Dadabhai Naoroji's Birth Anniversary

Dadabhai Naoroji, born on 4 September 1825, in Bombay [now Mumbai], India, was an Indian nationalist and critic of British economic policy in India.

Educated at Elphinstone College, Bombay (now Mumbai), he was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy there before turning to politics and a career in commerce that took him to England, where he spent much of his life.

He stood unsuccessfully for election to Parliament in 1886. In 1892, however, he was elected Liberal member of Parliament for Central Finsbury, London. He became widely known for his unfavourable opinion of the economic consequences of British rule in India and was appointed a member of the royal commission on Indian expenditure in 1895. In 1886, 1893, and 1906 he also presided over the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress, which led the nationalist movement in India. In the session of 1906, his conciliatory tactics helped to postpone the impending split between moderates and extremists in the Congress Party. In his many writings and speeches and especially in Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901), Naoroji argued that India was too highly taxed and that its wealth was being drained away to England.

 

World Skyscraper Day

 

World Skyscraper Day, celebrated every year on September 3, is a tribute to the breathtaking structures that have transformed the cities. These structures are testaments to human creativity, engineering prowess and an unwavering drive to reach for the skies. Let’s take a look at its history, significance and some interesting facts.

The World Skyscraper Day has its roots in the history of modern skyscrapers. The date was decided to commemorate the birthday of Louis H. Sullivan, an American architect also known as the Father of Skyscrapers. His work includes stunning designs and layouts. He designed some of America’s most iconic structures, including the Wainwright Building, Union Trust Building and Prudential Building.

Significance

Today, structures at least 150 meters or 465 feet tall are referred to as skyscrapers, symbolizing wealth and stature. The day holds an important significance, especially in the US, as it commemorates the engineering marvels that the world witnesses today. Earlier, the United States enjoyed the world’s monopoly on skyscrapers, accounting for nearly all of the tallest structures.

World Coconut Day

 

Coconut, often hailed as nature’s most versatile fruit, offers numerous benefits, from nutrition to skincare. Celebrated annually on September 2, World Coconut Day highlights the significance of coconut in our lives and promotes sustainable farming practices. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the diverse uses of coconuts and encouraging their consumption worldwide.

World Coconut Day: History and Significance

World Coconut Day, first celebrated in 2009, was established by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), an intergovernmental organisation under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

The APCC, representing 19 coconut-producing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, chose September 2 for this annual observance to commemorate the organisation’s founding in 1969. Each year, the International Coconut Community sets a theme for the day which aims at highlighting the importance and health benefits related to coconuts.

This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the many health benefits of coconut. Not just nutritional importance, this fruit also has an economic impact, especially in tropical regions.

Uses of Coconut

Coconut Water: The clear liquid inside young coconuts is a refreshing drink rich in electrolytes, making it a popular natural beverage for hydration.

Coconut Milk: Extracted from grated coconut meat, coconut milk is widely used in cooking, especially in curries, soups, and desserts, adding a rich, creamy texture.

Coconut Oil: Used for cooking, skincare, and hair care, coconut oil is prized for its moisturizing properties and is a common ingredient in beauty products.

Coconut Meat: The white flesh of the coconut can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in various culinary dishes, including sweets, snacks, and baked goods.

Coconut Flour: Made from dried, ground coconut meat, coconut flour is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour used in baking.

Coconut Sugar: Derived from the sap of the coconut palm, coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar.

Coir: The fibrous husk of the coconut is used to make coir, which is utilized in producing ropes, mats, brushes, and even eco-friendly potting soil.

Activated Charcoal: Coconut shells are often used to produce activated charcoal, which is used in air and water purification, as well as in health products.

Coconut Shell Crafts: The hard shell of the coconut is used to create decorative items, utensils, and handicrafts, showcasing its versatility.

Coconut Leaves: The leaves of the coconut palm are used for weaving baskets, mats, and thatching roofs, especially in traditional cultures.

Coconut Vinegar: Made from fermented coconut sap, coconut vinegar is used as a tangy condiment in cooking and as a health tonic.

