Writer of the day -Tribute to the writer Mahasweta Devi

Mahasweta Devi was an Indian social activist and writer.

Born: January 14, 1926, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Died: July 28, 2016

Achievements - Mahasweta Devi is an eminent Indian Bengali writer, who has been studying and writing incessantly about the life and struggles faced by the tribal communities in the states like Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Mahasweta Devi is a reputed Indian writer who was born in the year 1926 into a middle class Bengali family at Dacca, which is located in present day Bangladesh. She received her education from the prestigious Shantiniketan set up by great Indian philosopher and thinker, Rabindranath Tagore that went on to become a part of the Visva Bharti University later on. Mahasweta Devi graduated from the University of Calcutta and this was followed by an MA degree in English from the Visva Bharti University.

Read on to know more about the biography of Mahasweta Devi. Since her entire family had shifted to India by now, Devi began teaching at the Bijoygarh College in 1964. In those times, this particular college was a forum operating for elite female students. This phase was also utilized by Mahasweta Devi to work as a journalist and a creative writer. Of late, Mahasweta Devi is known to have been studying the life history of rural tribal communities in the Indian state of West Bengal and also women and dalits.

Mahasweta Devi is a social activist who has wholly involved herself to work for the struggles of the tribal people in states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In the fiction themed on Bengal which Devi writes, she often narrates the brutal oppression faced by the tribal people at the hands of the powerful upper caste persons comprising landlords, money lenders and government officials in this belt.

During the 2006 Frankfurt Book Fair when India happened to be the first country to have been invited to this fair for a second time, Mahasweta Devi made a very touching inaugural speech which moved many among the listeners to tears. Inspired by the famous Raj Kapoor song, she said: "This is truly the age where the Joota (shoe) is Japani (Japanese), Patloon (pants) is Englistani (British), the Topi (hat) is Roosi (Russian), But the Dil (heart) is always Hindustani (Indian)"

International Tiger Day 2016

What is International Tiger Day?

International Tiger Day is held annualy on July 29 to give worldwide attention to the reservation of tigers. It is both an awareness day as a celebration. It was founded at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010. This was done because at that moment wild tigers were too close to extinction. Many animal welfare organisations pledged to help these wonderful creatures and are still helping to raise funds to reach this goal. The goal of Tiger Day is to promote the protection and expansion of the wilde tigers habitats and to gain support through awareness for tiger conservation.

World Nature Conservation Day 2016 & World Hepatitis Day 2016

 

World Nature Conservation Day

Celebrated on July 28 each year, World Nature Conservation Day recognizes that a healthy environment is the foundation for a stable and productive society and to ensure the well-being of present and future generations, we all must participate to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage our natural resources.

We all depend on natural resources like water, air, soil, minerals, trees, animals, food, and gas to live our daily lives.
To keep the balance in the natural world, we must also help various species to continue to exist. A report from the global conservation organization World Wildlife Foundation suggests that since 1970, the pressure that we exert on the planet has doubled and the resources upon which we depend have declined by 33 percent. Despite the efforts put into conservation by organizations and conservation activists, their work has been undermined by those who have interests.

Conservation of nature is very important, with scientists warning of mass extinctions in the near future. Many nature documentaries show resources that are being wasted. We have made this planet a world of steel and concrete to sustain humanity but at the cost of other species, and it has become more imperative upon us to conserve these resources that are vital to human survival.
Trees and plants consume carbon which has increased the planet's temperature, increased storms and sea level rises and freshwater glacier melting that threatens lives. Glaciers are connected to rivers and lakes which we depend on for drinking water through city/town/community services (where did you think your water came from?). Birds, bees and other insects pollinate the plants we need to eat to stay healthy nutritionally. Factory foods provide reduced quality in favor of the financial incentive. Children who spend time exercising their senses in nature have been shown to increase their skills at a faster rate than those who don't. Our planet provides us with all of the resources that modern exploitation have given us, through wood, medecin, water, plants and animals to eat, metals, vitamins, minerals - yet it's exploited for money with systems of varied complexity. Nature has given us SO much. If we don't conserve, we lose these precious privileges to exploitation and abuse of resources.

The natural world is facing an increasing threat from unsustainable practices and the challenge is how to preserve and conserve nature in the process of achieving sustainable development.
The state of nature has an impact on human survival, local and global economics, community life, human health and wellbeing.

On this day, let us make a conscious effort to contribute to the local, national, and global efforts in conserving nature and the benefits they provide for the present and future generations. 

 

 World Hepatitis Day 2016

The theme for this year’s global campaign is ELIMINATION.

2016 is a pivotal year for viral hepatitis. At the World Health Assembly in May, WHO Member States are set to adopt the first ever Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis, with ambitious targets and a goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This will be the first time national governments sign up and commit to the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis.

