Today’s Motto: ‘It’s not what we look at that matters, it’s what we see’

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

On this day, 18 Aug ….

1891 – The first rainmaking experiments in the U.S. were conducted near Midland, Texas. from artillery.

1932 – The Scottish aviator Jim Mollison made the first westbound transatlantic solo flight (pic credit-npg.org.uk).

1926 – Weather map televised for 1st time.

1951 – IIT Kharagpur, a premier engineering institute, was inaugurated.

1990 – President R Venkataraman presented the colours to the Officers Training Academy in recognition of their services to the Nation.

2014 – A meeting between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan was cancelled following a Pakistani official’s meeting with Kashmiri separatists.

2018 – Archaeologists confirm the first-ever cheese found from Ancient Egypt, 3200 years old, in the tomb of Ptahmes, mayor of Memphis.

Born…. 1900 – Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, diplomat and politician. She was the sister of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first PM of India. She worked  Indian High Commissioner to UK  after being  Ambassador to  Soviet Union, United States  She also represented India at   United Nations and was first woman President to UNGA (1953-54).

1936 – Gulzar,  (Sampooran Singh Kalra)  veteran Urdu  shayar,  song and  film  sceenwriter and  director.  He produced/directed Aandhi,  and was  involved  in Anand,  Aashirwad, Khamoshi,  Guddi,  Mausam, Raazi,  Maachis, Guru,  Slumdog Millionaire, Kiradaar,  Omkara, Bunty Aur Bubly, Jab Tak Hai Jaan etc. Starting with film Bandini as lyricist in 1963,  he  has won 5 National Film awards, 22 Filmfare, one Academy and one Grammy award, Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke and Sahitya Akademi award.

1956 – Sandeep Madhusudan Patil,   Indian middle order batsman and medium pacer who also  played in India’s victorius team in Cricket World Cup 1983, 1984 Asia Cup  and was National Team Selector and National Cricket Academy chief. He edited a Marathi sports magazine Ekach Shatkar and acted in a film Kabhie Ajnabi The with  wicket keeper SMH Kirmani  and opposite  Debashree Roy which was a major flop.

1967 – Daler Mehndi, bhangra/pop singer, song writer and producer.  Known as Bhangra King, Daler’s signature pop songs  Bolo Ta Ra Ra which sold 20 million  discs,  Dardi Rab Rab Kardi, Ho Jayegi Balle Balle and many more were  on top of music charts.  He led several nusic concert tours to Europe, UK, America, Pakistan and Gulf countries. He was suspected of human trafficing  in 2018 but released after 2 months. He also joined  politics in 2019, joined BJP. He  sang for some films like I Am Singh,  Rang de Basanti, Bolo Ta Ra Ra re, Antrangi Re, Dangal, The Surgical strike etc.  His net worth is $ 13 million (Rs. 120-124  crores) .
RIP….  1227 – Genghis Khan, Monghol  chief  who  established  Monghol state and  looted  large parts of Asia including  China, India and  northern regions of Asia, He died in Xingquing state of  present  China.

1998 – Persis Khambatta, Indian model, actress, author.  She won the Femina Miss India contest in 1965, the second winner of Femina Miss India and third Indian woman to participate in the Miss  Universe pageant. At the Femina Miss India contest, she also won the Miss Photogenic award (pic credit-www.listel.com).
You may have known….
In 2013, India’s population growth rate was 1.2%, ranking it 94th globally.

You may have known….

There are 195 countries in the world today. India’s population growth rate has been decreasing in recent years, and it is now below the world average.

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