Today’s Motto: ‘Those who can laugh at themselves never cease to be amused’

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

On this day, 22 Jan….

1849 – The Siege of Multan ended in Second Anglo-Sikh War: The Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-1849 was one of the last major military conflicts between the East India Company and an important Indian power before the 1857 revolt, and resulted in the annexation of the Punjab by the British (pic credit-Getty Images).

1986 – Satwant Singh, Balbir Singh and Kehar Singh were sentenced to death for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

1993 – A Patna-Lucknow-Delhi IA flight IC-810 was hijacked by a certain Satish Chandra Pandey shortly after take-off.

1997 – Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, former Union Ministers Ajit Singh, Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav and five others chargesheeted by CBI in Rs. 3.5 crore Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs bribery case.

1999 – Graham Stewart Staines, an Australian missionary, and his 2 sons were burned to death in Manoharpur by activists of the Bajrang Dal. A trial court later sentenced Dara Singh to death but in 2011 it was reduced to life in prison on appeal.

2002 – In Calcutta heavily armed gunmen attacked the U.S. government cultural centre. Five police officers were killed and twenty others, including one pedestrian and one private security guard, were wounded.

2024 – Ayodhya temple is inaugurated PM Narendra Modi,  RSS Chief Bhagwat and  Ram Janambhoomi Nyas selected Pujaris,  in a grand ceremony. Ram Lalla gets his home after over 500 years and  long legal battles with Supreme Court verdict in 2019 in favour of exiastence of Ram Janambhoomi at the  disputed Babri Majid site..

Born…. 1645- William Kidd. A Scottish  sea pirate who  looted sailors in the Indian Ocean area. Was executed for his  misdeeds in 1701.  Was also projected as an adventurer in  children’s Comic books.

1788 – Lord G G Byron, one of the greatest  British romantic and witty poets, who wrote Don Juan De Marco, Gothic, The Vampyre, A Soap Opera etc.

1925 – Vijay Anand, popular actor, screenwriter & a successful director, younger brother of Chetan Anand and Dev Anand.  Known as Goldie, he acted in about  films and produced/directed  films like Nau Do Gyarah,  Agra Road (1957),  Haqeeqat, Guide, Jewel Thief, Kora Kaagaz, Teesri Manzil,  Johny Mera Naam,  Chor Chor, Chhupa Rustam, Mein Tulsi Tere Angan Ki, Tere Mere Sapne etc.  Some were produced under Navketan Films banner. His  family films were banned during  Emergency in 1975-77.  He  later worked as NBFC Chairman during 2001-02  but soon  resigned following differences with then Ministry of Inf. & Broadcasting. He won 6 National Film and 4 Filmfare awards and more nominations.

1972 – Namrata Shirodkar, model and Bollywood actor and sister of  glamorous actor Shipa Shirodkar. She won Femina Miss India contest in 1993.   Namrata acted in Bride & Prejudice, Mere Do Anmol Ratan,  Pukar, Hathyar, Dil Viln Pyar Vyar etc.  She was nominated to some Filmfare awards and nominations.

RIP…. 1666 – Shahjahan, 4th  Mughal emperor, died at the Agra fort as a prisoner (imprisoned by his son Auragzeb in 1658).

1901 – Queen Victoria. The English monarch who ruled England and its colonies  from 1837 to 1901  the longest ever period  than the earlier kings. Also known for promoting industry, trade and  spread of British  empire.

You may have known….

Waterworks were undertaken during the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire era from the 12th to 18th centuries. However, these were primarily to supply water to the palaces and parks of the sultans and other officials.

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