14 September - The death of Prophet Muhammad

 

The Death of Prophet Muhammad occurs annually on the 28th day of the Islamic month of Safar and this year, that falls on September 14. Each year the date of the public holiday in Iran changes based on the sightings of the moon. Not only does this day commemorate the Death of Prophet Muhammad but also the Martyrdom of Imam Hassan. Both of these are important events to Shi’a Muslims.

The day is observed with a simple dinner followed by prayers and a sermon at the mosque. The observance provides followers an opportunity to focus on the important teaching of the Prophet. The basic teachings are to be good and do good and to refrain from doing immoral things and committing vices.

14 September - Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay death anniversary

 

Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay (23 July 1898 – 14 September 1971) was a renowned Indian Bengali writer, novelist, and essayist. He is widely regarded as one of the leading figures in Bengali literature of the 20th century. His works often explored social and political themes and are known for their vivid portrayal of rural life in Bengal.

Some of his most notable works include:

1. Pather Panchali (The Song of the Road): This novel, published in 1929, is considered one of his masterpieces. It tells the story of a young boy named Apu and his family as they struggle to make a living in rural Bengal.

2. Dhatridebata (The Elder Sister): This novel deals with the life of an impoverished woman named Dhatridebata and her struggles in a male-dominated society.

3. Ganadevata (The People's God): Published in 1942, this novel explores the socio-political changes in rural Bengal during the British Raj and the role of religion in people's lives.

4. Hansuli Banker Upakatha (The Tale of the Hansuli Bank): This novel, published in 1947, is set in the backdrop of the Chhotanagpur plateau and portrays the lives of the tribal communities there.

5. Chandrasekhar (Chandrasekhar): This historical novel tells the story of Chandrasekhar Azad, a prominent freedom fighter during India's struggle for independence.

Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Bengali literature, including the Rabindra Puraskar and the Jnanpith Award, one of India's most prestigious literary awards. His works continue to be celebrated for their rich storytelling and deep insights into human nature and society.

 

14 September - Hindi national language in India

 

On 14th September 1949 Hindi was adopted as the Official Language of the Union of India. Later in 1950, the Constitution of India declared Hindi in the Devanagari script as the Official language of India. Apart from Hindi, English is also recognized as an Official Language of India. Different states of India identify their own official languages through legislation.

 

Hindi is one of the main languages of India and is spoken by around 40% of the Indian population. In 1950 it was declared that the use of English was to be put to an end, 15 years after the formation of the Constitution (by 26th January 1965). This decision was not met with gladly by non-Hindi speaking areas of India, such as South India (since their languages are not remotely similar to Hindi). Keeping this in mind, the Parliament brought into force the Official Languages Act 1963 which allowed the continuation of the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes after 1965. Some North Eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have English as their official language.