To mark this historic moment and to leverage this political commitment, we are using the theme of elimination for WHD 2016, which can be easily adapted for local use; to achieve elimination, greater awareness, increased diagnosis and key interventions including universal vaccination, blood and injection safety, harm reduction and treatment are all needed. This means every activity that addresses viral hepatitis is a step towards elimination. In other words, no matter what your plans are to mark WHD, be it a rally or press briefing or screening events, they can all come under the theme of elimination.

To elevate the theme of elimination NOhep, a global elimination movement, will be launched to bring people together and provide a platform for people to speak out, be engaged and take action to ensure global commitments are met and viral hepatitis is eliminated by 2030.

In order to achieve the NOhep objective of reaching 300 million by 2030, we need your help. Whether you do something as large as launching NOhep on WHD in your country or as simple as signing up to the movement, every action has an impact. Join us and be part of making the elimination of viral hepatitis our next greatest achievement.

APJ Abdul Kalam 1st death anniversary

Born On - 15 October 1931  
Born In - Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India  
Died On - 27 July 2015 

Career - Scientist

 Nationality - Indian

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was a scientist and engineer, who served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007. Already a highly accomplished and much respected individual when elected to be the president, Kalam had spent four decades as a scientist and science administrator at several prestigious organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Born into a family of humble means in Tamil Nadu, Kalam went on to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology. His initial dream was to become a fighter pilot but he failed to qualify for the Indian Air Force. He then started working at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist and was later transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Eventually he was appointed as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and in this position he played a key role in the Pokharan II nuclear tests. He became the President of India in 2002 and was known as the People's President. He left the office after serving one term and became professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University and a visiting professor at several other institutions

Childhood & Early Life
Abdul Kalam was born as the youngest of five children of a Muslim boat owner named Jainulabudeen and his wife Ashiamma, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His ancestors had once been wealthy traders though his family lost much of its fortunes by the early 20th century. Kalam grew up in humble surroundings and had to take up a job while he was still in school in order to augment his familys meager income he distributed newspapers to help his father in providing for the family. He was a bright young boy, blessed with a thirst for knowledge and was always eager to learn new things. He completed his schooling from Ramanathapuram Schwartz Matriculation School and proceeded to study physics at the Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, from where he graduated in 1954. Then he studied aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, graduating in 1960. His childhood ambition was to become a fighter pilot but he narrowly missed achieving his dream.
  Career at DRDO
After completing his studies he joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. One of the first projects he worked on was to design a small helicopter for the Indian Army. He also got the opportunity to work with the renowned space scientist, Vikram Sarabhai as a part of the INCOSPAR committee. However, Kalam was not much satisfied with his career at the DRDO.
  Career at ISRO
Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969 as the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). An expandable rocket project on which he had started working independently in 1965 got the governments approval for expansion in 1969. Over the next several years he developed the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects, both of which proved to be successful. In the 1970s he also worked on the development of ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV program and directed the projects Project Devil and Project Valiant which were aimed at producing a short-range surface-to-air missile. Even though the projects were discontinued in 1980 without achieving full success, they earned Kalam great respect and admiration from the scientific fraternity. 
  Return to DRDO
In 1980s, the government decided to initiate an advanced missile program under his directorship and thus the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was launched with Kalam as the chief executive. The program which aimed at the research and development of a comprehensive range of missiles started in 1982-83. Under the able guidance of Kalam, several missiles including Agni, an intermediate range ballistic missile and Prithvi, the tactical surface-to-surface missile, were developed.
  Presidency
Kalam stood for presidency in 2002 and easily won the 2002 presidential election. He had the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress and was sworn in as the 11th president of the Republic of India on 25 July 2002. He was the first scientist to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan. He was a popular president who was much respected by the citizens of the country. However, he was also criticized for his inaction in deciding the fate of the majority of the mercy petitions submitted to him during his tenure. He also kindled controversy with his decision to impose President's Rule in Bihar in 2005. At the end of his term he decided not to contest the Presidential election again and stepped down on 25 July 2007. 
 Post-Presidency
After leaving the president's office he became the chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram and professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University. He also became a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Management Indore, and taught information technology at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. 
 As an Author
Abdul Kalam was also a noted author who had penned books like  India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998),  Wings of Fire: An Autobiography  (1999),  Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (2002), and  A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020  (2014). 
 Awards and Honors
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has been honored with several prestigious awards from the Government of India including the Padma Bhushan in 1981, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the Bharat Ratna in 1997. He was also the recipient of the Von Braun Award (2013) from the National Space Society "to recognize excellence in the management and leadership of a space-related project". Following his death, the Tamil Nadu state government announced that his birthday, 15 October, would be observed across the state as "Youth Renaissance Day".  
Personal Life
Kalam was a life-long bachelor. He had four elder siblings one sister and three brothers with whom he had close relations. He was a very simple person with just a few personal possessions.
  Death
He remained active until the last day of his life. He was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong on 27 July 2015. Only five minutes into his lecture, he collapsed and was rushed to the Bethany Hospital where he was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest. His last rites were performed in his hometown, Rameswaram.  
Timeline

