Jal Manekji Cooper's Birth Anniversary

  

Jal Manekji Cooper, born on 29 March 1905, in Mumbai, was an Indian philatelist, and an expert and authenticator of the postage stamps and postal history of India. Cooper was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the author of several philatelic handbooks. He was both a stamp dealer and a collector and was associated with philatelists like C.D. Desai, N. D. Cooper, and Robson Lowe.

Cooper is occasionally but erroneously credited with having discovered the Inverted Head 4 Annas.

The 1891 reprints show that this error was already known. E. A. Smythies said the error was first discovered at a meeting of the Philatelic Society of London in 1874.

The Jal Cooper Philatelic Society, in Varanasi, India, is named after him and India Post issued a 10 rupees commemorative stamp in 1997 depicting Cooper and Indian postmarks, on the occasion of INDEPEX 97.

Utpal Dutt's Birth Anniversary

 

Utpal Dutt, born on 29 March 1929, Barisal, Bengal [now in Bangladesh] was an Indian actor, director, and writer who was a radical figure in Bengali theatre and cinema for more than 40 years.

Dutt was educated in Calcutta, where he founded the Calcutta Little Theatre Group in 1947. He twice toured with the Shakespearean International Theatre Company (1947–49; 1953–54) and was acclaimed for his passionate portrayal of Othello. From 1954 he wrote and directed controversial Bengali political plays, notably Angar (1959). He was perhaps best known for such political dramas, which he often produced on open-air stages in rural Bengal, as well as for his commitment to communist ideology. He was arrested in 1965 and detained for several months because the ruling Congress Party feared that his play Kallol was provoking antigovernment protests in West Bengal. During the 1970s three of his plays drew crowds despite being officially banned.

Dutt appeared in some 200 films, beginning with Michael Madhusudan (1950), and had considerable success as a director, particularly for Megh (1961), Jhar (1978), and Mother (1984). An intense, dramatic actor, he did some of his best work with the directors Satyajit Ray (Jana Aranya; Agantuk), Mrinal Sen (Bhuban Som; Chorus), and James Ivory (Shakespeare Wallah; The Guru). He also published books on Shakespeare and the revolutionary theatre.

International Mermaid Day

 

International Mermaid Day is observed on March 29. Tales of mythical sea creatures described as having the head and body of women and fishtails are present all around the globe. In Africa, they are the mythical water spirits, Mami Wata, in Eastern Europe, the Rusalki, which are nymphs of fertility and agriculture. In Ireland, they are called merrows. In Southeast Asia, Suvannamaccha. The symbol of the mermaids is ever-changing! In some cultures, they represent life and fertility, while in others, the destructive nature of water. The day was created in 2018 to mark the premiere of a new series Siren. Still, it can be celebrated as a continuation of humans' fascination for the creatures that lie beneath the water...

Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian holiday that is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God, and his death at Cavalry. This year Good Friday is being observed on March 29.

The history of Good Friday dates back to the early days of Christianity, when Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities and sentenced to death by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, which is why the day is called Good Friday. It is also known as Holy Friday, Black Friday, or Great Friday.

Good Friday is an important day in the Christian calendar, as it marks the beginning of the Easter weekend and the culmination of the Holy Week. It is a day of mourning and reflection for Christians all over the world, as they remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his suffering on the cross.

Good Friday is also a public holiday in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

There are many traditions associated with Good Friday, such as fasting, attending church services, and participating in processions. Some Christians also observe the day by abstaining from meat or other animal products. In some countries, it is customary to eat hot cross buns, which are sweet bread rolls with a cross on the top, to symbolise the crucifixion.

Overall, Good Friday is a solemn and meaningful day for Christians around the world. It is a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to reflect on the importance of selflessness and love for others, and to renew one's faith and commitment to Christian principles.