Today’s Motto: ‘Whatever is good in the world, is worth fighting for’

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

On this day, 16 Mar….

1527 – Rana Sangram Singh, King of Mewar, attacked on Mughal Emperor Babur near Kanwa at Agra.

1830 – London’s re-organised police force is  named Scotland Yard  because the original Metropolitan Police headquarters had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard.

1955 – President Eisenhower upheld the use of atomic weapons in case of war.

1960 – In New York a car was displayed with a battery recharged by solar cells.

1999 – The Shiromani Akali Dal creates a record by unanimously electing Bibi Jagir Kaur Begowal as the first woman president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak  Committee  (SGPC).

2012 – Sachin Tendulkar becomes first cricketer to score 100 international centuries.

2023 – Emmanuel Macron’s government uses special powers to force through pension reform, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, amid widespread protests.

Born…. 1556 – Amarsingh, 14 th Rajput king of Mewar, the  eldest son  of Maharana Pratap I, who ruled over Mewar, Chittor and Udaipur,  from  Jan. 19, 1597  to Jan. 20, 1620 (until his  death).

1693 – Malhar Rao Holkar. A  brave commander of Maratha empire, who became the first king of  Holkar dynasty and ruled over  Malwa state,  with capital at Indore upto May 20, 1766. He defeateds the Mughals in several battles.  Ealier he helped Maharaja   Surajmal in Delhi and north Indian areas and   Mahadrao Scindia  to control  over Gwalior. His son Khandekar Rao died early in a war, so he helped his daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar to  rule over Indore. She was a very brave and efficient adminstrator, religious  and philanthropist.

1910 – Iftikhar Ali Khan,  Prince of  a small state of  Pataudi (Haryana).  A popular cricketer, who played for England (1932-34)  and India, after  1946.  His mother inherited the control of the state of  Bhopal due to death of  her father Hamidullah Khan and elder sister Abida Khan shifting to Pakistan in 1947.   Her estate passed on his son  Mansoor Ali Khan though it is now disputed due to some maniipulation of records.

1958- General Bipin Rawat PSM, UYSM, AYSM. A Four Star General of  Indian Army   who became  chief and first  Chief of Chief Staff (Dec. 31, 2019- Dec. 08, 2021). He died in a helicopter crash due to bad weather, in Bandishola (Kerala-Tamil Nadu borders).

1971 – Rajpal Yadav, Bollywood comedian  and popular  actor. Started filmy career with  Ram Gopal Verma’s  film Jungle in 2000 and went on work in over  50 films like Hangama, Kal Ho Na Ho, Waqt (remake), Phir Hera Pheri,  Bhool Bhulaiyay, Main Meri  Patni  aur Voh, Chhup  Chhup ke,  Dhol etc. He was nominated  to IIFA, Yash Bharati  and  other  film awards.

RIP:  1899 -Joseph Medill. Canadian writer, editor who co-founded Chicago Tribune, becae Mayor of Chicago (1971-73).                                                                                                                                                                                                            You may have known….  Freddie Mercury, the legendary singer of the rock band ‘Queen’ was born a Parsi with the name Farrokh Bulsara while the famous Oscar winning Hollywood star Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji.                                                                                                                                              {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}