1931: Born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India

1954: Graduated from the Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli

1960: Joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

1969: Transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

1970s: Directed Project Devil and Project Valiant

1982-1983: Became the chief executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

1990: Awarded the Padma Vibhushan

1992: Appointed the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation

1997: Awarded the Bharat Ratna

2002: Became the 11th President of India

2007: Stepped down from the presidency of India

2012: Launched a programme for the youth of India called the What Can I Give Movement

2015: Died of a cardiac arrest on 27 July.

Kargil Victory Day (Vijay Diwas)

 Kargil Victory Day is a memorial day in India that commemorates the end of the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan. Although the conflict resulted in return to status quo ante bellum, India sees this as a victory.

The Kargil conflict took place in the Kargil district of Kashmir, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Kargil is situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, it lies near the Line of Control between the Pakistani- and Indian-controlled parts of Kashmir. In 1999, Pakistan tried to recapture the Kargil sector.

The conflict lasted from May to July 1999. Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri insurgents infiltrated the positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control, but Indian Armed Forces recaptured them. With international diplomatic opposition, Pakistan eventually was forced to withdraw its forces from the remaining Indian positions.

The fighting ceased on July 26, 1999. This day is marked in India as Kargil Victory Day (Kargil Vijay Diwas) in honor of the war heroes. Remembrance ceremonies in honor of 527 Indian soldiers who died in duty are held throughout the country. Prime Minister pays homage to the deceased soldiers at the India Gate in New Delhi.

Scientist of the day - Rosalind Franklin

Rosalind Franklin was a renowned chemist from England who did pioneering work in the field of X-ray crystallography. Born to rich family, she pursued her education from premier institutions and was a bright student. Achieving stellar grades in the matriculation examination she received a scholarship but her father asked her to give the scholarship to deserving refugee student. It was when she enrolled at Cambridge that her scientific career truly began. She did an extensive study on coals and classified them into different category on the basis of their efficiency as a fuel. During one such study she was introduced to the technique of x-ray crystallography and Rosalind was intrigued by its scope thus deciding on pursuing a career in this field. She used x-ray imagery of coal to understand the changes occurring at molecular level in carbon when amorphous coal changes to solid graphite. Next she embarked on her most important discovery, the structure of DNA molecule. Working with Maurice Wilkins and a doctorate student Raymond Gosling, she was able to correctly assess the structure of DNA. Her theory that DNA consists of two helical structures was later confirmed by scientists James Watson and Francis Crick. She also played an important role in deciphering the RNA structure. Read on to know more about her life and works.

Childhood & Early Life

Born to British Jews, Ellis Arthur Franklin and Muriel Frances Waley on July 25, 1920, Rosalind Franklin was their second child. Arthur was a teacher of physics, specializing in electro-magnetism, at an adult education institute.

Major Works

Rosalind’s contribution in the field of x-ray crystallography is unparalleled; her studies on different forms of carbon and optimisation of coal were crucial in the manufacture of wartime devices like gas masks. She also made significant contribution in explaining the true structure of DNA and RNA.

Trivia

This famous scientist was fond of outdoor activities like trekking and travelling places.

HAPPY PARENTS DAY

 

Parents Day - Parents’ Day gained official recognition in 1994 by an act of law during the tenure of President Bill Clinton. The fourth Sunday of every July is celebrated as Parents' Day in the U.S. and most countries. The Resolution aims to establish the imperative role of parents in bringing up children. Korea celebrates Parents’ Day on May 8 and Vietnam celebrates it on July 7 every year.

Parent's Day 2016 Date

When: July 24 (Sunday), 2016

At every level of state functioning, state as well as local government entities are entrusted with the responsibility to promote the day with targeted initiatives and programs that support the nurturing role of parents in bringing up their children.

Parents’ Day Message
Family is the microcosmic rudimentary element that makes up the society structure. For this structure to remain firm, the family unit needs to create a strong foundation. This role is shouldered by responsible parents who do understand their imperative role in shaping their child's life to grow up into a responsible citizen. At the same time, this day impresses upon the younger generation that one day, they must also take on the serious responsibility of looking after the needs of parents and older family members. Besides, Parents' Day is also a good occasion to make up for lost time, iron out issues and to wipe out any bitterness from this enduring relationship.

