Today’s Motto: ‘Unlike water, life does not flow over the shortest possible route’

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

On this day, 31 Oct….

1876 – Cyclone hits Bengal, centred near Bakarganj (now in Banlgadesh); about 200,000 die.

1888 – Pneumatic bicycle tyres were patented by Scottish inventor, John Boyd Dunlop.

1962 – VK Krishna Menon, Defence Minister, resigns  following public outcry  on failure to save the  country’s borders  during   attack by China.

1956 – An airplane landed at the South Pole for the first time.

2000 – Chhattisgarh, the 26th State of Indian Union, comes into existence.

2011 – The world population reaches 7 billion inhabitants according to the United Nations.

2018 – The Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue at 182 meters, is unveiled  by PM Narendra  Modi at the birthplace of  Sardar VB Patel  in Narmada Valley in Kevadia, Gujarat as a tribute to  Sardar Patel. It was designed and built by architect Ram V Sutar.

Born…. 1875 – Vallabhbhai Zaverbhai Patel, called  ‘ Sardar Patel  and  Lauh Purush, the iron man of India’. He was also the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. (His father had served in the army of the Rani of Jhansi against  Britishers). Sardar Patel undertook the tedious task of uniting  and getting merger documents signed by over 565 Princely States, who were given option by the British to join India, Pakistan or stay independent, after the British rule ends on August 15, 1947.  (only the state of Jammu & Kashmir, was left to be handled by PM Nehru).  Sardar Patel was honored with Bhaerat Ratna in 1991. (41 years after his death in 1951.)  ‘Iron man of India’. He was also the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.

1895 – C.K. Nayudu, first Indian cricket Test captain. He played an important role in Indian cricket for 47 years, as a player, administrator and BCCI official. CK Nayudu Trophy tournament is played in domestic cricket among 38 teams comprising players under-23 Years.                                                                                                                                             1927 – Narindar Singh Kapani, Indian-American physicist who is widely acknowledged as the father of fibre optics.

1943 – G Madhavan Nair, space scientist. Former Chairman  of ISRO and Secretary/Head of Govt. of India’ s  Space Research Commission. He has  been awarded Padam Vibhushan and  CNN-IBN Indian  of the  Year.

RIP….  1975 – Sachin Dev Burman, famous music director. He was a member of Tripura’s Royal family. Also known for memorable  songs, 14 in Hindi and 13 Bengali, among them.  Was awarded Padma Shri, 2 National Film and 2 Filmfare awards. His son RD Burman (Pancham Da) was also a popular music director and singer.

1984 – Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated by her bodyguards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh at her home in New Delhi at 9.20 am. The assassination happened in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, by  the Indian Army in June 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which was under the control of  Bhinderwale (pic -credit- news.bbc.co.uk).

You may have known…. 1. India shares its total 15,106.7 km land borders with seven countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. In the South, India  has Sri Lanka, Malidives as  close  neighbors in the Indian Ocean.                                                                                                                                  2.  Ashkenazic Jews, those of European ancestry, typically select a name  for kids  to commemorate a deceased relative. Sephardic Jews, those of Spanish and Middle Eastern ancestry, often name their children after living relatives.

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