Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Birth Anniversary

Hrishikesh Mukherjee, born on 30 September 1922, in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, India), was an Indian film director, editor and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema. Popularly known as Hrishi-da, he directed 42 films during his career spanning over four decades, and is named the pioneer of the 'middle cinema' of India. Renowned for his social films that reflected the changing middle-class ethos, Mukherjee "carved a middle path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the stark realism of art cinema”.

He is known for a number of films, including Anari, Satyakam, Chupke Chupke, Anupama, Anand, Abhimaan, Guddi, Gol Maal, Majhli Didi, Chaitali, Aashirwad, Bawarachi, Khubsoorat, Kisse Se Na Kehna and Namak Haraam.

He also remained the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The Government of India honoured him with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1999 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He received the NTR National Award in 2001 and he also won eight Filmfare Awards.

Mehmood's Birth Anniversary

 

Mehmood Ali, popularly known simply as Mehmood, born on 29 September 1932, in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer, best known for playing comic roles in Hindi films.  

During his career of more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films and was known as Bollywood's Original Bhaijaan. Mehmood received 25 nominations for film awards, 19 for 'Best Performance in a Comic Role', while the awards started in 1954, awards for the best comedian category started only in 1967. Prior to that Mehmood also received 6 nominations for 'Best Supporting Actor'.

Miguel de Cervantes' Birth Anniversary

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, born on 29 September 1547 (assumed), in Alcala de Henares, Spain, was a Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's pre-eminent novelists. He is best known for his novel Don Quixote, a work considered as the first modern novel. The novel has been labelled by many well-known authors as the "best book of all time" and the "best and most central work in world literature".

Lata Mangeshkar's Birth Anniversary

 

Lata Mangeshkar, born Hema Mangeshkar on 28 September 1929, in Indore, Indore State, British India, was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. She is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Her contribution to the Indian music industry in a career spanning eight decades gained her honorific titles such as the "Queen of Melody" and "Voice of the Millennium".

Mangeshkar recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi, Bengali and Marathi. She received several accolades and honours throughout her career. In 1989, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was bestowed on her by the Government of India. In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, becoming only the second singer to receive India's highest civilian honour. In 2009, France made her an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest civilian award.

She was the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Playback Awards, before declining further ones, two Filmfare Special Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others. In 1974, she became the first Indian playback singer to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.

She appeared in the Guiness World Records as the most recorded artist in history before being replaced by her sister, Asha Bhosle.

 

 

 

Raja Ram Mohan Roy's Death Anniversary

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who passed away on 27 September 1833, in Stapleton, Bristol, England, United Kingdom, aged 61, was an Indian reformer and writer who was one of the founders of the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, the precursor of the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement in the Indian subcontinent. He has been dubbed the "Father of Indian Renaissance." He was given the title of Raja by Mughal emperor Akbar II (r. 1806–1837).

His influence was apparent in the fields of politics, public administration, education and religion. He was known for his efforts to abolish the practices of sati and child marriage. Roy wrote Gaudiya Vyakaran which was the first complete Bangla grammar written book.

 

World Environmental Health Day

World Environmental Health Day is observed annually on September 26 to raise awareness about the connection between environmental factors and human health. It was established in 2011 by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH).

Significance and purpose

The day promotes the crucial role of environmental health in ensuring human well-being and addresses global challenges such as: 

·        Pollution (air, water, and soil)

·        Climate change

·        Urbanization

·        Disaster risk reduction

·        Poor sanitation 

Deendayal Upadhyaya's Birth Anniversary

 

Deendayal Upadhyaya, known by the epithet Panditji, born on 25 September 1916, in Nagla Chandraban, Mathura, United Provinces, British India (present day Deendayal Dham, Uttar Pradesh, India), was an Indian politician, a proponent of integral humanism ideology and leader of the political party Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the forerunner of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Upadhyaya started the monthly publication Rashtra Dharma, broadly meaning 'National Duties', in the 1940s to spread the ideals of Hindutva revival. Upadhyaya is known for drafting Jan Sangh’s official political doctrine, Integral humanism, by including some cultural-nationalism values and his agreement with several Gandhian socialist principles such as sarvodaya (progress of all) and swadeshi (self-sufficiency).

 

Madam Cama's Birth Anniversary

 

Bhikhaiji Rustom Cama, known as Madam Cama, born on 24 September 1861, in Navsari, Bombay Presidency, British India (present day Gujarat, India), was one of the prominent figures in the Independence movement. She unfurled one of the earliest versions of the flag of independent India on August 22, 1907 and she was the first person to hoist an Indian flag in a foreign nation, at the International Socialist Conference at Stuttgart, in Germany.

