Today’s Motto: ‘When you truly believe in what you are doing, it shows’

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

On this day, 25 Feb….

1836 – Samuel Colt patents 1st revolving barrel multishot firearm(pic credit-Wikipedia)

1837 – Thomas Davenport patented the first practical electrical motor as “an application of magnetism and electro-magnetism to propelling machinery.”

1862 – Paper currency (greenbacks) introduced in US by President Abraham Lincoln.

1899 – The first petrol-fuelled car crash occurred at Grove Hill Harrow, England.

1908 – 1st tunnel under Hudson River in America (railway tunnel) opens.

1910 – Dalai Lama flees Tibet from Chinese troops to British India. (The Chinese Guangxu Emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi tried to stress Tibet’s subservient role, but the Dalai Lama refused to kowtow to him).

1963 – Indian PM  Nehru refuses to recognize China-Pakistan border pact in New Delhi.  The Sino-Pakistan Agreement is a document between the governments of Pakistan and China establishing the border between those countries. It resulted in China ceding over 1,942 square kilometres (750 sq mi)  of  (allegedly China  occupied area during 1962 War)  to Pakistan and Pakistan recognizing Chinese sovereignty over 38,000 sq. km. of  Indian territory,  Aksai Chin  (part of Ladakh shown in maps thru’ Johnson Line, since 1842-1865)  in   Northern Kashmir,  along  the  borders  Xin Ziang province of China . It was  won by Gen. Zorawar Singh of  Ranja Ghulab Singh of Kashmir (and later  Raja Ranjit Singh’s army) during 1830-41).

1976 – India announces plan to penalise parents who have more than two children.

2012 – World Health Organization removes India from the list of polio endemic countries.

2021 – Chinese President Xi Jinping claims the country has eradicated extreme poverty (earning less than US$ 620 a year), though many observers remain skeptical about the accuracy of Chinese data due to widespread corruption and lack of transparency.

Born….  1885 – Princess Alice of Battenberg was the mother of Price Philip and mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth. A chain smoker by  habit, she had a disturbed life  and became  a nun  in later life (pic credit-Wikipedia).

1894 – Meher Baba of Poona, Indian saint of Persian origin and gifted with psychic powers of prediction. The mystical teachings of this silent sage stressed love, self-inquiry and God consciousness.

1948 – Danny Denzongpa, Nepali origin Indian actor who has acted mostly in villain or horror  roles in Hindi, Bengali, Nepali and Tamil films. Has done about 190 films over 50 years viz., Zaroorat, Dhund, Mere Apne, 36 Ghante, Baby, Khuda Gawah, Hum, Bandish, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Agnipath, Krantiveer, Chor Machaye Shor, Fakira, Kalicharan, Devata, Adhikar, Bulandi, Asoka, Seven  Years in Tibet  (with Brad Pitt) and Manikarnika. He has won 2 Filmfare awards and Padma Shri in 2003.

1976-Rashida Jones. Amercian  actor,  daughter of media moghuls  Quincy Jones and  Peggy Lipton. She is known for roles  like Louisa Finn in Fox  Channel’s  drama series and more . She won a  Grammy  and many  other  awards.

1981 – Shahid Kapoor,  is the son of  popular, versatile,  comedian,  TV  satire expert  Pankaj Kapoor. Shahid  is nicknamed Sasha, and  is  caaled the  chocolate boy of Bollywood.  He has acted in  films including Dil To Pagal Hai, Taal, Ishq Wishk, Fida, Shikhar, Jab We Met,  Vivash, Kaminey, Hyder, Udta  Punjab etc. He has won a Filmfare award on debut  and several oither accolades.

1983 – Dhanush (Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja) is a popular  Tamil actor, writer, lyricist, singer and producer. Son of a director Kasthuri Raja, he married  legendary South India hero Rajnikath’s daughter Aishwarya. His famous movies are Asuram, Pudhu Petai, Veda Chennai, etc. He has won 14 SIIMA, nine Vijay Awards, eight Filmfare  South awards, five Vikatan, five Edison, four National Film awards.

RIP…. 1586 – Birbal, renowned wit and one amongst the ‘Navratna’ of Emperor Akbar’s Court; died in a war with Usuf Jard Kabile.

You may have known….

Immediately after independence, it was realised that industrialisation was the only vehicle which could lead the shattered economy of the country on the path of progress and prosperity. Consequently, industry attracted special attention of plans and planners.

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