Today’s Motto: ‘Instead of being a multiple choice or true/false test, life is a long essay’

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

On this day, 20 Jul….

1905 – First Partition of Bengal, which was proposed by Lord Curzon, was accepted by British Government’s Minister-incharge for India (pic credit-client.biodagar.com)).

1957 – India’s biggest sheet-glass manufacturing factory formally opened in Hazaribagh, Bihar (pic credit-freepik.com).

1969 – Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong and pilot  Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first  human beings from the Earth,  to walk on the moon. Armstrong stepped on the lunar surface at 10:56 ET and proclaimed, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Internationally, nearly 700 million television viewers witnessed the event live as it happenedHe walked on the Moon’ surface for 2 Hrs 31 minutes and the space Mission lasted 8 days 14 hrs 12 minutes in all.

1989 – Burma government put author and leader of Opposition, Aung San Suu Kyi under House arrest. She is still under  preventive house arrest, disallowed to  do any political activity.

2000 – In a nationwide swoop, IT Department officials search the residences of cricketers Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and former ICC Chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya and recover incriminating documents,  in the alleged ‘Match-fixing scam’..

2020 – Scientists find evidence of volcanoes on Venus, showing the planet is not as dormant as previously thought (Nature Geoscience).

2023 – Video of serious mob assault on two women in Manipur has “shamed India” claims PM Narendra Modi. (Part of violence between Meitei and Kuki communities which have estimatedly   killed 130 people).

Born…. 1531 – Goswami  Tulsidas, Mahakavi,  most reverred Hindu  Saint who wrote Ramcharit Manas,  Ramayana in Sanskrit/Hindi Shlokas. He studied Vedas, Upnishdas in Varanasi and wrote Ramcharit Manas there. It is said Hanumanji inspired him to write Bhagwan  Ram story  and Shri Ram blessed him after it was completed.

1927 – Rajendra Kumar (Tuli), Bollywood film actor. Starting his career in 1950, he appeared in more than 80 films in a career spanning over four decades, like Mother India, Patanga, Jogan, Dhool Ka Phool,  Ghar Sansar, goonj Uthi Shehnai, Mere Mehboob, aas Ka Panchhi,  Pocket Maar, Toofan aur Diya, Talash, Talaq, Dil Ek Mandir, Aarzoo etc., . He was popularly known as the ‘Jubilee Kumar’. He was considered one of the most successful Indian actors in the 1960s. He also produced several films starring his son Kumar Gaurav.

1950 – Naseeruddin Shah, film and stage actor, and director in the Hindi   language films. He started with  Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and did many famous roles in films  viz., Sarfarosh, Gentleman, Iqbal, A Wednesday, Monsoon Wedding. He has won several film awards and Padma Bhushan honour.  He  has won numerous awards in his career, including three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards, and an award at the Venice Film Festival.. In recent years he has been issuing controversial statements against Ruling party and on safety of minorities in India, and  has got  wide pubic condemnations.

1980 – Gracy Singh,  popular  Punjabi, Bollywood, Telugu   and  Television actor. Gained popularity  for  roles in Tu Tu Tu,  Lagaan,  Munna Bhai  MBBS,  Gangajal, Armaan, Ham Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain,  Aapan Phie Milange,  Chhoriyan,  Santosham etc. . She is  also  a Bharat  Natyam  dancer. She was nominated for  Fimfare  award and  won  IIFA,  Screen,   Zee Cine  awards.  (pic credit-inspiredpencil.com).

RIP…. 1972 – Geeta Dutt, legendary Hindi and Bengali classical singer and heroine in many successful films. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. She acted/sang  in  films  like Jogan, Bhagat Prahlad, Kaala Bazaar, Aar Paar,  C.I.D., Baazi etc. She married veteran actor/director Guru Dutt and had two sons and daughter. She died at a  young age of  41.

1982 – Mira Behn, Surrey  (England born -Madeleine Slade)  was an ardent disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, passed away.  (we have given more info ‘ on Mira Behn in July 19 issue, by mistake).

You may have known…. In 2019-21, Muslim total fertility rate (TFR) fell to 2.36% from  4.5% in 1992.  Muslim population rose from 15.5%  to about 16.8%  during the period. Hindu TFR fell to 1.94. For pupulation stability 2.1 TFR is needed.                                                                                                                                      {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}