Today’s Motto: ‘Conformity doesn’t get you far’

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

On this day,  Apr. 09……

Vikrami Samvat 2081 starts today. It represents begining of  Hindu calender of Vikrami Samvat, in Chaitra month  Shukal Paksha Pratipada, coinciding with first Navaratra, devoted to Devi Shailputri among Navdurga incarnations of 9 Devies according to  Hindu  Sanatan Dharam ..…the 9th Navratra is also the birthday of Bhagwan Ram and is called Ram Navami. . This is also believed to be the beginning of Brahmand (Universe) by Brahamdev !

The new Samvat is also celebrated in diffirent parts of  India in different manners and by different names depending uponlocal  history and culture.  These are Navreh (Ladakh & Jammun-Kashmir,) Baisakhi (Punjab, on April 13), Sheetal (U.P.), Pohela Boishakh (Sikkim-Bhutan), Bihu (Assam & North East), Chaitra Pratipada (Gujarat), Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), Cheti Chand (Orissa, Andhra, Sindh), Ugadi (Karnataka-Telangana),  Vishu (Kerala) and Puthandu (TN and Puducheri).

The Samvat was started to comemorate the Samrat Vikramaditya before the Christian calender (56 BC) era  came into existence and is followed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Pashtuns in most parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Far Eastern countries . The Govt. of India calender, Shaka Samvat follows a later date and was recognised  after Independence in 1947.

1667 – 1st public art exhibition was held at Palais-Royale, Paris.

1783 – Tipu Sultan drives out English from Bednore in south India.

1872 – Dried milk was patented by Samuel R. Percy, when refrigeration of milk and products was not invented and was wasted. (pic credit-Wikipedia)

1914 – 1st full colour film shown “World, Flesh and Devil” in London.

1965 – Fighting breaks out in the Rann of Kutch between Indian and Pakistani troops. Pakistan attacked Indian borders, Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet, manned by the State Armed Police Battalions. In Kutch Pakistan launched its 8th Infantry Division supported by two regiments of M47/48 Pattons. Operation ‘Desert Hawk’ was launched to draw away reserves from other vulnerable areas, and possibly to test India’s resolve. The Indian Army did not rise to the bait.

1969 – The British Concorde prototype 002 left Filton airport, Bristol, on its first flight with test pilot Brian Trubshaw at the controls. The French prototype Concorde 001 had already made its first flight the previous month, on 2 Mar 1969, from Toulouse. An even earlier first flight was made on 31 Dec 1968, by the RussianTupolev TU-144 supersonic-capable airliner (a Concorde look-alike, dubbed Concordski in the West). The first Concorde to fly at supersonic speed, over Mach 1, was prototype 001 on Oct. 01, 1969. (pic credit-SlashGear)

1974 – African American, Phil Brooks was issued a U.S. patent for a disposable syringe.

1974 – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh reach pact to exchange prisoners of 1971 war in New Delhi.

2012 – Facebook purchases Instagram, a photo sharing application, for $1 billion.

Born….

1948 – Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan, Bollywood actor turned politician. Acted in Guddi, Abhimaan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, Silsila, Sholey Mili, Zanjeer, Baawarchi, Anaamika. She is a Rajya Sabha MP from Samajwadi Party. She won 3 Filmfare and 1 National Award.  (pic credit-Pinterest) .

RIP….

2009 – Shakti Samanta, legendary Bengal and Bollywood film director, who made films Hawrah Bridge, China Town, Ananda Ashram, Aradhana, Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Amaanush, Kashmir Ki Kali Barsat ki Ek Raat, etc. He won Filmfare award 3 times and Zee Cinema Lifetime Achievement award (pic credit-Upperstall.com). 

Titbits….

1878 – 1st Lady Lucy Hayes begins egg rolling contest on White House lawn.

You may have known……
In 1961 US military accidentally dropped an atomic bomb in Carolina. Thankfully it didn’t detonate.

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