Importance of Parents’ Day Festival
Parent’s Day is dedicated to parents all over the world, and is an occasion to show appreciation for their commitment to strengthen the family bond and to create an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. It is parents who mould their personality according to their inherent strengths and talents and bequeath to them moral values and the spirit of living life wholly.

Parent’s Day acknowledges the overpowering presence of parents in children's life. It is a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices, nurturing and care, emotional strength of parents as they see their children through series of phases while growing up and beyond. Not just a provider of material needs, parents also take on more important roles of a guide and mentor which has a salutary effect on their child’s/children’s attitude and behaviour. In fact, no relationship comes a close second to the parent-child relationship for these reasons. This constant flow of positive energy from the parent to the child nourishes and strengthens the familial bond and sustains for a lifetime.

Parents’ Day Celebrations
Parents’ Day is the most apt time for sending cards and gifts to acknowledge the parental figure for their positive and tempering effect on children’s lives. To make this day memorable, children often make personalized gifts such as family photos, collages, stickers and sketches and even handmade scarves, boxes, pots and whatever affectionate ways of saying ‘thank you’ that they can conceive of. To show how much they appreciate the love parents have showered on them, some very indulgent ways of celebrating Parents Day can be:

• Participating in adventure sports
• Organizing a family picnic
• Making dinner or eating out
• Going for a movie
• Gifting a redeemable gift voucher
• Cleaning a room or doing a chore

It is an ecstatic moment for parents or a parental figure when they see their children express heartfelt wishes with an affectionate gesture. While the excitement level of a child knows no bounds, their imagination takes a bigger leap to come up with ingenuous ideas to honour their parents on Parent’s Day Festival. At times, doing a small household chore can bring an unsurpassable wave of joy to the parents. Families enjoying lunches or dinner are a common sight on this day.
This day also sees formal activities like speeches organized by foundations and societies, special tributes, church services, or local community events that aim at fun activities that strengthen family bonding. Parent’s Day Celebrations are especially marked by fun-filled activities and initiatives.
In the U.S., each state nominates a parent’s who exemplify good parenthood contend for National Parents of the Year Award.

Parent's Day in Upcoming Years

Every year, 4th Sunday of the Month July is celebrated as Parent's Day. Below we are showing dates of upcoming Parent's day..

Parent's Day 2017 - July 23, 2017

Parent's Day 2018 - July 22, 2018

Parent's Day 2019 - July 28, 2019

Parent's Day 2020 - July 26, 2020

Parent's Day 2021 - July 25, 2021

Scientist of the day - Alan Turing

Computers would probably have been non-existent if it wasn't for famous British mathematician, Alan Turing. Having been a child prodigy, he went on to pursue his PhD from the 'Princeton University'. Soon, he became an important member of a group of code-breakers in the 'Government Code and Cypher School' ('GC&CS') in Bletchley Park. He was given the daunting task of deciphering the ever-changing German codes sent through the ingenious machine, 'Enigma'. Alan proved the almost impossible task, possible with his 'bombe' device, which used a technique called 'Banburismus'. Eventually this mathematician and his team of code-breakers were successful in defeating the 'Enigma'. However, two code-breakers from his team were found out to be Soviet spies, and thus the work was declared highly confidential. For a long time, no records of Turing's work were available, and the 'Official Secrets Act' prohibited him from talking about his work to anyone. His homosexuality caused him to be convicted, though the British government has apologized posthumously in recent times. His works and life has recently been popularized by the ‘Academy Award’ winning movie, ‘The Imitation Game’, released in 2014. Read on and explore the life and works of this brilliant mathematician and code-breaker. 

Childhood & Early Life

Alan Mathison Turing was born to Julius Mathison and Ethel Sara on June 23, 1912, in Paddington, London. Julius was employed with the 'Indian Civil Service', and with his wife, he had another son, John.

Major Works

This scientist is known for having pioneered the concept of modern-day computers, by introducing the idea of a ‘Turing Machine’, which is simple, and yet capable of solving any form of algorithms that can be measured and quantified.

Awards & Achievements

• Alan was awarded the 'Smith's Prize' in 1939, by the 'University of Cambridge', for his exceptional contribution in the field of applied mathematics.
• In 1945, this great mathematician was honoured by King George VI, with the 'Most Excellent Order of the British Empire', for his services during the World War II.

   

  Trivia

  This famous British mathematician was also a fast long-distance runner, who appeared for the 'British Olympic' try-outs in 1948. He lost out to famous runner Thomas Richards, falling short by a meagre 11 minutes.

