Karpoori Thakur Birth Anniversary

Karpoori Thakur, born on 24 January 1924, was an Indian politician from the Bihar state. He was popularly known as Jan Nayak.

Thakur was a socialist leader, belonging to the barber ('nai') community, one of the most backward castes in Bihar. He went on to become Chief Minister of Bihar twice - from 1970 to 1971 with the Samyukta Socialist Party and from December 1977 to April 1979 with the Janata Party - albeit for brief stints. However, he left an indelible mark on Bihar's deprived section - a messiah of social justice - and is often credited with the rise of backward caste politics. He was at the forefront of the anti-Emergency movement along with socialist icon Jayprakash Narayan. He was known for his integrity, simple living, and advocacy of social justice.

Thakur was the first to push for the empowerment of the backward classes, which eventually set the tone for the Mandal Commission recommendations. He was the pioneer of the 'Karpoori Thakur formula', which gave 26 per cent reservation to backward communities and classes in government services in Bihar, back in 1978. This was on the recommendation of the Mungeri Lal Commission appointed by the Karpoori Thakur government, which suggested that backward classes be reclassified as extremely backward classes (including weaker sections of Muslims) and backward classes.

The commission had, in its report, identified 128 backward communities, 94 of which were deemed 'most backward'. This became the guiding principle for backward caste reservation politics for his disciples Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar - first in the form of the Mandal Commission and later a caste census and the layered reservations formula within it.

Karpoori Thakur, the former Chief Minister of Bihar, was chosen for the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on 23 January 2024, a day ahead of his centenary birth anniversary. The announcement by the Centre was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary," he posted on X.

 

 

Jana Gana Mana adopted as National Anthem of India in 1950 by Constituent Assembly of India

 

 

“Jana Gana Mana” (lit. 'Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People') is the national anthem of the Republic of India. It was originally composed as Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata by polymath Rabindranath Tagore on 11 December 1911. The first stanza of the song Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950. A formal rendition of the national anthem takes approximately 52 seconds. A shortened version consisting of the first and last lines (and taking about 20 seconds to play) is also staged occasionally. It was first publicly sung on 27 December 1911 at the Calcutta (now Kolkata) Session of the Indian National Congress.

Vande Mataram adopted as National Song of India in 1950 by Constituent Assembly of India

 

On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopts Vande Mataram as the National Song of India

Vande Mataram, which means "I praise thee, Mother" in Sanskrit, is the national song of India. It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876.

The first two verses of the poem was adopted as the National Song of India in October 1937 by the Congress.

The poem was first published in 1882 as part of Chatterjee's Bengali novel, Anandmath.

It first gained political significance when it was recited by Rabindranath Tagore at Congress in 1896. By 1905, it had become popular amongst political activists and freedom fighters as a marching song. The song, as well as Anandmath, were banned under British colonial rule under threat of imprisonment, making its use revolutionary. The ban was ultimately overturned by the Indian government upon independence in 1947.

On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted it as the National Song of India. President of India, Rajendra Prasad stated that the song should be honoured equally with the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana. While the Constitution of India does not make reference to a "national song", the Government filed an affidavit at the Delhi High Court in November 2022 stating that Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram would "stand on the same level", and that citizens should show equal respect both.

Vande Mataram is important because it instilled a sense of patriotism and national pride in the people of India.

Vande Mataram consists of two Sanskrit verses composed in a highly ornate form of Bengali. The first verse is sung as a stanza, while the second verse is spoken.

It was later translated into many languages. The first one to translate the national song of India was Sri Aurobindo. The national song finally got the its English translation by Sri Aurobindo in 1909.

"The translation of Vande Mataram goes like this:

I worship thee, Mother,

richly wrought,

In faith and works and blended hues of thought,

In thy fair limbs how powerfully expresses

The one Supreme Deity!

Thou art wisdom, thou art ..."

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Death Anniversary

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who passed away on 24 January 2011, was a brilliant exponent in the field of Hindustani classical music, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is a legend who had not just earned the respect and admiration of his fans but that of his critics as well. Famous for perfecting the Khayal, a form of Hindustani classical, Bhimsen Joshi was also known for his presentation of devotional music. His ‘bhajans’, which were usually sung in Kannada, Hindi and Marathi languages, are widely recognized and appreciated not just by ardent music lovers but also by devotees all over the country. This versatile singer has also recorded Kannada Dasa Krithis in Dasavani, the likes which are usually sung by Carnatic musicians. His most memorable performance that is recalled by his fans even today is the song ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’. His golden voice which appealed the Indians to be united and stand as one nation is an evergreen number that is hummed even today by one and all.

Pt. Joshi is noted for his concerts, and between 1964 to 1982 Joshi toured Afghanistan, Italy, France, Canada and USA. He was the first musician from India whose concerts were advertised through posters in New York city, United States. Bhimsen Joshi was instrumental in organising the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival annually, as homage to his guru, Pandit Sawai Gandharva. 

Homi Bhabha Death Anniversary

 

Known as the ‘father of the Indian nuclear programme’, Homi Jehangir Bhabha passed away on 24 January 1966.

Born into a rich aristocratic family, Bhabha went to the University of Cambridge, England, in 1927, originally to study mechanical engineering, but once there he developed a strong interest in physics. Armed with an honours degree, he started his research in 1930 at the Cavendish Laboratories in Cambridge and in 1935 obtained a doctorate. When World War II broke out in 1939, Bhabha was in India on a holiday. With Europe in turmoil, he decided to stay, and at the behest of physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Bengaluru), he joined the institute as a reader in physics in 1940.

A visionary, Bhabha realized that the development of nuclear energy was crucial for the future industrial growth of the country, as the available sources of power and energy were limited. Funded by businessman J.R.D. Tata, Indian nuclear research began with the inception of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1945, with Bhabha at the helm. Appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission instituted by the government of India in 1948, Bhabha was instrumental in setting up the Atomic Energy Establishment in Trombay. All the scientists conducting research in nuclear power and related areas were transferred from TIFR to this institute. After the death of Bhabha in an air crash on Mont Blanc in 1966, the institute was renamed the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in his memory.

Bhabha’s contribution to the development of atomic energy made him a significant figure in international scientific circles. He served as president of the United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in 1955 and as president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics from 1960 to 1963.

National Girl Child Day - India

 

National Girl Child Day is observed on January 24 each year to shed light on the challenges faced by girls in Indian society. The day focusses on creating awareness about the inequalities girls encounter and advocates for equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and nutrition.

Through National Girl Child Day, the government aims to emphasise the principles of equality and dignity for every girl child. This annual event highlights the importance of providing equal opportunities and respect to girls, encouraging their education and overall well-being.

Annually, on this day, awareness campaigns are organised across the country to spread the message of girls' empowerment. These initiatives serve as reminders to society about the significance of offering equal opportunities and respect to every girl.

National Girl Child Day aligns with various campaigns and programs run by the Indian government, including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. It is a collective effort to address issues such as child marriage, discrimination, and violence against girls.

NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY: HISTORY

Established by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008, National Girl Child Day has been celebrated annually with a common theme. The initiative acknowledges the unique challenges faced by girls, including gender inequality, education limitations, school dropouts, healthcare issues, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY: SIGNIFICANCE

This annual event holds immense significance as it promotes gender equality and addresses the issues faced by girls in India. National Girl Child Day raises awareness about the importance of empowering girls through education, health, and social support. The initiative recognises the potential of every girl child and advocates for a society where girls can access equal opportunities and contribute meaningfully.