John Ronald Reuel Tolkien Birth Anniversary

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, born on 3 January 1892, was an English writer and philologist. He achieved fame with his children's book, The Hobbit (1937) and his richly inventive epic fantasy, The Lord of the Rings (1954-55). 

Randhir Prasad Verma Death Anniversary

Randhir Prasad Verma, who passed away on 3 January 1991, was an Indian police officer who was killed in action while fighting off a robbery attempt at a bank in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India. He was posthumously awarded the gallantry award Ashoka Chakra.

International Mind-Body Wellness Day

International Mind-Body Wellness Day is observed on January 3. It attempts to promote an all-encompassing perspective on human well-being. A sound mind, healthy emotions, and a sound body all go hand in hand. Without sufficient attention given to one, the other may suffer, which could be harmful to a person's overall welfare. The day seeks to stress the importance of taking good care of one's health and mind.

 

World's First Postage Stamp on Einstein issued in 1956

 

On January 3, 1956, Israel issued the world’s first postage stamp picturing Albert Einstein, the German born American theoretical physicist who invented the theory of Relativity. Naturally his famous equation E = mc² appears on the stamp.

Relativity is a theorem formulated by Albert Einstein, which states that space and time are relative, and all motion must be relative to a frame of reference. It is a notion that states laws of physics are the same everywhere. This theory is simple but hard to understand. 

Michael Schumacher Birthday

German ace Michael Schumacher, born on January 3, 1969, is widely recognised as being the world’s best ever racing driver and is a 7 times F1 World Champion.

In 1995, Michael became the (at that time) youngest double Formula 1 World Champion (1994 and 1995 seasons) ever. He is also the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 World Champion. This phenomenal record speaks for itself. His sixth title in 2003 beat Juan Manuel Fangio’s long-standing record of five championships from the 1950s!

Michael also holds the F1 records for: most career wins (91), most wins in a season, most career pole positions, most points during a season under the old scoring system (148 in 2004), most consecutive world championships (5), most consecutive race wins (2004), most podium finishes (154), most laps leading, most fastest laps (76), plus several others.

Unfortunately, in 2013 Michael suffered a serious head injury during a skiing accident in France. Since then, he has been receiving medical care, initially in hospital and now at his family home.

Munshi Nawal Kishore Birth Anniversary

Munshi Nawal Kishore, born on 3 January 1836, was a book publisher from India. He has been called Caxton of India. In 1858, at the age of 22, he founded the Nawal Kishore Press and Book Depot at Lucknow. This institution today is the oldest printing and publishing concern in Asia. Mirza Ghalib was one of his admirers.

Munshi Nawal Kishore published more than 5000 books in Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, English, Marathi, Punjabi, Pashto, Persian, Sanskrit and Urdu during 1858-1885. The Ram Kumar Press and Tej Kumar Press, started by his sons, are successors to the Nawal Kishore Press.

Rani Velu Nachiyar Birth Anniversary

Rani Velu Nachiyar, born on 3 January 1730, was an 18th-century warrior, remembered for her “resistance against colonialism and her works for the welfare of society”. She belonged to the Sivagangai estate in present-day Tamil Nadu - was the only daughter of the royal couple of the Sethupathi dynasty. Trained in martial arts, archery, and horseback riding, she also knew several languages, including French.

5 points about the life of celebrated warrior Rani Velu Nachiyar:

1. The government archive says she was raised as the royal heir; 'the turning point in Velu’s life was when the British - led by the son of the Nawab of Arcot - killed her husband Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar in the Kalaiyar Koil War'. Following this event, Velu and her daughter were forced to flee from their land.

2. After fleeing, she reached Dindigul - where she spent eight years under its ruler Gopal Naicker. There she also met Haider Ali, the Sultan of Mysore, and earned his favour 'as she had impressed him with her fluent Urdu and intellect', the government archives said.

3. With the support of Naicker and Sultan's forces, Velu set out to regain control over her kingdom in 1780. This historic event is also believed to have given India 'the first-ever instance of suicide bombing' devised by Velu and her military commander, Kuyuili.

4. They located the armoury chambers in the fort captured by the British. On Vijayadashmi, a team of women under Kuyuili reached the fort where 'they poured ghee on Kuyuili on her command, who then set herself on fire and walked into the chamber', in a bid to destroy the British weapons.