 

Discovery of Neptune

 

On the night of Sept. 23-24, 1846, astronomers discovered Neptune, the eighth planet orbiting around the Sun. The discovery was made based on mathematical calculations of its predicted position due to observed perturbations in the orbit of the planet Uranus. The discovery was made using a telescope since Neptune is too faint to be visible to the naked eye, owing to its great distance from the Sun. Astronomers soon discovered a moon orbiting Neptune, but it took more than a century to discover a second one. Our knowledge of distant Neptune greatly increased from the scientific observations made during Voyager 2’s flyby in 1989, including the discovery of five additional moons and confirmation of dark rings orbiting the planet.

Michael Faraday's Birth Anniversary

 

Michael Faraday, born on 22 September 1791, in Newington Butts, England, United Kingdom, was an English physicist and chemist whose many experiments contributed greatly to the understanding of electromagnetism.

Faraday, who became one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century, began his career as a chemist. He wrote a manual of practical chemistry that reveals his mastery of the technical aspects of his art, discovered a number of new organic compounds, among them benzene, and was the first to liquefy a “permanent” gas (i.e., one that was believed to be incapable of liquefaction). His major contribution, however, was in the field of electricity and magnetism. He was the first to produce an electric current from a magnetic field, invented the first electric motor and dynamo, demonstrated the relation between electricity and chemical bonding, discovered the effect of magnetism on light, and discovered and named diamagnetism, the peculiar behaviour of certain substances in strong magnetic fields. He provided the experimental, and a good deal of the theoretical, foundation upon which James Clerk Maxwell erected classical electromagnetic field theory.

World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer's Day is observed annually on September 21st to raise global awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The day is a call to action to address the stigma, misconceptions, and challenges faced by those living with the disease and their caregivers.

The entire month of September is also recognized as World Alzheimer's Month, with awareness campaigns and activities held around the globe. 

Key focus areas of the awareness day

The day and the month are organized by Alzheimer's associations, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups worldwide to address several critical issues: 

·  Encouraging early diagnosis: Recognizing that early detection is crucial for managing the disease and improving quality of life.

·    Fighting stigma: Challenging the misconception that dementia is a normal part of aging and reducing the stigma associated with the condition.

·    Supporting caregivers: Drawing attention to the immense emotional and financial strain on caregivers and advocating for better support systems for them.

·    Promoting prevention: Educating the public on lifestyle choices that can support brain health and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

·   Advocating for research: Driving policy changes and securing funding to support ongoing research into treatment, prevention, and, ultimately, a cure. 

International Red Panda Day 2025

 

With its coppery coat, striped tail, and shy demeanour, the red panda may be one of the most captivating animals of the Himalayas, but its charm masks a grim reality. Fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild today. To spotlight this endangered species and build global momentum for its protection, International Red Panda Day 2025 is being celebrated on Saturday, September 20 (3^rd Saturday of September). Launched in 2010 by the Red Panda Network, this day has grown into a global campaign involving zoos, schools, and communities worldwide. What began as a grassroots awareness effort is now a powerful force in the international fight to prevent this species from vanishing silently into extinction.

Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande's Death Anniversary

 

Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, who passed away on 19 September 1936, in Bombay, aged 76, was an Indian musicologist who wrote the first modern treatise on Hindustani classical music, an art which had been propagated for centuries mostly through oral traditions. During those earlier times, the art had undergone several changes, rendering the raga grammar documented in scant old outdated texts.

Ragas used to be classified into Raga (male), Ragini (female), and Putra (children). Bhatkhande reclassified them into the currently used thaat system. He noted that several ragas did not conform to their description in ancient Sanskrit texts. He explained the ragas in an easy-to-understand language and composed several bandishes which explained the grammar of the ragas.

Chilean Independence Day

Chile Independence Day, celebrated as Fiestas Patrias, occurs on September 18th each year, commemorating the 1810 declaration of independence from Spanish rule. This two-day holiday, often called the "Dieciocho," involves traditional music, dancing like the cueca, food such as empanadas and anticuchos, and gatherings at festive spaces called fondas and ramdas.

What it commemorates 

·        September 18, 1810: 

This date marks the first governing body in Chile, a pivotal step toward independence from Spain.

·        War of Independence:

The declaration began an eight-year war, with full independence officially proclaimed on February 12, 1818.

Key aspects of the celebration

·  Fiestas Patrias: A beloved national holiday filled with vibrant festivities and traditional cultural practices. 

·    Dieciocho: The name for the celebration, meaning "eighteenth," after the key date. 

·    Traditional food: Attendees enjoy empanadas, anticuchos (grilled meat skewers), and the local drink, terremoto. 

