International Tea Day

 

International Tea Day is observed annually on December 15. It has been celebrated since 2005 in tea producing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India and Tanzania. International Tea Day aims to draw global attention of governments and citizens to the impact of the global tea trade on workers and growers, and has been linked to requests for price supports and fair trade.

Roald Amundsen, first to successfully reach the South Pole in 1911

Roald Amundsen, was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He was a key figure of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

Amundsen began his career as a polar explorer as first mate on Adrien de Gerlache's Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897–1899. From 1903 to 1906, he led the first expedition to successfully traverse the Northwest Passage on the sloop Gjøa. In 1909, Amundsen began planning for a South Pole expedition. He left Norway in June 1910 on the ship Fram and reached Antarctica in January 1911. His party established a camp at the Bay of Whales and a series of supply depots on the Barrier (now known as the Ross Ice Shelf) before setting out for the pole in October. The party of five, led by Amundsen,  became the first to successfully reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911.

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's Birth Anniversary

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC, who passed away on 14 December 1971, was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration during war time, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC. 

Nostredame's Birth Anniversary (uncertain)

Nostredame,  born on 14 or 21 December 1503, was a French astrologer, physician and reputed seer, who is best known for his book Les Prophéties, a collection of 942 poetic quatrains allegedly predicting future events. The book was first published in 1555 and has rarely been out of print since his death.

Raj Kapoor's Birth Anniversary

 

Raj Kapoor, born on 14 December 1924, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Indian cinema. Born at Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar to actor Prithviraj Kapoor– he was a member of the Kapoor family which has produced several Bollywood superstars.

Raj Kapoor is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of Hindi cinema. He received multiple accolades, including 3 National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards in India. The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award is named after Raj Kapoor. He was a two-time nominee for the Palme d'Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954). His performance in Awaara was ranked as one of the top ten greatest performances of all time by Time magazine. His films attracted worldwide audiences, particularly in Asia and Europe. He was called "the Clark Gable of the Indian film industry".

The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 for his contributions to the arts. India's highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was bestowed on him in 1987 by the Government of India.

Druk Wangyel Tshechu

The Druk Wangyel Tshechu occurs annually on December 13th, spanning just one day. Held at the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang temple situated within the Dochula Pass, approximately an hour's drive from the capital city, Thimphu, and along the route to Punakha valley, the festival offers a unique cultural experience. Against the backdrop of the majestic snow-covered Jigme Singye Wangchuck mountain range, which stands at an elevation of 3,150 meters. At the heart of the Druk Wangyel Tshechu lies a poignant tribute to the fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the Royal Bhutan Army, commemorating their valor and success in a pivotal military operation. In December 2003, this operation saw the successful expulsion of Indian militants hiding in the southern regions of Bhutan. The festival serves as a poignant reminder of this historic moment, honouring the bravery and dedication of those involved.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Druk Wangyel Tshechu

The Druk Wangyel Tshechu holds significant historical and cultural importance for the people of Bhutan. It was inaugurated in 2011 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of the Bhutanese armed forces. The festival pays homage to the gallant soldiers who have served the nation with valour and dedication, showcasing their contributions to the peace and security of Bhutan.

Nicholas Roerich's Death Anniversary

Nicholas Roerich, who passed away on 13 December 1947, was a Russian painter, writer, archaeologist, theosophist, philosopher, and public figure. In his youth he was influenced by Russian Symbolism, a movement in Russian society centred on the spiritual. He was interested in hypnosis and other spiritual practices and his paintings are said to have hypnotic expression.