5. Kuyuili’s sacrifice helped pave the way for Velu to launch an attack and win her kingdom back. She fought the British, the Nawab of Arcot, and earned the title 'Veeramangai', or 'the brave one'. 

Veerpandia Kattabomman Birth Anniversary

 

Veerapandiya Kattabomman, born on 3 January 1760, was an 18th-century Palayakarrar and chieftain from Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu, India. The valiant Tamil chieftain refused to align with the sovereignty of the East India Company and single-handedly waged war against the colonialists. His father was a Palayakarar, a feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military governors appointed by the Nayaka dynasty in southern India during the 16th and 18th centuries. At the age of 30, Veerapandiya Kattabomman assumed the position of the 47th Palayakarar.

Kattabomman was captured by the British with the help of the ruler of the Kingdom of Pudukottai, Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman, at Kayathar on 1 October 1799.Following an interrogation stretching over 15 days and a ridiculous trial, he was sentenced to public execution.

Even in the face of death, Kattabomman didn’t flinch and continued to stand by his ideals of honour, dignity and prestige. He boldly argued for the right of his homeland and admonished the British for their immoral and illegal occupation of the region. 

Kattabomman was hanged on 16 October 1799, thus putting an end to the first-ever known revolt against the Empire. The remnants of his old fort at Panchalankurichi are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. On 16 October 1799, a postage stamp commemorating the bicentenary of Veerapandiya’s execution was released by the Indian government in his remembrance. 

Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary

Savitribai Phule, born on 3 January 1831, was a Maharashtrian poet, educator, and social reformer. She is regarded as the first female teacher of India. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women's rights in India during British rule. She is credited with founding the feminist movement in India. In Pune, near Bhide Wada, Savitribai and her husband established one of the first modern Indian girls’ schools in 1848. She campaigned to remove caste and gender prejudice and unfair treatment of individuals.

Chetan Anand Birth Anniversary

 

Chetan Anand, born on 3 January 1915, was a Bollywood film producer, screenwriter and director from India, whose first film, Neecha Nagar, was awarded the Grand Prix Prize (now Golden Palm) at the first ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Later, he co-founded Navketan Films with his younger brother Dev Anand in 1949.

Afsar, starring Dev Anand and Suraiya,  was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success. It was followed by Taxi Driver and Aandhiyan, both of which he directed for Navketan Films. 

While he made his reputation as a director, Anand kept on acting too occasionally. He appeared in Humsafar made in 1957. In 1957, he directed two movies Arpan and Anjali, in which he played lead roles too. He went on to act in Kala Bazar, Kinare-Kinare, Aman, Kanch Aur Heera and Hindustan Ki Kasam, which he also directed.

Anand started his own production company called Himalaya films and teamed up  with the photographer Jal Mistry, music director Madan Mohan, lyrics writer Kaifi Azmi and the actress Rajvansh. Together, they made some of the most memorable and unique films in Hindi cinema like Haqeeqat, Heer Raanjha, Hanse Zakhm, and Hindustan Ki Kasam. 

Apart from 17 feature films he is also known for the acclaimed television serial, Param Vir Chakra, which was a Broadcast by Doordarshan in 1988.

World's First Souvenir Sheet

 

Though, the world’s first stamps were issued by Great Britain, the honour of issuing world’s first souvenir sheet or miniature sheet goes to Luxembourg.

On 3 January 1923, a pane of one stamp was issued by Post Luxembourg being termed as the first souvenir sheet. This small pane with broad margins frames a single green stamp showing a view of Luxembourg. Earlier Luxembourg miniature sheets were sold in 1906 and 1921; however those sheets contained contemporary definitive postage stamps that were readily available for purchase at post offices.

This sheet was a special printing of a stamp that would be officially issued two months later. The special printing marked the birth of Princess Elisabeth, who was born on 22 December 1922. The design of the 10 F. denomination stamp features a View of Luxembourg City from the park in front of Fort Thungen. The stamp is inscribed with “GRAND-DUCHE DE” at the top and “LUXEMBOURG” at the bottom flanked by 10 on left and Fr. on right.

 Souvenir sheets were once reserved for truly special occasions. The souvenir sheet was not just World’s first but also was the first 10 F. denomination postage stamp produced in Luxembourg.