The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
built in traditional Nagar style was consecrated in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on
22 January 2024. The Hindu temple is located at the site believed to be the
birthplace of Lord Rama, the hero of Ramayana regarded as the incarnation of
God Vishnu by the Hindus.
A Special Cancellation on the said occasion was released at Mumbai GPO on the same day.
On 22 January 1901, Edward VII was proclaimed King of the
United Kingdom after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.
He was crowned on 9 August, 1902. His reign did much to restore lustre to a monarchy that had
shone somewhat dimly during Victoria’s long seclusion as a widow. In 1902 he
resumed his tours of Europe. His geniality and felicitously worded addresses
(conducted in French) during a state visit to Paris in 1903 helped pave the
way, by winning popularity among French citizens of all ranks, for the
Anglo-French Entente Cordiale of 1904. Relations with his nephew
the German emperor William II were not always easy, either
officially or personally. Although incapable of prolonged mental exertion,
Edward was fortunate in his judgment of men. His support for the great military
reforms of the secretary of state for war, Richard Burdon (later
Viscount) Haldane, as well as the naval reforms of the First Sea Lord Sir John
Fisher did much to avert British unpreparedness when World War I started.
In 1909 Edward became involved in a
government crisis after the House of Lords rejected a budget put
forth by Liberal Prime Minister H.H. Asquith. Edward’s
efforts to encourage Conservatives to pass the measure proved
unsuccessful. In the midst of the constitutional battle, Edward died on 6 May 1910.
Tarun Ram Phukan, born on 22
January 1877 in Assam, was
popularly called Deshbhakta, as he was a patriot who wore his love for
his country on his sleeve.
Inspired by Gandhiji, Phukan gave up
his practice to join the national freedom movement.
In 1920, Phukan joined the Congress
and played a prominent role in the formation of the Assam division of the
party. In 1921, when Gandhiji first visited Assam, Phukan was his trusted
companion. Phukan joined the Non-cooperation movement and travelled through the
length and breadth of Assam, delivering Gandhiji’s message. He was eventually
arrested and imprisoned for a year by the British authorities for his
participation in the Non-cooperation movement. In 1926, Phukan played a big
role in organising the All-India Congress Committee session at Pandu, Guwahati.
All the prominent national leaders like Gandhiji, Motilal Nehru, Dr Rajendra
Prasad, Sardar Patel, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and many others were a part of this
session. Gandhi stayed at Phukan’s house in Bharalumukh and performed the bideshi
bostro dah jagya (burning of foreign goods). Phukan became a prominent
figure of the Swadeshi Movement in Assam, and he popularized the use of Khadi.
For Phukan, it was important to educate those
around him about the independence movement. Being a staunch supporter of
women’s empowerment, he encouraged them to come out of their homes and take up
active roles in national activities. In 1921, when Gandhi held meetings at
Phukan’s house, several women, including his wife took part in the meetings.
Not just did they boycott made-in-Britain goods, several women began to spin
and weave indigenous cloth. They also took the initiative to make 500 khadi
caps for Congress workers to be worn during Gandhi’s visit. In other places,
women from rural villages joined hands to spread the message of
non-cooperation.
In 1921, the workers of the Assam-Bengal Railways and steam workers of
East Bengal went on an indefinite strike to protest the British government's
persecution of the Chandpur plantation labourers. Tarun Ram Phukan who, at that
time, was very active politically tried his best to broaden the strike across
the Assam-Bengal Railways' Brahmaputra Valley line. A group of young
Congressmen, including Nabin Chandra Bardoloi and others, aided him in this
endeavour. They maintained ties with Bengali nationalist leaders such as C R
Das and J M Sengupta, who were the front liners in the Bengal strike. Despite
the strike being riddled with obstacles in its course, Phukan and his
acquaintances strived to inspire and ensure that the morale of the workers was
always high.
Phukan was a visionary. However, he was not always
perceived that way. Like most freedom fighters of his time, this deshbhataka
did not get the recognition he deserved for the magnitude of work he did
for the country. His efforts at consolidating and enforcing nationalistic
fervour have not been widely mentioned in literature. To honour him, keep the
memory of his selflessness and spirit of patriotism alive, and enlighten the
younger generation, every year on 28 July the State Government of Assam
commemorates his death anniversary as Deshbhakti Divas.
Queen Victoria, who passed
away on 22 January 1901, at the age of 81, was Queen of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death.
During Victoria’s nearly 64-year reign, the British Empire was
at its largest and most powerful. The empire included India, Australia, Canada,
New Zealand and South Africa, and covered one-fifth of the globe and accounted
for roughly one in four people on Earth. Locations around the world, from
Victoria, Canada to Victoria Falls, Zambia to Queensland, Australia are named
in her honour. The Victorian Era is noted for advancements in the arts and
industry, inventions including telephone and telegraph and political reform and
change.
She also helped shape popular culture: It was
Victoria who started the trend of a bride wearing white on her wedding day and
a widow wearing all black in mourning. Albert and Victoria made decorating
Christmas trees customary. She is also credited with restoring the public’s
view of the monarchy.
World’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black features a
profile of Queen Victoria.
Ursula Kroeber Le Guin, passed away on 22 January
2018, was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction,
including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the Earthsea
fantasy series. First published in 1959, and her literary career spanned nearly
sixty years, produced more than twenty novels and over a hundred short stories,
in addition to poetry, literary criticism, translations, and children's books.
Frequently described as an author of science fiction, Le Guin has also been
called a "major voice in American Letters". Le Guin herself said she
would prefer to be known as an "American novelist".
Shah Jahan, passed away on 22 January 1666, was the
fifth Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1628 to 1658. His reign represented the
height of the Mughal architecture, most notably the Taj Mahal. His
relationship with his wife Mumtaz Mahal has been heavily adapted into Indian
art, literature, and cinema.