Scientist of the day - Hermann Minkowski

Hermann Minkowski was a renowned German mathematician. His contribution to the development of modern mathematics is immense. The development of the theory on the geometry of numbers is his well known work. He utilized this theory very skilfully in solving problems of number theory, mathematical physics and the theory of relativity. This geometric method helped him to understand the theory of continued fractions and to generalize it into an algorithm. Personalities like Albert Einstein were his student. Minkowski’s theory of four-dimensional space-time which is better known as “Minkowski space”, aims to prove that the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein presented algebraically, can be understood geometrically also. He discussed about this theory through his book “Space and Time”. The works of Einstein and Minkowski establish the fact that space and time are closely interlinked. This theory of four-dimensional space-time later provided an inspiration for Einstein’s work on general relativity. In this context, it will not be out of place to mention that Hendrik Lorentz’s analysis of transformations of space and time was the inspiration of his idea of the unity of space and time. Besides pursuing his mathematical research, he taught mathematics at several prestigious universities such as University of Bonn, Konigsberg University and the University of Gottingen. 

Childhood & Early Life

Hermann Minkowski was born in Aleksotas, Kingdom of Poland on 22 June 1864 AD , as the son of Polish Jews parents Rachel and Lewin Minkowski. His father was a businessman.

Major Works

In 1896, he propounded his theory on geometry of numbers. This theory is applicable in functional analysis and Diophantine approximation. Through geometrical theory, he solved problems in number theory.

Awards & Achievements

In 1883, the French Academy of Sciences conferred him the Mathematics Prize for his manuscript on the theory of quadratic forms. Quadratic forms have wide usage in different branches of mathematics like linear algebra and number theories.

Personal Life & Legacy

• He got married to Auguste Adler in 1897. They had two daughters namely Lily and Ruth.
• He died unexpectedly of appendicitis at the age of 44 in Gottingen. To honour his contribution, the asteroid ‘12493 Minkowski’ and ‘M-matrices’ are named after him.
• After his death, renowned physicists like Max von Laue and Arnold Sommerfeld extended his idea of space and time. In 1911, Lau published a textbook on the special theory of relativity and it was the first textbook that used the formulation of Minowski.

Writer of the day - Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was a Nobel Prize-winning American writer who touched the pinnacles of fame with his novel ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ which catapulted him to international glory. Over the course of his writing career, he published seven novels, six short story collections, and two non-fiction works which greatly influenced later generations of writers. A highly acclaimed writer, most of his works are considered classics of American literature. Born as the first son to well-educated and well-respected parents in Illinois, he had a comfortable childhood during which he developed a keen interest in reading and writing. As a school student he excelled in English and was a regular contributor to his school newspaper, ‘Trapeze and Tabula’. An athletic boy, he also took part in boxing, track and field, water polo, and football. He decided early on that he wanted a career in writing and started off as a journalist before becoming a writer of short-stories and novels. He went on to serve in World War I as an ambulance driver in the Italian Army before returning to America and establishing himself as a distinguished fiction writer. In spite of all his professional successes as a writer, Hemingway’s personal life was a constant struggle with numerous broken marriages and bouts of depression. Deeply troubled by his personal sufferings, he committed suicide in 1961. 

Childhood & Early Life

Ernest Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. His father, Clarence Edmonds Hemingway, was a physician, and his mother, Grace Hall-Hemingway, was a musician. Both his parents were greatly respected in their conservative community.

Awards & Achievements

• Ernest Hemingway was awarded a Bronze Star for his bravery during World War II in 1947.
• He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 for the novel ‘The Old Man and the Sea’.
• In 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for "his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary style”.

   

  Personal Life & Legacy
• Ernest Hemingway’s final years were marked by ill health and depression. He was treated for numerous conditions such as high blood pressure and liver disease, and also struggled with deteriorating mental health. He became increasingly suicidal in 1961 and shot himself to death on the morning of July 2, 1961.

HAPPY GURU PURNIMA

 

History of Guru Purnima

It is said that, the Guru Vyasa wrote all the 4 Vedas that were recited by the Lord Brahma and every person in this world is in debt for the work, that saint Vyasa did. He also wrote several Purans. And from those times, a day was dedicated towards the Gurus and this day is called as ‘Guru Purnima’. Purnima word is used because on this day, there is a full moon.

It has a deep significance in the past and in today’s world also. As this day is dedicated towards the Gurus, people irrespective of caste etc offer their prayers to their gurus thanking them for the knowledge they have provided to the learner.

In year 2016 Guru Prunima will be celebrated on 19th July

How People Celebrate Guru Purnima?