·    Music and dance: The national dance, the cueca, is performed, accompanied by folk music. 

·   Gatherings: People gather at fondas and ramadas, which are festive spaces for socializing, dancing, and celebrating. 

·  National pride: The celebration fosters a strong sense of national pride and provides an opportunity to experience Chilean culture firsthand. 

 

 

 

 

Narendra Modi's 75th Birthday

 

Narendra Damodardas Modi, born 17 September 1950, in Vadnagar, Bombay State (present-day Gujarat), is an Indian politician who has served as the prime minister of India since 2014.

Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and is member of parliament (MP) for Varanasi. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindutva paramilitary volunteer organisation. He is the longest-serving prime minister outside the Indian National Congress.

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi's Birth Anniversary

 

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, born on 16 September 1916, in Madurai, Madras Presidency, British India, was an Indian Carnatic singer. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour and also the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award in 1974. She was the first Indian to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966.

National Engineers' Day - India

National Engineers’ Day is an annual observance in India, marked on September 15, marking the birth anniversary of India’s renowned and greatest engineer, Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.

Sir Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861, and is largely regarded as the creator of contemporary Indian engineering methods.

He made groundbreaking contributions to the field of civil engineering, including the design and implementation of significant infrastructure projects, which influenced modern engineering practices and national development in India.

Engineers’ Day honours his genius, contributions, and far-reaching impact in water resources, infrastructure, and national development.

It holds significant importance as it acknowledges and celebrates the profound contributions of engineers to society and development.

Along with India, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, these countries commemorate Visvesvaraya’s remarkable works by observing September 15 as Engineer’s Day.

Engineers’ Day serves as a recognition of the critical role that engineering plays in advancing technology, improving the quality of life, and driving economic growth. Here’s all you need to know about the day.

Benjamin Peary Pal's Death Anniversary

 

Benjamin Peary Pal or B. P. Pal FRS, who passed away on 14 September 1989, in New Delhi, aged 83, was an Indian plant breeder and agronomist who served as a director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Delhi and as the first Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He worked on wheat genetics and breeding but was also known for his interest in rose varieties.

Uncle Sam Day

On September 13, the United States recognizes Uncle Sam Day to commemorate Sam Wilson, the man behind the iconic image and fascinating nickname for the United States government who was born on September 13, 1766.

The origin of Uncle Sam

·        The War of 1812: During the war, Samuel Wilson was a meatpacker in Troy, New York, who provided barrels of beef to U.S. Army soldiers. 

·        The nickname begins: The barrels were stamped with "U.S." for "United States." Soldiers began joking that the initials stood for "Uncle Sam," the nickname of Samuel Wilson.

·  Spreading the story: The nickname caught on and spread among soldiers, eventually becoming a popular personification of the U.S. government.  

The modern image

The now-famous visual of Uncle Sam—a stern, white-haired gentleman in a red, white, and blue top hat—was popularized decades later: 

Thomas Nast: Cartoonist Thomas Nast helped refine the modern image of Uncle Sam in the 1870s.

James Montgomery Flagg: Artist James Montgomery Flagg's iconic 1917 "I Want You for U.S. Army" recruiting poster cemented the figure in the public imagination. The image is based on a British recruitment poster from World War I featuring Lord Kitchener. 

How the day became official

·     In 1961, the U.S. Congress formally recognized Samuel Wilson as the inspiration for the national symbol of Uncle Sam. 

·    A congressional joint resolution later designated September 13, Samuel Wilson's birthday, as "Uncle Sam Day". 

 

 

National Video Games Day (USA)

 

National Video Games Day is celebrated on September 12th to honour the history, culture, and innovation of video games. While there was a prior observance on July 8th, September 12th is now the recognized date for this holiday. It's a day for gamers to play their favourite titles, connect with others online, visit arcades, or introduce new people to the world of gaming.

History

·  National Video Games Day began as an informal celebration among gaming enthusiasts. 

·    Its origins led to an official observance that has grown in popularity. 

·  The date was established as September 12th to commemorate the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game console. 

Significance 

Innovation: The day highlights the technological advancements and creative storytelling within the video game industry. 

Culture: It acknowledges the impact and cultural significance of video games in modern society. 

Community: National Video Games Day celebrates the connections and communities that video games foster among people of all ages. 

How to Celebrate 

·   Play a favourite video game.

·   Host a gaming tournament with friends.

·   Visit a local arcade.

·    Share your gaming experiences on social media using #NationalVideoGamesDay.

·    Introduce a new person to the world of video games.

