded Samurai Crown in Japan, Golden  Dragon in China,  The Golden Laurel and Medallion in Germany and made  Honorary Member of International  Magic Association in New Zealand and  awarded Padam Shri by Govt of Inndia in1964.

 1969 – Bhagyashree (Patwardhan Dassani),  great grand daughter of Sangli’s last king, started her cine career with a TV serial Kachchi Dhoop in 1987  directed by  popular film personality Amol Palekar.  She debuted in films  with   Maine Pyar Kiya, produced by Tarachand Barjatya and directed by his grandson Sooraj Barjatya for Rajshri productions.  She also acted in Quaid Mein Hai Bulbul, Tyagi, Payal, Ghar Gaya Mera Pardesi and many more films apart from TV serials. Her last one being Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan in 2023. Bhagyashee won Filmfare on debut,                                                                                                                                     1982 – Karan Singh Grover. Indian model, TV actor and Bollywood films. He married thrice including popular romance queen Bipasa Basu. (pic credit-ibtimes.co.uk).       

1983 – Emily Olivia Laura  Blunt a popular Brityish actress. Known for roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Young Victoria, Gnomio & Juliet, Edge of Tomorrow.   She has won a Golden Globe, 2 Screen  Actors Guild, 4 British and 1 American Academy award.

RIP….  1969 – Madhubala,  most popular romantic and bold  actress of   Hindi and Bengali films.  She started  as a child actor in Basant (1942) and as heroine in Neel Kamal, and   Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi with Kishore Kumar. Her most popular films were  Amar, Howrah Brdge, Mahal, Half Ticket, Kala Paani, Anarkali, Daulat, Mr. & Mrs. 55, Sangdil, Badal, Mahal, Mughle-Azam etc. She was awarded Filmfare and a National Award. Madhubala died at an early age of 36.

1998 – Raman Lamba, former Delhi cricketer and Indian Test batsman. He scored a hundred and 2 fiflies in a One Day searies asgainst Australia  (1986-87). He passed away in Dhaka, three days after being hit on the head while close-in fielding.

2004 – Vijay Anand. Known as “Goldie,” he was a legendary filmmaker, producer, screen writer, and actor, famous for directing classics like Guide (1965), Jewel Thief _(1967), and Teesri _Manzil (1966).  The youngest  brother of  Anand family of Bollywood  (Chetan and Dev Anands)  he won 5 Filmfare and  2 BFJ  Aawards.

2011 – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Spiritual leader and founder of Sahaja Yoga.  Earlier in life she  launched the “Youth Society for Films” to infuse national, social and moral values in young people. She was also a member of the Central Board of Film Certification. 

You may have known…. While India’s sex ratio was 933 females per 1,000 males during the 2001 Census, it improved to 943 in the 2011 Census, effectively aligning with the global average ratio of approximately 1.06 males to  every female.

{Comiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}