Vasant Panchami 2026

 

In 2026, Vasant Panchami (also known as Basant Panchami or Saraswati Puja) is celebrated on Friday, January 23. This festival marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, arts, and wisdom. 

Significance and Rituals

• Goddess Saraswati Puja: Devotees worship the Goddess of learning to seek blessings for wisdom and creativity. Students often place their books and musical instruments near the idol.
• Colour Yellow: Yellow is the dominant colour of the day, symbolizing the blossoming mustard fields and the vibrancy of spring. People wear yellow attire and offer yellow flowers to the deity.
• Aksharabhyasam: This day is considered highly auspicious for initiating children into education (Vidhyarambham).
• Food: Traditional yellow-themed dishes are prepared, such as Kesar Halwa (saffron-infused semolina pudding) and yellow rice.
• Abujha Muhurat: The entire day is considered an "Abujha" (automatically auspicious) day, meaning major life events or new beginnings can be started without needing to check for specific planetary alignments. 

 

 

Akkineni Nageswara Rao's Death Anniversary

 

Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who passed away on 22 January 2014, at the age of 89, in Hyderabad, and affectionately known as ANR, was a legendary Indian actor and producer who dominated Telegu cinema for over seven decades. 

Career Highlights & Legacy

• Versatile Performer: Renowned for his range, ANR transitioned from playing female characters in theatre (due to a ban on women acting at the time) to becoming a romantic hero and a master of tragic roles, most notably in the iconic Devadasu (1953).
• Industry Pioneer: He was instrumental in shifting the Telugu film industry from Madras (now Chennai) to Hyderabad. To support this move, he founded Annapurna Studios in 1975.
• Major Awards: He received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1990), along with the Padma Vibhushan (2011) and multiple Nandi Awards.

National Hugging Day (United States)

National Hugging Day is celebrated every year on January 21. Created in 1986 by Kevin Zaborney in Clio, Michigan, the day was strategically placed between Christmas and Valentine's Day to combat the "post-holiday blues" and encourage people to show more emotion in public. 

Quick Facts & Traditions

• Founder: Rev. Kevin Zaborney, who chose the date because he felt January was a time when emotional energy often drops.
• The "Golden Rule": Always ask for consent before hugging, as not everyone is comfortable with physical touch.
• Health Benefits: Science shows that a 20-second hug releases oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone"), which can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve heart health.
• Global Reach: While it started in the U.S., it is now celebrated internationally in countries like the UK, Germany, India, and Australia.
• Most Huggable Person: Each year, the official National hugging Day website names a "Most Huggable Person."

Hindu School was founded in Kolkata, in 1817

 

On January 20, 1817, Hindu School was founded in Kolkata (then Calcutta) as part of the original Hindu College. It is celebrated as the oldest modern educational institution in Asia, established to provide a secular, Western-style education. 

Key historical details regarding its foundation include:

• Original Structure: The institution initially comprised two sections: the Pathshala (school) and the Mahapathshala (college).
• Visionary Founders: It was established through the collaborative efforts of social reformers and philanthropists, including Raja Ram Mohan Roy, David Hare, Radhakanta Deb, and Sir Edward Hyde East.
• Initial Opening: Classes began at a rented house in Garanhata (304 Chitpur Road) with an initial batch of 20 male students.
• Evolution into Presidency: In 1855, the institution was split. The "Mahapathshala" became Presidency College (now Presidency University), while the "Pathshala" became the independent Hindu School.
• Legacy: The school played a pivotal role in the Bengal Renaissance, producing notable alumni such as Satyendranath Bose and Keshab Chandra Sen. 

National Popcorn Day (United States)

 

On January 19th, National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night. 

This time-honoured snack can be sweet or savoury, caramelized, buttered or plain, molded into a candied ball, or tossed with nuts and chocolate. However, it is enjoyed, enjoy it on National Popcorn Day, January 19th.

The word "corn" in Old English meant "grain" or, more specifically, the most prominent grain grown in a region. When Native Americans introduce their most common grain, maize, to early Europeans, they aptly applied the word "corn."

As early as the 16th century, the Aztecs used popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honouring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower.

Popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s. It wasn't until Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900 he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago.

At about the same time, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn to bring Cracker Jack to the world. Then in 1908, the national anthem of baseball was born. Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote Take Me out to the Ballgame. From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack, became forever married to the game.

 

World Snow Day 2026

World Snow Day is observed on the third Sunday in January each year, and in thus in 2026 it is being celebrated on 18^th January. It was created by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The purpose behind it is to increase children’s participation in snow-related sports like skiing and snowboarding, while bringing together families for a fun-filled frolic in the snow. Countries all over the world can make use of their snowy regions to host winter sports and activities so that more people can get the chance to experience snow. Imagine one great big global snowy fiesta, celebrated around the world over the same weekend — that’s the vision with which World Snow Day was established.

International Mentoring Day

International Mentoring Day is celebrated annually on 17th January. 

The day is observed as a centerpiece of National Mentoring Month (January) to foster global understanding of the mentoring movement and recognize the role mentors play in shaping lives and careers. 

Origins and History

• Muhammad Ali’s Legacy: The date was specifically chosen to honor the birthday of boxing legend and humanitarian Muhammad Ali (born 17J anuary 1942). His life values—confidence, conviction, and respect—are foundational to the day's spirit.
• Establishment: It was first launched in 2016 through a collaboration between

MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, the Muhammad Ali Center, and other global advocacy groups. 

Key Objectives

• Global Awareness: Highlighting the impact of mentoring across borders, industries, and generations.
• Promoting Inclusion: Emphasizing how mentoring can bridge opportunity gaps and elevate underrepresented voices.
• Call to Action: Encouraging individuals to become mentors, share success stories, or donate to mentoring organizations.