Today’s Motto: ‘It does not matter how slowly we go, as long as we do not stop’

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

On this day, 14 Aug ….

1745 – Oldest known exactly dated printed book.

1820 – The first U.S. eye hospital, was founded in New York City in two rooms by a young physician, Dr. Edward Delafield.

1894 – The first wireless transmission of information using Morse code was demonstrated by Oliver Lodge during a meeting of the British Association at Oxford.

1938 – BBC’s 1st feature film on TV (Student of Prague).

1945 – V-J Day; Japan surrenders unconditionally to end WW II, after attack over Diamond Harbour and Bombing over Nagasaki and Hiroshima towns.

1948 – Bradman’s last Test Cricket innings.

1953 – The whiffle ball, a ball that curved when it was thrown, was invented by David Mullany Sr. for his 13-year-old son.

1975 – Military coup against Bangla Desh president Mujib-ur-Rahman.

1986 – Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto arrested.

2000 – Two onboard torpedoes explode on the Russian submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea, which eventually killed all onboard, despite a rescue operation.

Born….  1774 – Ram Mohan Roy, born in Radhanagar (Hooghly),  a legendary  philosopher, reformer, writer who founded Brahmo Samaj in 1828. He learnt Sanskrit,  Persian  and  Arabic  and wrote Bengali Grammer book  and studied Upnishads, Vedas in Benaras. He worked for Mirate-ul-Akhbar and  Sambad Kaumudi and wrote Vedanta Gantha, Defence of Hindu Theism,  The Percepts of Jesus, The Universal Religion and History of Indian Philosophy and many more. He also  appointed by Mughals as Ambassador  to England,  was highly popular and respected.  He died in Bristol (U.K.) in 1833, where his Mousoleum and  his Statue was installed.

1920 – Air Chief Marshal Rushikesh Mulgaonkar, Former Air Chief during 1976-78.

1923 – Kuldip Nayar, journalist,  served as  Editor of The Statesman  and established Editors Guild of India.  He led a Candle March to  Wagah Border in the midnight of August 14-15, 1995 for Peace between India-Pakistan. Was  put in prison during Emergency in 1976. Later served as India’s High Commissioner  to England . Nayar wrote several books like Between the Lines, Distant Neighbours, Suppression of Judges, India After Nehru  etc. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan posthumously.

1961 – Mohnish Behl, Bollywood and TV  serial actor, son of  veteran actress Nutan. His films are Bekarar, Teri Bahon Mein, Meri Adalat, Baghi, Henna etc. He was nimnated to Filmfare award for  Ham Aapke Hain Kaun role.

1983 – Sunidhi Chauhan, popular singer and model. She sang for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Pushpa etc.

RIP…. 1998 – Classical vocalist Shamshad Begum, who enthralled millions of  radio  listeners in the 30s and 70s.  She sang about 6000 songs, ghazals and Bhajans. She gained popularity for her songs for Naya Daur, Aar Paar, Ambar,  Babul, Mela, Deedar, CID etc. She was awarded Kuldip Nayar award and Padma Bhushan in 2009. (song video credit-Saregama music)

2011 – Shammi Kapoor, veteran actor from  Kapoor family and director. He was the second son  Prithvi Raj Kapoor, younger brother of  Raj Kapoor. He acted in Janglee, Kashmir Ki Kali,  Dil Deke Dekho, Professor, Rajkumar, Prince etc.  in about 100 films.

You may have known…. India has more than two thousand ethnic groups, and every major religion is represented.                                                                                                      {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}