Today’s Motto: ‘The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is: be ruled by the evil men’

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

On this day, 18 Jul….

1743 – 1st half-page newspaper ad is published (New York Weekly Journal)

1857 – The Universities of Calcutta, Mumbai and Madras were established.

1896 – Ranjitsinhji scores 154* on Test Cricket debut vs. Australia, Old Trafford. One of the greatest batsmen of India (British era), in his name  domestic  first class  ricket tournament Ranji Trophy was established in  1934-35 by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

1940- 1st successful helicopter flight, Stratford, Connecticut.

1942- Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, Germany’s first operational jet fighter, takes first flight. The Me262 surprised the Allies with its speed advantage – around 100 or more miles per hour.  Although it could still be intercepted by Allied piston-engine fighters, when the Nazi jet was at speed it could escape an enemy. However, introduced near the end of World War II, and with limited numbers available, the Me 262 had limited effect on the progress of the war.

1946 – U.K. Parliament approves British Cabinet mission report on India but British  PM  Winston  Churchill says that the mission went too far in offering India independence outside of the Commonwealth.

1947 – Indian Independence Act, signed by King George VI, was proclaimed as Indian Freedom Act,

1968 – The Intel Corporation, inventor of the microchip, was incorporated. Co-founded by a Hungarian immigrant by with a collaboration of colleagues with the same interest, to revolutionize the computer world. In 1971, Intel released its first microprocessor, the 4004 designed for a calculator. In 1972 came the more powerful 8008. With the introduction of the 8080 in 1974, the first personal computers were made possible.

1980 – Rohini 1, 1st Indian satellite, launches into orbit.

2012 – Kim Jong-un is officially appointed Supreme Leader of North Korea and given the rank of Marshal in the Korean People’s Army.

2024 – In  Bangladesh student protesters storm the  state broadcaster as part of national protests led by students against job system that favoured  the  relatives of the  veterans.

Born…. 1861 – Kadambini Ganguly, one of the first Indian female doctors who practised with a Degree  in modern medicine. She was the first woman to gain admission to Calcutta Medical College in 1884, subsequently trained in Scotland, and established a successful medical practice in India                       1926 – Veena. (born as Tazour Sultana in  Quetta-now in Pakistan).  Veteran actress  has acted in old films films like Garib,  Gawandhi, then Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Do Raaste, Taaj Mahal, Paakizah, Razia Sultan etc.

1946 – Kalpana Mohan. popular glamour actress  born in Srinagar to a freedom fighter family. Her father Avani Shersingh Mohan, an AICC member,   headed Khadi & Village Industries office in Ambala.   She trained under legendary music director Shabhuji Maharaj  and  acted in films Pyar Ki Jeet, Professor, Teen Deviyan, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Saheli, Tasveer, Teesra Kaun, Ek Bechara  etc. She married Sachin Bhowmick and had a daughter, but both  got a divorce soon. H er two subsequest marraiges were also unccessful. Her only daughter Preeti Mansukhani settled in the United States.

1971 – Sukhwinder Singh,  is an Indian playback singer who primarily sings Bollywood songs. He sang “Jai Ho” in the film Slumdog Millionaire, for which he won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

1982 – Priyanka Chopra–Bollywood film actress and producer. She won the 2000  Niss World pagent and did modelling.  One of the highest paid actress started her cinema carrier with Tamil  film  Thamishan and then  Hindi film  Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Andaaz, Mujhse Shadi Karogi, Aitraz, Krish,  Koi Mil Gaya, Fashion, Don, Bluffmaster, Big Brother, God Tussi Great Ho,  7 Lhoon Maaf,  Barfi etc. She won a National Film award, 5 Fiomfare awards, Critis award and many other accolades.   (pic credit-www.masala.com).

1989 – Bhumi Pednekar. young actress known for common middle class roles, has acted in Toilet,  Ek Prem Katha, Badhai Ho, Dam Laga Ke Haisha, Saandh Ki Aankh  etc. She has won 3 Filmfare awards.

RIP….  2012 – Rajesh Khanna, actor, film producer and politician. He starred consecutively in a record 15 commercially successful films between 1969 to 1971 and came to be called the First Superstar of India, and  was ranked on top for  over  5 years  continuously.  Khanna acted in over 180 films starting with Aakhri Khat in 1967 and later did blockbusters like Do Raaste, Aaradhana, Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Anand, Andaaz, Maryada,  Haathi Mere Saathi, Chhoti Bahu, Khamoshi, Baawarchi etc. He won 3 Filmfare awards, a Filmfare Best Actor award and Lifetime Achievement award. He was also honoured with Padma Bhushan. He was Lok Sabha member in 1992 to 1998 representing Congress Party.

You may have known…. There are total 22 Constitutionally recognised languages in India. There are total 31 languages that have received the status of official languages. The total number of languages spoken by people living in India is 880. Hindi is the official language of Indian Union.                                  {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}