Coconut Butter: A spread made from pureed coconut meat, coconut butter is used in cooking, baking, or as a topping for toast and desserts.

Activities to Celebrate World Coconut Day

Coconut-Themed Cooking: Host a cooking class or potluck featuring dishes made with coconut ingredients, such as coconut milk curries, coconut desserts, and refreshing coconut water drinks.

Coconut Craft Workshops: Organize a workshop where participants can create crafts using coconut shells, leaves, and coir, such as jewellery, decorative items, or eco-friendly products.

Coconut Plantation Tours: Arrange a visit to a local coconut farm or plantation to learn about coconut cultivation, harvesting, and the different uses of coconuts.

Coconut Recipe Sharing: Encourage people to share their favourite coconut-based recipes online or within the community, highlighting the versatility of this amazing fruit.

Health and Wellness Events: Conduct a session on the health benefits of coconut products, such as coconut oil, water, and milk, and how they can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.

World Letter Writing Day

 

World Letter Writing Day is celebrated on September 1 every year. This day aims to remind people of the simple beauty of sending or receiving a letter. Technological advancements have made communication faster and more convenient, progressing from sign language to written letters to phone calls, and now to video calls. However, nothing can beat the joys of penning down one’s feelings for their near and dear ones.

Presently, letters are exclusively used in formal paperwork. In order to uphold the practice of writing letters in the future, it is important for us to write letters to our loved ones more frequently.

History of World Letter Writing Day

World Letter Writing Day was established in 2014 by Richard Simpkin, an Australian photographer and author. Simpkin, known for his “Australian Legends” project in which he photographed and interviewed prominent Australians, was inspired by the power of handwritten letters he received from these notable figures.

Recognising the diminishing practice of letter writing in the digital age, he founded this day to promote the art of handwritten communication. The date, September 1st, was chosen to coincide with the beginning of spring in Australia, symbolising new beginnings and fresh connections.

Importance of National Letter Writing Day

Letter Writing Day commemorates and honours the traditional method of communication in the modern era of text and email. It allows you to reach out to people you have lost contact with and encourages thoughtful communication, as opposed to using instant messaging.

Below are a few excellent reasons for writing a letter

·  It's a considerate way to connect with the people you care about.

·  The recipient could hold onto your letter for many years.

·   Individuals who engage in writing thank-you notes experience increased feelings of happiness and contentment in their lives.

·   It's an excellent method to enhance a friendship, marriage, or any other important relationship

·  Assisting someone in comprehending your viewpoint or stance on a particular subject can be beneficial.

·   This traditional form of communication will be appreciated by your older friends and relatives.

·    Having attractive handwriting allows you to display your mastery in penmanship.

Letter writing has several unique qualities, including:

1.     Therapeutic: Writing therapeutic letters can serve as a cathartic outlet, allowing you to express your emotions, release negative thoughts, and cultivate gratitude.

2.     Tangible: Letters are tangible artifacts that can be held, felt, and read by future generations.

3.    Personal: There’s something uniquely personal and human about the act of letter writing that technology simply can’t replicate.

4.  Meaningful: Writing letters can offer a meaningful substitute for in-person visits, thereby strengthening the bonds of friendship and family.

5.     Timeless: The act of letter writing is timeless, transcending the constraints of time and space.

6.     Keepsake: Handwritten letters can become cherished keepsakes, serving as a constant reminder of the emotions shared between the sender and the recipient.

7.     Elicits emotions: The tactile experience of receiving a handwritten letter can stir a wide range of emotions, from nostalgia to joy.

The core of letters established a profound closeness as each one carried the unmistakable mark of its writer. All the pleasant aromas from your home and garden clippings can be included in a letter that is mailed out.

Digital media lacks the personal touch found in traditional methods, so take advantage of World Letter Writing Day to acknowledge the beauty of handwritten letters.

Letters have many purposes, including: Letters serve various functions, such as delivering updates, well-wishes, or particular details. Using letters can help establish connections with unfamiliar individuals and strengthen relationships with close ones.

