09 December - Chandra Nath Sharma birth anniversary

 

Chandra Nath Sharma (9 December 1889 – 20 July 1922) was a pioneering political figure in Assam during the Indian freedom struggle, known for his active participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. His contributions were significant in mobilizing people in Assam to rise against colonial rule and adopt nonviolent methods of protest. Below are more details about his life and work:

Key Contributions:

1. Role in the Non-Cooperation Movement:

   • Chandra Nath Sharma was the first prominent leader from Assam to embrace the principles of non-cooperation.
   • He encouraged the people of Assam to boycott British goods, institutions, and services, aligning with Gandhi's call for self-reliance and Swaraj (self-rule).

2. Founding Role in the Congress in Assam:

   • Sharma was instrumental in establishing the Indian National Congress in Assam, laying the foundation for organized political action against British imperialism in the state.
   • His efforts helped unify different communities in Assam under the Congress banner to fight for independence.

3. Advocacy for Local Issues:

   • Beyond national freedom, Sharma focused on regional issues affecting the Assamese people, such as education, agriculture, and cultural identity.
   • He worked to foster a sense of unity and pride among the diverse communities in Assam.

4. Inspirational Leadership:

   • Despite his early passing in 1922 at the age of 32, Sharma left a lasting legacy as a courageous and visionary leader.
   • His dedication to the cause of freedom inspired many others in Assam to join the struggle for independence.

Legacy:

• Chandra Nath Sharma is remembered for his pioneering spirit and his ability to connect the people of Assam with the larger national movement for independence.
• His contributions to the Indian National Congress in Assam remain a cornerstone in the political history of the state.

09 December - Daily Inquirer from Philippines founded in 1985

 

The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), or simply the Inquirer, is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines. Founded in 1985, it is often regarded as the Philippines' newspaper of record.The newspaper is the most awarded broadsheet in the Philippines and the multimedia group, called The Inquirer Group, reaches 54 million people across several platforms

09 December - The first traffic lights were installed in 1868

 

The first traffic lights were installed near the Houses of Parliament in London, at the junction of Great George Street and Bridge Street, on 09 December 1868. They were not electric lights, as we commonly have today, but rather gas-lit signals. The system was developed by railway signaling engineer J.P. Knight and operated manually by a police officer.

These early traffic lights were designed to control the flow of horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians. The gas lights had only two colors: red and green, similar to modern traffic lights. The first electric traffic lights were installed in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in 1914.

 

09 December - The Constituent Assembly of India met for the first time to write the Constitution of India.

 

The Constituent Assembly of India had its first meeting on 09 December 1946, but its primary objective was not to write the Constitution of India. The purpose of this initial meeting was to set up the structure of the Constituent Assembly, adopt its rules and procedures, and elect its president.

The actual process of drafting the Constitution began later. The Constituent Assembly appointed a drafting committee on August 29, 1947, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the chairman. The drafting committee presented the final draft of the Constitution to the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. The Constituent Assembly then debated and discussed the draft before adopting the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950.

January 26th is now celebrated annually as Republic Day in India, marking the day when the Constitution came into effect.

 

09 December - Ralph Bunche death anniversary

 

Ralph Bunche ( 07 August 1903 – 09 December 1971) was an American political scientist, diplomat, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Los Angeles. Bunche played a significant role in international diplomacy, particularly in the context of conflict resolution.

Key points about Ralph Bunche include:

1. Academic Career: Ralph Bunche earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1927. He later obtained a doctorate in political science from Harvard University in 1934.

2. United Nations: Bunche joined the United Nations (UN) in 1946 and became an advisor on colonial affairs. He played a crucial role in the formation of the UN and served as the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs.

3. Mediation in the Middle East: One of Bunche's most notable achievements was mediating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and its neighboring Arab states after the Arab-Israeli War. For his efforts, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950, becoming the first African American to receive the prize.

4. Civil Rights Activism: In addition to his diplomatic work, Ralph Bunche was actively involved in the civil rights movement in the United States. He participated in various civil rights organizations and worked towards promoting racial equality.

5. Legacy: Ralph Bunche's contributions to international diplomacy and conflict resolution, especially in the context of the United Nations, have left a lasting legacy. He is remembered not only for his diplomatic achievements but also for breaking racial barriers in international relations.

Ralph Bunche passed away on December 9, 1971, in New York City.

 

09 December - Dwarkanath Kotnis death anniversary

 

Dwarkanath Kotnis was an Indian physician who gained recognition for his service during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Born on 10 October 1910, in Solapur, Maharashtra, India, Kotnis graduated from the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1937. He later pursued further studies in London.

In 1938, Kotnis went to China to provide medical assistance during the war between China and Japan. He joined a group of five doctors collectively known as the "Indian Medical Mission." Dr. Kotnis worked in North China, primarily in the Eighth Route Army areas, and provided medical care to Chinese soldiers and civilians.

Tragically, Dwarkanath Kotnis died on 09 December 1942, at the young age of 32, due to complications from epilepsy and malnutrition. His contributions to Chinese medicine and his sacrifice have been remembered and honored both in India and China. There is a memorial dedicated to him in Shijiazhuang, China, and his life has been the subject of various books, documentaries, and films.

 

09 December - Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla death anniversary

 Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, MVC (15 May 1926 – 09 December 1971) was an officer of the Indian Navy. As the Commanding Officer of INS Khukri, he chose to go down with his ship when his ship was sunk during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.