Today’s Motto: ‘When everything seems to be going against you, remember that……..

This is Your Day-TODAY:  Take a Determined Step Forward and Make History! 

On this day, 24 Oct….

1579 – Jesuit father and first Englishman S. J. Thomas Stephens arrived at Goa in a Portuguese ship. He settled here and died in 1619.

1836 – The first U.S. patent for the phosphorous friction safety match is granted.

1939 – Nylon stockings went on sale in the U.S. for the first time to employees at DuPont’s Wilmington, Delaware nylon factory. The modern materials revolution began in 1938 with DuPont’s commercialisation of their nylon product, which was the first man-made fibre to be made exclusively from mineral sources.

1953 – Selection of the Dassault Ouragan fighter from France at this time reflected the Indian decision to initiate diversification of supply sources. The first four of over 100 Ouragans, or ‘Toofanis’ as they were to become known in the IAF, reached Palam Airport from France.

1975 – Bonded labour system was abolished in India by Ordinance.

1984 – First Metro Train (Underground Train) in India started between Esplanade and Bhowanipore in Calcutta city (pic credit-Getty Images).

2011 – A vaccination programme immunising over 170 million children every year has resulted in the near eradication of polio in India.

2017 – Crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman vows to return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam after announcing a $500b independent economic zone.

Born….

1914 – Lakshmi Sahgal, Indian Independence movement revolutionary and Capt. of Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauz) and faught against British alongwith  Netaji Subhas Bose. She later joined CPI (M) in 1971, also faught President on India election against APJ Abdul Kalam, who won the top position.

1915 – Jeevan, veteran Bollywood actor, a Kashmiri Pandit, whose grandfather was the Governor of Gilgit  region.  He ran away to become a film actor and played Narad Muni in about 60 films and  villain in  several other films like Jagga Daku, Teri Meri Ik Zindagi, Naya Daur, Do Phool, Kanoon, Kohenoor, Phool Aur Pather, Banarsi Babu etc. He was honored with Padam Bhushan.

1921 – Illustrator Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Iyer Laxman, better known as R. K. Laxman, the creator of the iconic ‘Common Man’. in ‘You Said It’  in TImes Of India for several decades, He was awarded Padam Vibhushan, Rayman Magasasay, CNN-IBN, Lifetime Achievement and Pune Pandit awards.

1935 – Mark Tully, former BBC Correspondent was posted in India for over 20 years, writer who settled in India (Massourie-Uttrakhand) after retirement. He has written 9 books. Also awarded  British OBE and Knighthood and Padam Shri, Padam Bhushan awards by Govt. of India in 2005 (pic credit-ShutterStock). 

1976 – Mallika Sherawat (real name Reema Lamba), Bollywood actor, a sex symbol.. Acted in Murder, Hiss, Dirty Politics, The Myth, Khwahish, Double Dhamal etc. She won Star of the Year and Best Actor awards in 2007, Screen awards for Comedy and was honored with  Citizenship by Los Angeles City Council  in  2009.

RIP….

1991 – Ismat Chugtai, famous Urdu author, social worker and campaigner for justice for women, wrote several humor and critical books. Born in Badayun and shifted to Pakistan after Partition.

2013 – Manna Dey, (real name Prabodh Kumar Dey) legendary Bengal and Bollywood singer who sang  several ghazals, Bhajans and popular film  songs. He was awarded Padam Bhushan,  several National and Filmfare  awards. He was  also honored with  Dada Saheb Phalke  award in 2009.

You ma,y have known….

Ear piercing: Some Hindus choose to have their baby’s ears pierced in a ritual called ‘Karnavedha’. Some believe that the pierced ears help ward off evil, while other believe the ear lobe is a vital acupuncture point and that piercing it may have a therapeutic value. The ceremony typically takes place within the first or third year after birth and may be donesimultaneously with the mundan, or head shaving, ritual.

                                                                                                                                       {Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R) Raj Kadyan}