Today’s Motto: ‘Guilt is like a Stray Cat, it keeps Coming Back’

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

On this day, 11 Apr….
1751 – Ebenezer Kinnersley advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette that he was to give a lecture on “The Newly Discovered Electrical Fire.” Thus, Kinnersley is considered as among  the earliest popularizers of science.

1814 – Napoleon abdicates unconditionally; he is exiled to Italian islands, Elba. But he gathered support and returned to the mainland after 10 months for a short rule again for 100 days before the English  dethroned him.

1876 – The stenotype was patented by John C. Zachos of New York City.

1942 – All-India Congress party rejects British offer of dominion status at New Delhi.

1951 – US President Harry Truman fires Gen Douglas McArthurafter, after  the latter made public statements which contradicted the administration’s policies. MacArthur was a popular hero of World War II who was then the commander of United Nations forces fighting in the Korean War, and his relief remains a controversial topic in the field of civil-military relations (pic credit thefamouspeople.com).

1952 – Parkinson’s disease was successfully treated with surgery for the first time, by Dr Irving Cooper.
1952 – Treaty between France and India, transferring the former French settlement of Chandranagar to India, is ratified by the National Assembly, Paris. It was the last formal step in completing the process of sovereignty.

1964 – Communist Party of India was divided in two parts. Firstly known as Communist Party of India [CPI], its second fragmentation was named as Communist Party of India (Marxist),  [CPI(M)]. This division was on ideological differences at the international level, (between Russia and China). CPI (M) in India was led by EMS Namboodripad becoming the Kerala Chief Minister. West Bengal and Tripura also had CPI(M) governments for many years.

1972 – A smoking deterrent – a pseudo-cigarette package that produces simulated coughing sounds when the package is picked up – was issued a patent. The invention was also suggested for use as an advertising novelty.

1984 – Chinese troops invade Vietnam. Also called the Battle of Laoshan, it started 5 years after Russia had supported  Vietnam and  brokered  a peace in  1979. (China (under Deng  Xiaoping) supported the rebel Khmer Rouge in  Kampuchea near  Laoshan  hills. Peace returned to the area  in 1991,  after China retreated to its territory and Vietnam  promised  no interference  in Cambodia and  Thailand regions..

1993 – Tamil Nadu and Karnataka decide to form a joint task force to nab Veerappan and announces a reward of Rs. 40 lakh for his capture.

2011 – In France, a law banning wearing of burqa and jijab goes into effect.

2019 – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in London by police and arrested on failure to appear in court on US extradition charges.

Born…. 1755 – James Parkinson, English physician, who was the first to describe the neuromuscular disease which is now known by his name as Parkinson’s disease.

1827 – Jyotirao Govindrao Phule alias Jyotiba Phule. Indian social activist, anti-caste reformer and writer.  He led social reforms against caste system.  fighting for entry of lowerr caste citizens to enter temples without any disdain,  women’s empowerment etc.

1869 – Kasturba Gandhi. Wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (called Mahatma Gandhi) She actively  supported Gandhiji’s movements for dis-obedience against the British in South Africa and India.

1887 – Jamini Roy. Famous Indian painter. Known for his absrtact style, rural-folk  paintings,  wall painitngs etc. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1954.

1937 – Ramnath Krishnan, top Indian Tennis  player, of 1950s-70s,  who  reached  Wimbledon  semi-finals  twice. He was ranked No. 3 in Potter’s rankings, as no  offical  professional rakings had  started in those  days. His  son  Ramesh  Krishnanan  won the  Wimbledon Singles  and  Paris  Jouniors  in 1979.

1951 – Rohini Hattangadi.  Veteran Bollywood actress known for playing  Kasturba Gandhi’s role in  the Richard Attenbrough’s film Gandhi. She also very  emotional and popular roles in Saransh, Agneepath,  Arth etc. She won 2 Filmfare awardfs for Supporting roles.
You may have known….
India’s LIFELINE EXPRESS, or  Jeevan Rekha Express, is the   World’s first Hospital Train !  (Established in 1991,  started by then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu,  the train has travelled the length and breadth of the country, bringing medical aid and relief to the most far-flung and inaccessible areas).

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