Suraiya Death Anniversary

Suraiya, passed away on 31 January 2004, was a popular Indian Hindi/Hindustani film actress and playback singer in Bollywood. She was active from 1936 to 1963. No formal training in singing. No certified acting classes. Yet she ruled the silver screen for over two decades. One of the most sensational actresses during the golden eras, Suraiya is remembered for her drop-dead beautiful looks and melodious voice.

Singing Career

With the help of her maternal uncle, Zahoor (a popular villain of that epoch), Suraiya grabbed a role of a child artist in "Usne Kya Socha" in 1937. While accompanying her uncle to Mohan Studios one day in 1941 to watch the shooting of film "Taj Mahal" directed by Nanubhai Vakil, she was offered the role of young Mumtaz Mahal in the same movie. This proved to be another leap towards hitting the chartbusters. She used to sing for a children's program on All India Radio where she was once heard over by legendary music director Naushad. He instantly offered her to sing for Kardar's film "Sharda" in 1942, showcased on an elderly heroine, Mehtaab. Since she was barely in her teens, she had to stand on a stool to reach the mike and sing the song "Panchi ja". Suraiya was later launched in the 1943 "Hamari Baat" as a singing star. In the years following, she delivered some smash-away hits, but the four solo songs of "Parwana" film made her a star overnight. The composer of these songs Khawaja Khurshid Anwar was her favourite music director, but she went on to sing only 13 songs for him from 1943 through 1949.

Acting Career

After portraying a number of child artist roles, Suraiya was offered secondary roles as an adult. She starred in K. Asif's "Phool", Mehboob Khan's "Anmol Ghadi" (written by Aghajani Kashmeri), and "Dard". But it was "Tadbir" in 1945 that gave her a major break as the leading protagonist, at the recommendation of K.L. Saigal. Later, she starred in "Omar Khayyam" and "Parwana" with K.L. Saigal. But with the migration of ruling actresses Noor Jehan and Khursheed Bano to Pakistan post-independence, Suraiya got an opportunity to flaunt her talent and rule the silver screen. With three hits in hand, "Pyar Ki Jeet", "Badi Behen", and "Dillagi", Suraiya became the highest paid actress of that time. Further, she even had an edge over Kamini Kaushal and Nargis simply because she could sing her own songs. However, the success was short-lived as after a while, her movies starting bombing on the box office in the 1950s. With "Waaris" and "Mirza Ghalib", she made her comeback in 1954. The 1963 released "Rustom Sohrab" was Suraiya's last film as an actor.

 

 

 

Shri Krishna Singh Death Anniversary

 

Shri Krishna Singh, who passed away on 31 January 1961, and also known as Dr. S. K. Sinha, Sri Babu and Bihar Kesari, was the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar (1946–61). Except for the period of World War II, Sinha was chief minister of Bihar from the time of the first Congress Ministry in 1937 until his death in 1961." Along with the nationalists Rajendra Prasad and Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Singh is regarded among the Architects of Modern Bihar. led the Dalit entry into the Baidyanath Dham temple (Vaidyanath Temple, Deoghar), reflecting his commitment to the upliftment and social empowerment of dalits. He was the first Chief Minister in the country to abolish the zamindari system. He underwent different terms of imprisonment for a total of about eight years in British India. S.K. Sinha's mass meetings brought hordes of people to hear him. He was known as "Bihar Kesari" for his lionlike roars when he rose to address the masses. His close friend and eminent gandhian Bihar Vibhuti Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha in his essay mere Shri Babu wrote that, "Since 1921, the History of Bihar has been the history of the life of Shri Babu". The former President of India, Pratibha Patil, released a book on the letters of exchange between Sinha and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru titled Freedom and Beyond. The Nehru-Sinha correspondence touches on subjects such as Indian democracy in the making in early years of Independence, Centre-State relations, role of governor, turbulence in Nepal, Zamindari abolition and education scenario. Sinha was known for his scholarship and erudition and he had given his personal collection of 17,000 books to the public library in Munger in 1959 which is now named after him as Sri Krishna Seva Sadan.

Major Somanth Sharma Birth Anniversary

 

Major Somnath Sharma, PVC, born on 31 January 1923, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian gallantry award. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947. He died while evicting Pakistani infiltrators and raiders from Srinagar Airport during the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.