Over the years, the way Guru Purnima is celebrated has changed a lot and it is quite common because of the fact that, now the whole world is different and the concept of ardent ‘Chella’ (Learner) has changed a lot. In earlier times people used to host a special prayer for their Gurus and in those prayers they used to recite the greatness and the nobleness of their gurus. That practice is still followed but not in the same manner. Guru can be any one who is teaching someone something.

Even parents are the gurus as they are the best preacher to the child. But it is said that a Guru is the one who acts as the link between the god and the human soul. And having Guru in your life is a must have thing. Guru is the one who guides the person on the way of peace and knowledge and finally to the god. On the other hand due to the globalization scenarios and the way people celebrate this day have changed a lot.

Children’s may not be seen touching the feet of their teachers or trainer but still the respect for Gurus or their teachers still lies in the heart of children. In various schools and colleges special events are organized to celebrate this day. In typical schools like Ashram, the scene is totally different. There, children recite prayer sand offers their services to the teachers there.

In some places it has been seen that, learners go out with their teachers to celebrate this day. The only thing which matters is that you have respect for your teacher or Guru, how you celebrate this day, is up to you only. Some people end up in having fast for the whole day and break it only after meeting with their guru. In India, this day is a special one and is a experience that a human being will never want to miss, at least for few days may be.

 

Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is held on July 18 each year. The day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation. 

What Do People Do?

Nelson Mandela Day not only celebrates Nelson Mandela’s life, but it is also a global call to action for people to recognize their ability to have a positive effect on others around them. The day hopes to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela shared. These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and respect.

Many people and organizations around the world take part in many activities to promote Nelson Mandela Day. These activities include volunteering, sport, art, education, music and culture. Various events are also held on or around July 18 to honor Nelson Mandela’s works and to promote the different projects that were inspired by Mandela’s achievements.

Mandela Day also celebrates a campaign known as “46664”, in reference to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. The campaign was originally launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. However, its focus expanded to broader humanitarian work. The efforts from Mandela Day support the campaign’s ongoing work and other Nelson Mandela charitable organizations.

Background

Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918. He is one of the most well-known anti-apartheid activists in South Africa. He was jailed in 1964 for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and for his stance on the human right to live in freedom.

Mandela’s prisoner number was 466 and the year was 1964 when he was imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in South Africa. The Robben Island prisoners were never referred to by their names, but rather by their numbers and year of imprisonment – hence 46664 was Nelson Mandela’s number. His release from prison in 1990 fed political debates in the country and contributed to South Africa’s transition towards a multi-racial democracy.

After his release, Nelson Mandela continued addressing racial issues in his country and supported reconciliation initiatives. His efforts resulted in him becoming elected as South Africa’s president in 1994. He remained in office as president until 1999. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize, together with another former South African president Frederik Willem de Klerk, in 1993. In 2007 Mandela formed the Elders, an independent group of global leaders who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major human suffering causes and promote shared interests of humanity.

The first Mandela Day was launched in New York on July 18, 2009, but the UN’s resolution to declare the day occurred later that year. On November 10, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring July 18 as “Nelson Mandela International Day”. The day marks Nelson Mandela’s contribution to peace through his active involvement in resolving conflicts, promoting human rights, international democracy and reconciliation, and in addressing racial issues.

Symbols

Various statues and civic tributes have been made to honor Nelson Mandela. For example, a statue in Mandela’s image stands at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, South Africa. A bridge, known as the Nelson Mandela Bridge, is also found in Johannesburg. Postage stamps have also been dedicated to Mandela, as well as various musical tributes, in previous times.

Note: timeanddate.com would like to thank sources such as mandeladay.com and 46664.com for information about Nelson Mandela Day.

Various Essay Writing Competitions

 

Scientist of the day - Charles Augustin de Coulomb

Charles Augustin de Coulomb was a French physicist best known for developing the law of physics which is named after him. Coulomb’s law, also known as Coulomb’s inverse-square law, describes the electrostatic interactions between electrically charged particles. It was his discoveries and studies during the late 18th century that formed the foundation for the development of the theory of electromagnetism later on. He made equally important contributions in the field of friction studies, torsions, applied mechanics, and magnetism. Born into a wealthy family, he received a good education and was a very studious and bright student. He graduated from the Royal Engineering School of Mézières (École royale du génie de Mézières) and held a number of engineering jobs over the course of his professional life. He was also interested in research and began to write papers on applied mechanics. Alongside his engineering career, he continued his own work on friction and magnetism. Once he was asked to report on the feasibility of a navigable canal. Through his research he concluded that the proposed plan was too expensive—this angered the French bureaucracy and he was penalized. Knowing that he was right, he felt disappointed with the French government and decided to invest his efforts in the study of physics instead. 

 

Childhood & Early Life

Charles Coulomb was born on 14 June 1736, in Angouleme, France, to aristocratic parents. His father, Henri Coulomb worked as a lawyer, while his mother Catherine Bajet hailed from a well-established family.

