Today’s Motto: ‘You may be disappointed if you fail, but……

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

On this day, 15 Mar….
World Consumer Rights Day: A day to demand that consumer rights are respected and protected.                                    It’s also a day to protest against social injustices.

1564 – Akbar removed ‘Jeziya’ or toll-tax  charged earlier from  his non-Muslim subjects.

1892 – An escalator design was patented in the U.S. by inventor Jesse W. Reno of New York City. It had a conveyor belt that moved people up a 25 degree slope.

1907 – Finland is 1st European country to give women the right to vote (map credit-www.orangesmile.com).

1946 – British (Labour Party) Prime Minister Clement Attlee agrees with India’s Right to Independence. He remained PM from 1945 to 1951.

1950 – Planning Commission Day.

1969 – Indian Navy’s first Helicopter Squadron was commissioned in Goa.

1998 – Mr. Vajpayee is appointed Prime Minister. The number of MPs supporting the formation of a government by the BJP stands at 264 in a house of 539, just short of the working majority of 270. However, the President sees the figure as crossing the half-way mark as the Telugu Desam decides to remain neutral. Earlier, the Congress(I) conveys to the President its decision not to stake claim to form a government.

2019 – Climate change strikes held by school children take place around the world inspired by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg.

2021 – Vatican issues judgement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions, that God “does not and cannot bless sin”.

Born….

1901 – Guru Hanuman, (Vijay Pal Yadav), the pioneer and contributor of wrestling in India. He was bestowed with the Padamshri in 1983 and Dronacharya Award. He established an Akhara in Shakti Nagar, Delhi in 1925. His pupil Satpal and Kartar Singh won Gold Medals in Asian Games (pic credit-alchetron.com).

1934 – Kanshi Ram, Indian stalwart dalit leader  after BR Amedkar, Babu  Jagjivan Ram and others. Born in Ramdasia Sikh family, he worked for the upliftment of lower castes and weaker sections of Indian Society. He founded Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984 and helped form a State Govt. in  Uttar Pradesh  under his  deputy Mayawati  in 1995  with  support from BJP. Also called Manhyawar, Kanshiram was honored with Bharat Ratna  in 2024 by  NDA Govt.

1954 – Ila Arun, actress, TV personality and Rajasthani folk-pop singer. She  sang songs for films  Jodha Akbar, Well Done Abba, Karan Arjun, Slumdog Millionaire, Khal Nayak and Raat Akeli Hai etc. She won a Filmfare, an IIFA, Apsara Film Producers Guild,  Screen Award and IMM Digital  award etc. (pic credit-Starsunfulded.com)

1960 – Waldemar Mordecai Wolfe Haffkine was a Russian-British bacteriologist who worked to reduce deaths by cholera.

1993 – Alia Bhatt, daughter of vetertan  film director, producer  Mahesh Bhatt and  popular actor Soni Razdan. A British passport holder, Alia is known for portrayal of women in challenging  roles in  films. She acted in Udta Punjab, 2 States, Gully Boy, Highway, Raazi, Dear Zindagi and Gangubai Kathiawadi  etc. She has won a National award, 6 Filmfare and several other awards. She  married   Ranbir Kapoor, scion of  legendary filmy family of Raaj Kapoor, in  April 2022 and has a daughter.

RIP…. 1992 – Dr. Rahi Masum Raza, film screenplay, story, dialogue writer and  Urdu/Hindi  lyricist. He wrote for films Twaif, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, Prem Kahani,. Lamhe etc. and  legendary  film  producer/director BR Chopra’s epic serial Mahabharat.  Raza was awarded Filmfare thrice and several other awards.

You may have known….

Rabindranath Tagore is credited not only for writing the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, but the Bangladeshi national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla, as well. He was also offered knighthood by the British but refused the honour after the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.

                                                                                                   {Compile4d by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}