In his last message sent to the brigade headquarters, Major Sharma said, "The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round."

Peafowl declared the national bird of India in 1963

 

The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, the national bird of India, is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fan-shaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck.

On January 31, 1963 the peafowl was declared the national bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. It is also well-distributed within the country. 

Hindus consider this bird to be sacred because the God Kartikeya rides in the back. Legend also says the peacock is able to charm snakes and addle their eggs!

International Zebra Day

International Zebra Day is observed every year on January 31. With the national environment diminishing and increasing human development, these gentle animals are in danger. When habitats are threatened, animals too, become endangered. International Zebra Day is all about creating awareness and what you can do to help in the conservation of this animal.

Zebras are mostly found in the African continent, in the semi-desert areas of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the hilly areas of Namibia, Angola, and in South Africa. You can easily identify a zebra by its unique black and white stripes.

5 Fascinating Facts About Zebras

 A zebra’s stripes are like human fingerprints

Every zebra has a unique stripe pattern! While zebras might look the same to us from a distance, there are actually variations in each zebra’s stripes. The reason for each zebra’s distinct stripes is still a mystery to scientists, but the most widely accepted theory is that stripes allow zebras to recognize one another.

 Zebras can sleep standing up

Just like their horse relatives, zebras are able to sleep standing up by locking the joints in their knees. This helps them quickly awaken from a nap and escape from predators. However, when they need deep sleep, zebras often lay on their sides.

The plains zebra, the mountain zebra, and the Grévy’s zebra are the three types of zebras that are alive today, Grévy’s zebras are the largest, weighing up to 1,000 pounds. The plains zebras can weigh up to 850 pounds. Their territory stretches from southern Ethiopia and South Sudan to northern South Africa. The smallest zebra species, the mountain zebra, can still weigh up to 800 pounds. They are found only in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.

There are three species of zebra

The plains zebra, the mountain zebra, and the Grévy’s zebra are the three types of zebras that are alive today. Grévy’s zebras are the largest, weighing up to 1,000 pounds. The plains zebras can weigh up to 850 pounds. Their territory stretches from southern Ethiopia and South Sudan to northern South Africa. The smallest zebra species, the mountain zebra, can still weigh up to 800 pounds. They are found only in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.

Zebras’ stripes are used for camouflage

Like many animals with distinct patterns, zebras’ stripes help them camouflage themselves from predators, like lions. When zebras are in herds, their stripes help to obscure individual silhouettes, making it more difficult for predators to identify them.

Zebras have sophisticated communication skills

At least six distinct vocalizations are used by plains zebras. Snorts signal contentment while a two-syllable cry warns the herd of approaching predators. Additionally, they communicate through facial expressions. Zebras stretch their faces forward and put their ears forward to meet each other. They push their ears to their skulls when feeling threatened.

Don Bosco's Feast Day

 

On 31 January, we honour Saint John “Don” Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order, and commemorate Don Bosco's Feast Day. He was a humble, selfless servant of God who was able to see true human potential in even the most hopeless situations.

St. John Bosco, who passed away on 31 January 1888, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer of the 19th century. He was a pioneer in educating the poor and founded the Salesian order. He is a patron saint of editors, publishers, youth, apprentices, and magicians.

John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in today’s schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting corporal punishment and placing students in surroundings removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the spiritual life with one’s work, study and play.

From when he was small, John began to feel a desire to become a priest. He spoke of having had a dream at nine years of age, which revealed to him his mission: "Make yourself humble, strong and robust", a woman resplendent as the sun told him, "and what you see happening to these wolves which change into lambs, you will do for my children. I will be your teacher. In time you will understand". While still a lad, John began to do magic tricks, learned with hard effort, for his friends, and he alternated this with work and prayer.

Encouraged during his youth in Turin to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan in Turin, and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then gathered young apprentices and taught them catechism.

After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, Don Bosco opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, shoemaking and tailoring.

By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press for publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. John’s interest in vocational education and publishing justifies him as patron of young apprentices and Catholic publishers.

John’s preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own helpers because of difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854, he and his followers informally banded together, inspired by Saint Francis de Sales.

With Pope Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in 1859. Their activity concentrated on education and mission work. Later, he organized a group of Salesian Sisters to assist girls.