Correspondence can offer a record of connections that can be cherished and revisited. The use of letters remains crucial for formal communication, including cover letters, bank reminders, and college acceptance letters.

Origin of Latter Writing

Throughout history, letters have journeyed from ancient India, Egypt, and Sumer, passing through Rome, Greece, and China, all the way to the present time. Ancient Indian texts refer to a messenger system, and it seems that there was a postal system in Egypt dating back to 2000 BCE.

Another claim in dispute is that Atossa, a Persian queen, may have written the first handwritten letter around 500 BCE. Although the letters she penned are no longer around, the tradition of writing for communication and documentation lives on.

Letter Writing in India

The East India Company established the current Indian postal system. Post offices were set up in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta from 1764 to 1766.

During Warren Hastings' time as governor general of India in 1774, 'copper tickets' were introduced in Patna, serving as prepaid token stamps valued at two annas. This gave the general public access to the postal service, allowing letters to be sent by individuals rather than just by government and business entities.

The Significance of Letters in Indian Literature

Indian literature contains numerous letters that offer important perspectives on the culture, emotions, and events of the period. In Sanskrit epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, letters play a key role in advancing the story and uncovering hidden truths.

These letters, frequently penned by individuals in moments of turmoil or profound thought, showcase the influence of written language in expressing feelings and untangling intricate scenarios. In Indian poetry, there is also a strong focus on the art of composing love letters, incorporating verses that convey desire, fervour, and eloquence.

How to celebrate World Letter Writing Day

·   Take a moment and think about the individuals who have a significant role in your life. Take out your high-quality paper, ensure you fill your pen with your preferred ink, ignite the fragrant candle, and begin writing down your thoughts. When you start writing, you will discover that the gradual speed of writing helps you carefully locate your thoughts, ensuring your emotions are as genuine as they can be. Letter Writing Day is a great time to reach out to old friends or relatives, expressing your feelings and reconnecting with loved ones.

·    Purchase postcards from a nearby store, write brief messages on them, and mail to friends, family, and strangers.

·   Craft your own set of stationery! Create playful patterns on cardstock paper, cut into shapes, assemble with glue, and embellish with stickers for a distinctive appearance. Your letters will now be noticeable.

 

Pranab Mukherjee's Death Anniversary

 

Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away on 31 August 2020, in Delhi, aged 84, was an Indian politician and government official who served as president of India (2012–17). He succeeded Pratibha Patil (served 2007–12), India’s first woman president.

Mukherjee’s father, Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, was deeply involved in India’s struggle for independence from Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. A longtime member of the Indian National Congress (Congress Party), the elder Mukherjee spent several years in prison as a result of his activities opposing British rule and, after Indian independence, held a seat in the state legislature of West Bengal (1952–64). Pranab was educated at the Suri Vidyasagar College (then affiliated with the University of Calcutta), and he later earned an advanced degree in history and political science as well as a law degree from the university. In 1963 he accepted a teaching position at a small college near Calcutta (now Kolkata) that was associated with the university. He also became editor of a Bengali-language monthly periodical and, later, worked for a weekly publication.

Mukherjee first ran for public office in 1969, when he won a seat in the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of the Indian parliament as a member of the Bangla Congress, which soon merged with the Congress Party. He served an additional four terms, although he left that chamber in 2004 and contested and won a seat in the Lok Sabha (lower house). He served there until mid-2012, when he ran for president of India.

Early on in his career in the legislature, Mukherjee became a protégé of Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India in 1966–77 and 1980–84. Under her tutelage, he began in 1973 to fill administrative positions of increasing responsibility in the cabinet, and in 1982 he was named to the important post of minister of finance. Following the assassination of Gandhi in 1984, however, Mukherjee had a falling out with Rajiv Gandhi, her son and successor (1984-89) as prime minister, and was relegated to the political backwater. He subsequently left the Congress Party in 1986 and by early 1987 had formed his own small political party. By 1989, however, the two men had been reconciled, and Mukherjee had merged his group back into Congress.

