On August 5 each year,
the U.S. honours a very special mollusk, the oyster, for National Oyster
Day. Enjoyed as seafood in many parts of the world, this fine delicacy
needs no introduction, but someone certainly thought it could use a
celebration. Boil it, eat it fresh, put it in soup — there are many delicious
ways to feast on oysters and just as many ways to enjoy this particular day.
Assistance Dog Day is
celebrated on August 4 every year. Dogs are a man’s best friend because of
their loyalty and dedication, but assistant dogs take this to a whole new
level. These dogs help people with disabilities or illnesses to navigate
through life. They help where they can and perform simple tasks like guiding
their owner’s path, helping fetch an item, and lots of other activities. These
dogs and their trainers deserve to be celebrated, and so this brought about
Assistance Dog Day which aims to raise funds and increase awareness of the work
they do. It makes up part of International Assistance Dog Week.
International
Clouded Leopard Day is an annual event
held on August 4 to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts
for the clouded leopard, a wild cat species native to Southeast Asia.
The day was
initiated in 2010 by the Clouded Leopard Project to generate public interest
and support for the conservation of clouded leopards and their habitats, as
they face threats from hunting for fur and habitat loss.
Dr. Maithili Sharan Gupt, born on 3 August 1866, in Chirgaon, North-Western Provinces, British India, was one of the most important modern Hindi poets. He is considered one among the pioneers of Khari Boli (plain dialect) poetry and wrote in Khari Boli dialect, at a time when most Hindi poets favoured the use of Braj Bhasha dialect. He was a recipient of the third highest (then second highest) Indian civilian honour of Padma Bhushan, For his book Bharat-Bharati (1912), widely quoted during India's freedom struggle, he was given the title of Rashtra Kavi] by Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1956, Rashtrakavi Maithili Sharan Gupt Abhinandan Samiti Calcutta published an Abhinandan Granth, a comprehensive 1000-page document in honour of his life and work.
His family
now runs the RMSG Group of Institutions in Chirgaon, promoting his ideals of
empowering education, especially among girls.
Shakeel Badayuni, born on 3 August 1916, in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, was a renowned Indian Urdu poet and lyricist, celebrated for his romantic and soulful contributions to Hindi cinema, particularly during its "Golden Era".
Early life and education
· Received
early education at home in various languages: Arabic, Urdu, Persian, and Hindi.
· Influenced
by a distant relative, Zia-ul-Qadiri Badayuni, a religious shayar.
· Attended Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he actively participated in and won numerous inter-college mushairas (poetry symposiums).
Career
· Began his
career working as a supply officer in Delhi after graduating from AMU.
· Moved to
Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1944 to pursue a career as a lyricist.
· Achieved
instant success with his first film, "Dard" (1947), in collaboration
with music director Naushad.
· Formed a
legendary partnership with Naushad, crafting lyrics for iconic films like
"Baiju Bawra" (1952), "Mother India" (1957), and
"Mughal-e-Azam" (1960).
· Also
collaborated with other prominent music directors such as Ravi and Hemant
Kumar.
· Penned
numerous successful songs, including "Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho"
(Chaudhvin Ka Chand), "Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin" (Gharana), and
"Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" (Bees Saal Baad).
· Wrote poetry outside of films as well, with his ghazals being immortalized by singers like Begum Akhtar and Talat Mehmood.
Legacy and recognition
· Known as a
master of romantic poetry, his lyrics resonated with masses for decades.
· Achieved a
hat-trick of Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist in consecutive years
(1961-1963).
· Honoured
with a postage stamp by India Post in 2013.
· Died on 20
April 1970, at the age of 53, succumbing to diabetes complications.
· A trust called "Yaad-e-Shakeel" was formed by his friends to support his bereaved family.
Shakeel Badayuni's impactful words continue to resonate with listeners
even today.
Sandcastle Day takes place on the first Saturday of August. This year, it falls on August 2nd. This fun-filled day encourages beachgoers of all ages to get creative in the sand and build their best sandcastles. It’s a perfect opportunity for families and friends to enjoy a day at the beach, showcasing their artistic skills and engaging in friendly competition.
This fun Day is all about celebrating the joy of playing in the
sand and appreciating the beauty of temporary art created by hands and
imagination. Building sandcastles is a timeless beach activity that fosters
creativity, teamwork, and a connection with nature. Whether you’re an expert
sculptor or a beginner, this day is meant for everyone to enjoy the simple
pleasure of building and decorating sand structures.
Origin of Tirupati Laddu
The journey of the Tirupati Laddu prasadam dates back to August 2, 1715, when the tradition of offering laddus to Lord Venkateshwara first began. Before this, simpler offerings were presented during the puja, such as curd rice, suyyam, appam, athirasam, and a sweet murukku known as Manoharam. Although the first laddu was offered to the deity in 1715, it was not yet distributed to devotees. Instead, a different prasadam, called "poondhi," was given to them starting in 1803, while full laddus were reserved exclusively for zamindars and other important dignitaries. The laddu we know today was still in the process of becoming the iconic prasadam.
The Birth of Tradition: Laddus to Devotees
A turning point came in 1932 when the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) was formed to manage the affairs of the temple. The distribution of laddus to devotees didn’t begin until 1940. This was when Nithya Kalyanam, the daily marriage ritual for Lord Venkateswara, was introduced. During the Kalyanam Utsavam, devotees received laddus made from a special recipe passed down through the descendants of Kalyanam Iyengar. The flavour was so remarkable that devotees urged the TTD to make the laddu the temple’s official prasadam. Responding to these requests, the TTD replaced "poondhi" with laddus, and from 1940 onwards, this delightful sweet became synonymous with Tirumala.
Types of Tirupati Laddu
Proktham Laddu: Regularly distributed to common pilgrims, weighing between 60-75 grams. It is produced in large quantities.
Asthanam Laddu: Specially prepared for festive occasions, this larger laddu weighs 750 grams and contains extra cashews, almonds, and saffron.
Kalyanotsavam Laddu: Given to devotees participating in the Kalyanotsavam and select Arjitha Sevas. In high demand, it has a limited production compared to the Proktham Laddu and a shelf life of up to 15 days due to advanced packaging.
Geographical Indication
In 2008, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam registered a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Tirupati Laddu, recognizing its unique preparation methods and distinct taste that set it apart from other sweets. The following year, in 2009, they obtained patent rights for the Tirupati Laddu under the category of food as per the GI Act of 1999. This significant legal protection ensures that no other producer can replicate or use the name “Tirupati Laddu” for their own products, thereby preserving its authenticity. In a celebration of this cherished delicacy, India Post unveiled a commemorative postal stamp in 2017 as part of their cuisine series, further honouring the legacy of the Tirupati Laddu.
The Tirupati laddu has
managed to retain its quality, flavour, and divine essence. Even after 300
years, it remains an essential part of the spiritual journey for devotees
visiting the Tirupati temple. From its humble beginnings in 1715 to its
large-scale production today, the laddu's journey reflects the timeless
devotion of the temple’s pilgrims.
Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, born on 28 July 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados, was widely considered the greatest all-rounder in cricket ...
