Oman National Day

 WORKING MATTER

Salil Chowdhury's Birth Anniversary

Salil Chowdhury, born on 19 November 1925, was an Indian music director, songwriter, lyricist, writer and poet who predominantly composed for Bengali, Hindi and Malayalam films. He composed music for films in 13 languages. This includes over 75 Hindi films, 41 Bengali films, 27 Malayalam films, and a few Marathi, Tamil, Telegu, Kannada, Gujarati, Odia and Assamese films. His musical ability was widely recognised and acknowledged in the Indian film industry. He was an accomplished composer and arranger who was proficient in several musical instruments, including flute, the piano, and the esraj. He was also widely acclaimed and admired for his inspirational and original poetry in Bengali.

The first Bengali film for which Chowdhury composed music was Paribortan, released in 1949. Mahabharati, released in 1994, was the last of the 41 Bengali films where he rendered his music. He is affectionately called Salilda by his admirers. He mentored famous music directors like R.D. Burman and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. 

Mickey Mouse Day

From a whistling boat captain in black and white to the full colour Sorcerer’s Apprentice in Fantasia, Mickey has captivated the world with his charm and his antics. Mickey Mouse Day celebrates this classic cartoon character’s birthday.

Mickey Mouse took to the screen on November 18, 1928 with slapstick, plot twists, and a full lineup of comedy gold. Walt Disney left Universal Studios with a cartoon rabbit named Oswald, who became a mouse named Mortimer, who eventually became the Mickey we know and love.

Who could have guessed a rodent would become the most well-known character in the world? Mickey may be more globally recognizable than Santa. The first Mickey Mouse Club appeared in 1929, and now kids attend these clubs across the nation.

Mickey inhabits a world with Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, his nemesis, Pete, and many other memorable characters. It’s a world we can go back to time and time again for a good laugh.

Suez Canal officially opens in 1869

 

The Suez Canal officially opened on November 17, 1869, connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas to create a vital maritime trade route between Asia and Europe. Constructed over a 10-year period by the Suez Canal Company under French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, it significantly shortened shipping times and has become a crucial artery for global trade. 

National Press Day (India)

Every year on November 16th, National Press Day is observed in India to recognize and honour the Press Council of India (PCI). The day celebrates the existence of a free and accountable press in the nation.

History

The Press Council of India began acting as a moral watchdog on this day to make sure that the press not only upheld the high standards expected of such a potent medium but also that it was unhindered by the influence or threats of any outside forces.

On November 16, 1966, the PCI was established. Since then, November 16 has been designated as National Press Day in India to honour the council's founding.

Significance

The council is crucial to India because it was created specifically to defend the free press, which is the fourth pillar of democracy. As a result, it consistently works to ensure that journalism's credibility is protected.

It highlights the system's flaws and problems and assists the government in finding solutions, thereby enhancing the democratic system of government's core principles.

 

Birsa Munda's 150th Birth Anniversary

 

Birsa Munda, born on 15 November 1875, in Ulihatu, was an Indian tribal independence activist, and folk hero who belonged to the Munda tribe. He spearheaded a tribal religious millenarian movement that arose in the Bengal Presidency (now Jharkhand) in the late 19th century, during the British Raj, thereby making him an important figure in the history of the Indian independence movement.  The revolt mainly concentrated in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon.

Bhaktivedanta Swami's Death Anniversary

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who passed away on 14 November 1977, in Vrindavan, aged 81 years, was an Indian spiritual teacher, author, and the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), widely known as the Hare Krishna movement. 

Key Contributions and Life

• Mission: In 1965, at the age of 69 and with little money, he traveled to New York City to share the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita with the Western world, as instructed by his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.
• ISKCON: He founded ISKCON in New York City in 1966, popularizing the Hare Krishna mantra and the practice of bhakti-yoga (devotional service to Krishna).
• Author and Translator: He authored over 80 books, including English translations and commentaries on core Vedic scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and the Srimad Bhagavatam. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), which he established, is the world's largest publisher of books in the field of Indian religion and philosophy.
• Global Influence: Before his passing in Vrindavan, India, in 1977, he circled the globe numerous times, establishing over 100 temples and cultural centres and initiating thousands of disciples.
• Teachings: His teachings emphasized a simpler, more natural way of life and the attainment of true happiness through awakening one's pure love for God (Krishna consciousness).