Baji Rao I Birth Anniversary

Baji Rao I, born on 18 August 1700, in Dubere, was a peshwa, or chief minister, of the Maratha confederacy from 1720 to 1740 during the reign of Shahu (1708–49). Baji Rao’s conquests were one of several contributors to the decay of the Mughal Empire, especially under Emperor Muhammad Shah (1719-48).

Baji Rao succeeded his father, Balaji Vishvanath Bhat, as peshwa in 1720, establishing hereditary succession for the post. His tenure oversaw the expansion in power and influence of the peshwa as well as of the dominion of the Marathas, especially into Malwa (now in Madhya Pradesh) and Gujarat. Upon Shahu’s death in 1749, Baji Rao’s son and successor, Balaji Baji Rao, became the virtual ruler of the Maratha confederacy.

Baji Rao’s success was achieved through military conquest and effective diplomacy, including the formation of alliances with Rajput princes, the ability to defeat and extract compromises from the Nizam al-Mulk of Hyderabad, and the implementation of a tax regime over a vast area of former Mughal territory. At the same time, the large territorial holdings under the Marathas allowed rival chiefs to assert a certain amount of independence, setting up the peshwas for setbacks later. The most notable instance was Baji Rao’s appointment of Malhar Rao Holkar as his chief general in Malwa in 1724. Holkar was able to set up a dynasty, which challenged Baji Rao II in 1801 and forced him to flee to the city of Bassein, where he sought protection from the British.  After a feud between Baji Rao II and the British in 1817–18, the peshwa ceased to exist.

Laxmidas Borkar's Centenary Birth Anniversary

Laxmidas Krishna Borkar, born Dattaram Krishna Borkar on 17 August 1925, in Kusman, Quepem, Goa, was a multifaceted figure whose life embodied the spirit of Goan resistance, journalism, and cultural preservation. As a freedom fighter, journalist, and writer, Borkar’s contributions to Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule and the nurturing of its unique identity—often referred to as “Goan-ness”—left an indelible mark on the state’s history. His journey, marked by courage, intellectual rigour, and a deep love for his homeland, continues to inspire Goans today.

Gabon Independence Day

Gabon, a small country in Central Africa, celebrates Independence Day on August 17th. It commemorates the country's independence from France in 1960. The day is marked by national festivities, parades, and other celebratory events. 

Gabon gained independence on August 17, 1960, after a period of French colonial rule. The country had been part of French Equatorial Africa since 1910, and before that, various regions were ceded to the French in treaties. In 1958, Gabon became an autonomous republic within the French Community, and finally achieved full independence in 1960. 

The anniversary of Gabon's independence is a public holiday, and celebrations often include official speeches, parades, drum shows, traditional dances, and fireworks at La Place de Fetes. It's a day for the Gabonese people to celebrate their freedom and unity. 

International Homeless Animals Day - Third Saturday of August

 

International Homeless Animals Day is observed on the third Saturday of August, which this year falls on August 16th. It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of homeless animals and encouraging communities to address the issue of animal homelessness. The day was established by the International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR) in 1992. 

Here's how you can participate: 

Volunteer at a shelter:

Offer your time to help feed, clean, and play with animals at a local shelter.

Donate to shelters:

Contribute food, toys, blankets, or money to support the work of animal shelters.

Consider fostering or adopting:

Provide a temporary or permanent home for a homeless animal.

Spread awareness:

Educate your friends and family about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the issue of animal homelessness.

 

 

50 Years of the iconic Hindi film, Sholay

 

In 1975, a watershed moment transformed Indian cinema forever. Sholay, widely regarded as Bollywood’s most iconic film, premiered on a Friday, as Indian films do. This, however, was not just any Friday—it was August 15, the anniversary of India’s independence from British rule in 1947. On the eve of independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first prime minister, had delivered a famous speech heralding India’s “tryst with destiny.” Almost 30 years later, Sholay became Bollywood’s tryst with destiny; it held the box-office record as highest-grossing film for 19 years, ran for five years in a cinema hall in Bombay (now Mumbai), captured the public imagination as few Indian films have before or since, and is regarded as an evolutionary milestone in Hindi cinema.

At once a western, revenge thriller, bandit drama, buddy film, comedy, and musical, Sholay is all things to all fans. The plot follows Jai and Veeru, best friends and petty criminals who are hired by former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the dreaded bandit Gabbar Singh, who is terrorizing Thakur’s village, Ramgarh.

World Lizard Day

World Lizard Day is celebrated annually on August 14th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about lizards and their importance in ecosystems. It's a time to learn about the diverse world of lizards, appreciate their unique characteristics, and understand the threats they face, such as habitat loss and climate change. 

Here's why World Lizard Day is important:

·        Biodiversity:

Lizards are a highly diverse group of reptiles with over 7,000 species found on every continent except Antarctica.

·        Ecological Roles:

Lizards play vital roles as predators, prey, and decomposers within their ecosystems, contributing to overall biodiversity. 

·        Conservation:

Recognizing the threats faced by many lizard species due to habitat loss, climate change, and other factors, World Lizard Day helps promote conservation efforts. 

International Wolf Day

 

International Wolf Day is celebrated by people all over the world on August 13 every year. It commemorates wolves and brings to the forefront their struggles. Wolves are highly intelligent animals with sophisticated social organizations and characteristic patterns of behaviour.

History and importance of Wolf Day

International Wolf Day was started in 2003 to make people more aware of wolves and their needs for conservation. The day seeks to transform negative attitudes toward wolves, widely regarded as dangers, by informing people on their importance in maintaining ecosystems. Wolves contribute to balance by regulating the populations of prey and facilitating biodiversity. The value of the day is in the promotion of coexistence between humans and wolves, with emphasis on continuous conservation worldwide. It is a reminder of the need to preserve endangered species and natural habitats, promoting respect for wildlife and the environment.

Wolf Species and Social Life

There are two primary wolf species currently: the gray wolf and the Ethiopian wolf. The Ethiopian wolf is scarce, with only around 500 remaining in the wild. The gray wolf is more widespread, with approximately 250,000 occurring in the Northern Hemisphere. Wolves inhabit packs under a male and female alpha. Each wolf's howl is distinctive, similar to a human fingerprint. This allows wolves to identify one another from afar.

History of Decline and Efforts to Recover

Wolves had nearly been driven to extinction in Europe and America. When human populations increased, wolves lost their natural habitat. They occasionally preyed on livestock and farmers attacked them. This led to massive hunting and killings of wolves. There have been conservation policies and reintroduction schemes that have allowed wolves to come back in Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany. Farmers continue to see wolves as a menace even with all these attempts. Illegal killings persist in some areas.