Mukherjee’s fortunes improved in 1991 when, after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, P.V. Narasimha Rao took leadership of Congress and, after the party’s success in parliamentary elections, was named prime minister. Under Rao (who served until 1996) and the party’s Manmohan Singh (who became prime minister in 2004), Mukherjee held most of the major ministerial portfolios in the cabinet: commerce (1993–95), external affairs (1995–96 and 2006–09), defense (2004–06), and finally back to finance (2009–12). He also occupied several important legislative posts, including leader of the Rajya Sabha (1980–84), Congress Party whip in the upper house (1996–2004), and leader of the Lok Sabha (2004–12). In addition to his government activities in India, Mukherjee was involved with a number of prominent international organizations, most notably occupying seats on the boards of governors of the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank during his two stints as finance minister.

In June 2012 the Congress Party chose Mukherjee as its candidate for the Indian presidency. Because the office is nonpartisan, he resigned from the Lok Sabha (also relinquishing the Finance Ministry) and the party. He easily won the July 19 election and was sworn into office six days later. The presidency is viewed as a largely ceremonial post. However, observers noted that Mukherjee, with his decades of experience in government and politics, was more engaged in governance than most of his predecessors. In 2017 Mukherjee’s term as president ended, and he was succeeded by Ram Nath Kovind. He died in August 2020 after brain surgery left him in a coma and after suffering from septic shock due to a lung infection.

Mukherjee was the author of several books, including Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy (1984) and Challenges Before the Nation (1993). In 2019 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

 

 

National Small Industry Day (India)

 

India commemorates National Small Industry Day on August 30 as a tribute to the invaluable role played by small-scale industries in the country’s progress. The day serves as a platform to encourage and bolster growth in enterprises within the MSME sector, foster the establishment of new businesses and create job opportunities.  

Notably, on August 30, 2000, the government had reportedly unveiled an extensive policy package aimed at bolstering the small-scale industry, a pivotal moment that led to the annual observance of National Small Industry Day. The terms Small Scale Industry (SSI) registration and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) registration are used interchangeably, with the MSME Development Act of 2006 designed to facilitate the advancement, expansion, and competitive edge of MSMEs or SSIs.

On May 9, 2007, the former Ministry of Small-Scale Industries and the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries were amalgamated to establish the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

On the other hand, the United Nations General Assembly has officially designated June 27 as MSME Day with the aim of amplifying public recognition of the significant role that MSMEs play in advancing sustainable development and the overall global economy.

The day has been observed since 2017 subsequent to the passage of a resolution within the Assembly during the year.

 

National Sports Day (India)

 

Every year on 29th August, India comes together to celebrate National Sports Day. This event commemorates the birth anniversary of one of the iconic hockey players, Major Dhyan Chand. National Sports Day not only celebrates his birth anniversary but also emphasises the importance of sports and physical activities in our daily lives.  National Sports Day is an opportune moment to reflect on the significance of sports in fostering national unity, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and inspiring the younger generation to engage in physical activities.

History

This day marks the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who was born in 1905, in a Rajput family in Allahabad. Dhyan Chand had followed the footsteps of his father and joined the Army. It was in the Army where Dhyan Chand took up hockey. The hockey wizard brought various laurels to the nation and was part of the Indian hockey team which struck gold in the Olympics of 1928, 1932, and 1936. He scored more than 400 goals in his career which spanned over 22 years.

Dhyan Chand led the team with three goals in the 1936 Berlin Olympic final, which they won 8-1 against Germany. The game represented the height of India's hockey achievements under Dhyan Chand's leadership.

Even after retiring, he continued to make contributions to the game. He taught at several coaching camps in Rajasthan in addition to serving as head coach at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala.

Significance

On National Sports Day every year, the president of India gives out all the sports-related awards like the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to honour sportspersons and coaches who have made the nation proud in their respective sport.

The Khelo India movement, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated in 2018, is one of the sporting initiatives that the government has launched on this day over the years.