Major Works

He is best known for developing Coulomb’s law which he first published in 1785. This law which described the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles led to the development of the theory of electromagnetism. 

Awards & Achievements

• His memoir on magnetic compasses earned him a shared first prize in the Paris Académie des Sciences competition in 1777.
• In 1781, he won the first prize at the Académie des Sciences for his work, ‘Theorie des Machines Simples ("Theory of Simple Machines")’ and was elected to the Academie as adjoint mécanicien.

   

  Trivia
• His name is included among the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.
• The SI unit of electric charge, the coulomb, was named after him.
• The theory of earth pressure and the generalized wedge theory, related to soil mechanics propounded by him still form the basis of engineering practice.

• He is credited with the invention of the torsion balance.

Scientist of the day - James Young

James Young was a Scottish Chemist, engineer, founder of the first commercial oil-works in the world, and is known as the father of the petrochemical industry. He was born to John Young, a cabinetmaker, and lived a modest life. He worked in the mornings as an apprentice to his father. He attended evening classes at Anderson’s College from the age of 19. It was there that he met Thomas Graham who was a lecturer in chemistry. He was appointed as an assistant to Graham, and became a friend of David Livingstone. His first important contribution to the field of science was the modification of the voltaic battery. He proposed immersing potatoes in dilute sulphuric acid as a means of combating potato blight. He developed lubricating oil and thinner oil for burning. His most important contribution, for which he came to be known as James “Paraffin” Young, was for developing the technique of extracting paraffin oil by distilling coal. He patented his production in the US and the UK. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, served as the President of Anderson’s College, and founded the Young Chair of Technical Chemistry at the College. He was elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. He was awarded an Honorary LLD at St. Andrews University. 

Childhood & Early Life

• James Young was on July 13, 1811 at Glasgow, Scotland to John Young, a cabinetmaker. He became an apprentice to his father quite early in life, and educated himself studying at night school.
• He worked in the mornings and attended evening classes at Anderson’s College from the age of 19 where he met Thomas Graham who was a lecturer in chemistry.

  Major Works
• In 1847, his was told about oil oozing from the Riddings colliery in Derbyshire. After considerable experimentation, he and Mr Edward Meldrum developed thick lubricating oil, and a thin oil suitable for burning.

He discovered that by slow distillation a number of useful liquids could be obtained from coal. One such liquid was “paraffine oil” which congealed at low temperatures. He patented his products in 1850.

Awards & Achievements

In 1879, he was awarded an Honorary LLD at St. Andrews University, and for two years was the Vice-President of the Chemical Society. He was elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

Personal Life & Legacy

• Young was married to Mary and the couple had three sons and four daughters.
• He died at his home on May 13, 1883 in Kelly, near Wemyss Bay, and was survived by his wife, their three sons and four daughters. He was buried at Inverkip.
• The James Young High School in Livingston, and the James Young Halls at the University of Strathclyde were named after him. In 2011, he was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.

  Trivia
• This Scottish scientist built a miniature version of the “Victoria Falls” in Limefield House, where he lived, as a tribute to David Livingstone who discovered it in the mid-19th century.

This scientific researcher was a good friend of David Livingstone, and funded a search expedition to find Livingstone when he went missing. He also arranged to have Livingstone’s servants brought back to England.

Malala Day

12 July is observed as Malala Day across the World and by United Nations. The day is being observed by the United Nations to highlight the fight of education of the Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai.

Seminars, conferences and other ceremonies were held across Pakistan wherein scholars, educationists and analysts participated to pay tribute to Malala, who fought for girl's education in Swat valley against the Taliban. 12 July, the day of Malala’s Birth was declared as Malala Day by UN General Secretary Ban-Ki-Moon on her 16th Birthday.

About Malala
Malala is the girl from Pakistan, who was shot in head and neck by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on 9 October 2012 for advocating girls for their right to education and speaking against Taliban.

World Population Day

World Population Day 2016 will be observed on Monday, 11 July.

World Population Day is celebrated at International level to spread knowledge about Population issues around the globe. This year (2016), the day will be celebrated with theme: 'Investing in teenage girls'.

World Population Day as the name suggests is an annual day observed around the world to bring awareness about Population growth and its related issues. With a population of more than 7.2 billion as of March 2015, it's very important for people on earth to realize and act on healthier lives and importance of small families. Started in 1987, World Population Day has gained much popularity with support from organizations and masses around the world. It also focuses on challenges presented by world of 7 billion people. Reproductive Health services are one of the main targets set by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) by 2015. So World Population Day is observed in more than 200 countries to bring awareness to people about importance of small families and living healthy lives. On this day, several programs are initiated to educate people about family planning methods. The day is observed every year to bring awareness in people about living a healthy life with benefits of having a small family.

