Today’s Motto: ‘Faith is to believe what you do not yet see’

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

On this day, 21 Mar….

1921 – Indian National Congress decided its Flag.

1957 – India’s national calender came into force. (The Indian national calendar, sometimes called the Saka Samvat, is the official civil calendar in use in India. It is used, alongside the Gregorian calendar, in news broadcasts by All India Radio and in calendars and communications issued by the Government.   Most Hindu Pandits and  rural  folks in India use  the Vikrami Samvat, linked to Samrat  Vikramaditya.                                             The Saka calendar is also used in Java and Bali among Indonesian Hindus.

1977 – Internal Emergency, promulgated on June 25, 1975, withdrawn by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

1979 – Morarji Desai, PM, inaugurated the Backward Classes Commission in New Delhi.

2013 – The European Space Agency reveals new data that indicates that the universe is 13.82 billion years old.

2014 – Russia formally annexes Crimea amid international condemnation.

Born…. 1916 – Ustad Bismilla Khan, legendary  Shehnai  (clarionett)  Master. Born in Dumraon, Bihar into a family of court musicians. He  was taught by his uncle Ali Baksh who was playing Shehnai in Hindu temple Vishwantha in Varanasi. Bismillah Khan took Shehnai vadan to a great heights and popularised it globally.  He performed  at Red Fort on August 15, 1947 when Indian tricolour was unfurled at Red Fort by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.  He also performed in nmusic festivals in Europe and America.  Bismillah Khan was awarded Bharat Ratna by  AB Vajpayee govt.   in 2001.

1978 – Rani Mukherjee, popularand versatile  Bollywood  actress, daughter of Bengal filmy family of Ram and Krishna Mukerji, she debuteds in Bengal films with Biyar Phool and Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat in 1996 and did many jubilee films like Laga Chunri Mein Daag, Saavariya, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Mardani etc. Rani was awarded Filmfare 8 times, Rajiv Gandhi award and several other accolades.

1980 – Ronaldinho. Popular Brazillian footballer. Expert right winger has played international soccer for over 5 years. Has a net worth of $90 million.

RIP:…… 1955- Walter Francis White. American Human  and Civil Rights activist and senator, Worked with President Truman during and after WW-II.

1974 – Candy Darling. Prominent transgender actress who did dseveral off-beat roles in American films like Flesh, Women in Revolt etc.

2001 – Chung Ju Yung. Prominent South Korean indusrialist, economist who founded  Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Motors  group etc. He oversaw the construction of major national   Gyeongbu Expressway.

Titbits…. 1981 – Diana Fancis Spencer/Charles wedding procession Standing room spaces along this parade route were being offered from 90 pounds (then=$200.00) each. These spaces were being sold by offices located in prime spots offering spectacular view of this day’s festivities.

2019 – Bangladeshi woman with two uteruses safely gives birth to twins 26 days after giving birth to first  child.

You may have known…. The Election Commission of India advises that no voter should have to travel more than two kilometres to the nearest polling station, and that, if necessary, a separate polling station can be set up for the inmates of a leprosy  sanatorium.    Tashigang is the highest polling station in the world  at  a height of 15,256 ft. in Lahaul-Spiti distt. of Himachal Pradesh. It has 62  voters in 2024  Lok Sabha elections.

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