 

 

 

Mahadevi Verma's Death Anniversary

 

Mahadevi Varma, who passed away on 11 September 1987, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, aged 80, was an Indian Hindi-language poet, essayist and short-story writer. A prominent figure of Hindi literature, Varma is considered one of the four major pillars of the Chhayawadi era in Hindi literature.

Varma published eight collections of poetry between 1930 and 1988, as well as several books containing her essays, speeches, and other prose work. Varma's work depicts her experiences before and after Indian independence, as well as her own work as a social reformer, primarily in the cause of women’s liberation.

She has also been addressed as the modern Meera. Poet Nirālā once called her "Saraswati in the vast temple of Hindi Literature". These works, especially her anthology Deepshikha, greatly influenced both readers and critics.

She developed a soft vocabulary in the Hindi poetry of Khadi Boli, which previously was considered possible only in Braj Bhasha. She was also well-versed in music, and her songs were characterized by a tone that conveyed sharp expressions in a nuanced and euphemistic style.

She started her career as a teacher and went on to become the principal of Prayag Mahila Vidyapeeth. Varma chose to live an ascetic life, despite being married. She was also a painter and translator. She received all the major awards in Hindi literature.

As the most celebrated female writer of the last century, she remains highly revered. Her birth centenary was celebrated in 2007. Later, Google also celebrated this day through its Google Doodle.  

 

International Makeup Day

Every year on September 10, International Makeup Day celebrates creativity, self-expression, and the art of beauty. This global occasion shines a spotlight on evolving trends, viral hacks, and makeup techniques that social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

International Sudoku Day

 

International Sudoku Day is celebrated annually on September 9th to recognize the popular logic puzzle and encourage people to engage in brain-stimulating activities. The date, 9/9, was chosen by the World Puzzle Federation to reflect the nine-by-nine grid used in the game. The day promotes cognitive benefits like improved concentration and logical thinking, originating from the 18th-century Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler's "Latin Squares" and developed into the modern puzzle by American designer Howard Garns in the late 1970s.  

Star Trek Day

On September 8th every year, Star Trek enthusiasts celebrate Star Trek Day marking the anniversary of the original series which released on this date in 1966 in the United States. 

Gene Roddenberry who created this show introduced audiences to a completely different universe where unique and various species coexist and explore the cosmos together. 

This day celebrates the franchise's lasting impact on science fiction, pop culture and the imaginations of millions of people across the globe. 

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies aims to build a global community of action, encouraging countries to collaborate in tackling air pollution to protect our ecosystems. This day provides a platform for cooperation at individual, national, regional, and international levels to work together and invest in #CleanAirNow. The United Nations General Assembly designated 7 September as International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in 2019, and the first Day was held in 2020. This designation reflects the global community’s growing awareness of air pollution risks and underscores the necessity of further efforts to improve air quality to safeguard human and environmental health.

Brazil Independence Day

Brazil Independence Day, or Sete de Setembro (7th of September), is celebrated annually on September 7 to commemorate the nation's declaration of independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves in 1822.

History

·  The path to independence began after French forces invaded Portugal in 1807 during the Napoleonic Wars. This prompted the Portuguese royal family to flee to their colony in Brazil.

·   While in Brazil, the Portuguese Prince Regent, Dom João VI, elevated Brazil's status from a colony to an equal kingdom within the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.

·  After the French were defeated, the royal family returned to Lisbon. However, Prince Dom Pedro was left as regent of Brazil. When the Portuguese parliament later demanded that Brazil revert to its former colonial status, Dom Pedro refused. On January 9, 1822, he declared his intention to stay in the country.

·    On September 7, 1822, Princess Maria Leopoldina sent a letter advising Dom Pedro to declare independence. Dom Pedro then famously proclaimed "Independência ou Morte!" ("Independence or Death!") near the Ipiranga River in São Paulo.

·   He was crowned Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil, and Portugal officially recognized Brazil's independence in 1825. 

Celebrations

·   Military parades: Grand civil-military parades led by the president are held in Brasília, the capital. They feature military vehicles, armed forces, and public security forces. Similar parades occur in state capitals and other cities.

·  Cultural events: Throughout the country, celebrations feature music, folk performances, and cultural activities. These vary by region, with some cities, like Salvador, incorporating Afro-Brazilian traditions into their festivals.

·    Patriotic displays: Brazilians show their national pride by flying the national flag from buildings and vehicles, and wearing clothing in the national colours of green, yellow, and blue.

·    Festivals and fireworks: Major cities often host public concerts and end the day with spectacular fireworks displays. Informal street parties, or blocos, are also common.

·    Traditional food: Families and friends gather for barbecues (churrasco) and other meals. They enjoy traditional Brazilian foods like feijoada and pão de queijo.