World Population Day was first started on 11 July in 1987, the day world population reached five billion people. Many organizations around the world celebrate this day by arranging special campaigns and programs to educated people about global population issues. They are working closely with Government Organizations, NGO's and numerous non-profit organizations to spread the message.

World Population may simply refer to total number of living humans on Earth. According to latest estimates of United States Census Bureau (USCB), World Population is estimated to be 7.023 billion. World Population has witnesses a rapid growth in the last 200 years. Countries like China and India together constitutes 37% of the total world population. Also Asia with 4.2 billion people has largest population continent wise. It accounts for over 60% of the world population as compared to other continents around the world.

Growth of World Population
On 11 July, 2007, the 20 anniversary of World Population Day, the estimated World Population was 6,727,551,263. World Population Day or Five Billion Day is observed throughout the world in more than 200 countries.

World Population Day Themes

• World Population Day 2016 theme is 'Investing in teenage girls'.
• The theme of 2015 was “Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies”.
• The theme of 2014 was “A time to reflect on population trends and related issues” and “Investing in Young People”.
• The theme of 2013 was “Focus is on Adolescent Pregnancy”.
• The theme of 2012 was “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”.
• The theme of 2011 was “7 Billion Actions”.
• The theme of 2010 was “Be Counted: Say What You Need”.
• The theme of 2009 was “Fight Poverty: Educate Girls”.
• The theme of 2008 was “Plan Your Family, Plan Your Future”.
• The theme of 2007 was “Men at Work”
• The theme of 2006 was “Being Young is Tough”.
• The theme of 2005 was “Equality Empowers”.
• The theme of 2004 was “ICPD at 10”.
• The theme of 2003 was “1,000,000,000 adolescents”.
• The theme of 2002 was “Poverty, Population and Development”.
• The theme of 2001 was “Population, Environment and Development”.
• The theme of 2000 was “Saving Women’s Lives”.
• The theme of 1999 was “Start the Count-up to the Day of Six Billion”.
• The theme of 1998 was “Approaching the Six Billion”.
• The theme of 1997 was “Adolescent Reproductive Health Care”.
• The theme of 1996 was “Reproductive Health and AIDS”.

Scientist of the day - Igor Tamm

Igor Yevgenyevich Tamm was a Soviet physicist and mathematician who was jointly awarded ‘Nobel Prize in Physics’ in 1958 with fellow physicists Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov and Ilya Frank, for elucidating along with Frank the science behind the Cherenkov radiation or the ‘Cherenkov effect’. It is a unique form of electromagnetic radiation, a phenomenon discovered by Cherenkov, which says, when charged particles like electrons travel with high velocity, faster than light, through a particular medium, a slight bluish light is emitted. Tamm was also reputed for his initial research work on specific types of electron bonding on the surfaces of crystalline solids, the concept of Tamm states. This work of Tamm was later significantly applied in the development of solid-state semiconductor devices. He held the chair of theoretical physics at the ‘Moscow State University’ following a stint as a lecturer in its physics department. He also served for decades as the head of the theoretical division of the ‘Lebedev Physical Institute’ (commonly abbreviated as ‘FIAN’), of the ‘Russian Academy of Sciences’, Moscow, one of the oldest research institutes in Russia. He also contributed towards devising the first thermonuclear bomb of the Soviet Union when he and his team from ‘FIAN’ worked under physicist Yuly Khariton’s direction on the project in a secret installation known as Arzamas-16. He was conferred the title ‘Hero of Socialist Labour’ in 1953. 

Childhood & Early Life

He was born on July 8, 1895, in Vladivostok, Russian Empire to Evgenij Tamm and his wife Olga Davydova. His father was an electrical engineer who worked in Yelizavetgrad (presently Kirovohrad, Ukraine), designated to build and manage water systems and electric power stations.

Awards & Achievements

He received the ‘Nobel Prize in Physics’ in 1958 jointly with Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov and Ilya Frank, for explaining the real cause behind the Cherenkov radiation.

Personal Life & Legacy

• In September 1917 he married Nataliya Shuyskaya. The couple was blessed with two children - a daughter Irina, born in 1921 and a son, Evgeny, born in 1926. Irina was a chemist and Evgeny was a physicist also renowned as a mountain climber. In 1982 Evgeny led the Soviet Everest expedition.
• Tamm was an atheist.
• On April 12, 1971, he passed away in Moscow at the age of 75 years.

Trivia

The shallow lunar impact crater, situated to the west-northwest of the large and much more prominent crater called ‘Chaplygin’, is named after him as ‘Tamm’.