Today’s Motto: ‘A good leader leaves an organisation better than he found’

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

On this day, 17 Oct….

Maharishi Balmiki- The Adi Kavi, believed to be born today on Ashwin Poornima.. Was earlier a fierce highway Decoit Ratnakar, but turned into hermit by a Divine blessings,  believed to be by Ganesha. He wrote epic Ramayana (24,000 shlokas in 7 chapters).  Also taught Lav and Kush, the twin sons of Lord Ram.

1814 – At night, a deadly flood of beer was caused from the Horseshoe brewery, London. The metal bands of an immense beer brewing vat snapped releasing a tidal wave of 3,555 barrel of Porter beer, which swept away the brewery walls, flooded nearby basements, collapsed several tenements and resulted in eight deaths.

1855 – A steel-making process was patented. This was for a method of making steel by blasting compressed air through molten iron to remove impurities and excess carbon.

1919 – The Khilafat Movement was launched under the leadership of Maulana Jauhar Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Abdul Kalam Azad. The movement became the reason for separation from mainland India to an Islamic Pakistan.

1949 – The Constituent Assembly of India adopted Article 370 of the Constitution making special provisions for J&K.

1956 – The Queen opened Calder Hall, the first gas-cooled and Britain’s first nuclear power station in the shadow of the massive chimneys around.

1979 – Mother Teresa awarded Nobel Peace Prize.

1994 – Kapil Dev’s final one-day international (v West Indies).

2003 – Eunuchs in the state of Madhya Pradesh float the political party Jiti Jitayi Politics.

2019 – US adults identifying as Christian falls 12% in a decade to 2/3 according to the Pew Research Centre.

2023 – Supreme Court of India rules against legalising same-sex marriage and adoption for queer couples.

Born….

1947 – Simi Garewal, film actor and TV host. She acted in films like Aranyer Di Ratri (a film directed by Satyaji Ray), Do Badan, Saathi, Mera Naam Joker, Kabhie Kabhi,  Namak Haram, Karz  etc. She’s believed to have been a fiance of RatanTata, who died last  week. 

She has won 3 Filmfare awards, 3 nominations and several global honors. She’s a Jury Member in Melbourne Film Festival. She also runs a show called Rendezvous With Simi. (pics credit-IMDb)

1947 – Brinda Karat, politician wife of CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat. Was elected to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in 2005.

1955 – Smita Patil, popular romantic Marathi and Bollywood actor. Acted in Charan Das Chor, Umbertha, Arth, Bhoomika, Aakrosh, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai, Qayamat etc. She won 2 Filmfare and 2 niminations and Padam Shri award.

1970 – Anil Radhakrishna Kumble, very efficient Indian spin bowler and commentator. Has taken 10 wickets in a match 8 times (twice in Tests). Has a record of 619 Test wickets from 132 matches.

RIP….

1981 – Kannadasan, a great Tamil poet, writer and lyricist. Also wrote with pseudonym ‘Kavi Arasu’. Was awarded Sahitya Akademi prize in 1980.

You may have known….

Some hold ‘Blessing Way’ ceremonies on the last full moon before a woman’s due date. During the ritual friends gather, brush the woman’s hair and wash her feet with herbs. Each woman in the circle presents the mother with a prayer or spiritual gift, before concluding with a ritual feast.

 

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