08 January - Howrah Railway Station inaugurated in 1854

 

Howrah Railway Station, located in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), was inaugurated on 08 January 1854, making it one of the oldest and most iconic railway stations in India. Serving as a major hub for the Eastern and South-Eastern regions of the country, it stands as a gateway connecting Kolkata to the rest of India. The station was originally built to facilitate the first passenger train in eastern India, which ran from Howrah to Hooghly, marking the beginning of India's railway journey.

The station’s architectural design is a blend of colonial and functional styles, with its iconic façade and clock tower symbolizing its historical significance. Over the years, it has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and trains. Today, Howrah boasts 23 platforms and is one of the largest railway terminals in the country, catering to over a million passengers daily. Its strategic location by the Hooghly River and proximity to the Howrah Bridge enhances its connectivity.

A testament to India’s railway heritage, Howrah Railway Station remains a bustling center of activity, embodying the legacy of one of the world’s largest railway networks.

08 January - International Typing Day

 

Typing Day (also known as International Typing Day or World Typing Day) is an annual event that falls on 08 January in Malaysia. It is co-organized by the STC (Speed Typing Contest) Team from JCI (Junior Chamber International) Mines and Team TAC (Typo Auto Corrector) to promote speed, accuracy and efficiency in written communication among the public.

Typing Day was conceptualized in Malaysia and falls yearly on the 8th of January. It was first celebrated in 2011 and aims to encourage people to express themselves via written communication and also in commemoration of the Malaysian Speed Typing Contest 2011, which broke two records in the Malaysian Book of Records (MBR) i.e. the Fastest Typist and the Largest Participation for a Typing Event.

Typing Day is held on 8 January because it is one week after new years where everyone will have the time to think through and plan what they want to do for the following days and write it down on this day. For example, documents and ideas like resolution of the past year, vision, mission and objective for this year, compilations of ideas, opinions of the previous years etc. can be produced and shared with others. 

08 January - David Bowie birth anniversary

 

David Bowie, whose full name was David Robert Jones, was a legendary English musician, actor, and record producer. He was born on 08 January 1947, in Brixton, London, England, and passed away on 10 January  2016.

Bowie was a highly influential figure in the music industry and is regarded as one of the most innovative and versatile musicians of the 20th century. Over his career, he explored various musical genres, including rock, pop, soul, funk, electronic, and experimental music. Some of his most well-known albums include "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" (1972), "Hunky Dory" (1971), "Heroes" (1977), and "Let's Dance" (1983).

Throughout his career, Bowie created a variety of alter egos and personas, such as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and the Thin White Duke, contributing to his reputation as a chameleon in the music world. In addition to his musical achievements, Bowie was also an accomplished actor, with notable roles in films like "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976) and "Labyrinth" (1986).

David Bowie's impact on popular culture, his willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles, and his artistic innovation have left an enduring legacy in the world of music and entertainment. His death in 2016 marked the end of an era, but his influence continues to resonate with generations of fans and fellow artists.

 

08 January - Anton Trstenjak birth anniversary

 

Anton Trstenjak ( 08 January 1906 – 29 September 1996) was Slovene psychologist, theologian, and author. He is notable as a pioneer of Slovenian clinical psychology and was practicing his own Logotherapy-inspired psychotherapy. As author he wrote books in specific areas of applied psychology such as ecological psychology, pastoral psychology, psychology of work and organization, and his overview of the field of psychology in general.

08 January - Madhu Limaye death anniversary

 

Madhu Limaye (1922–1982) was an Indian politician and a prominent socialist leader. He played a significant role in Indian politics, particularly during the post-independence era. Here are some key points about Madhu Limaye:

Early Life: Madhu Limaye was born on 01 May 1922, in Pune, Maharashtra.

Political Career: He was associated with the socialist movement in India and played a crucial role in the formation of the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP) in 1963.

Member of Parliament: Limaye served as a Member of Parliament (MP) and was known for his articulate speeches and strong advocacy for socialist principles.

 Emergency Period: During the Emergency (1975–1977), imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Limaye was an outspoken critic. He was arrested along with several other opposition leaders during this period.

 Later Years: After the Emergency, Madhu Limaye continued to be active in politics and remained committed to socialist ideals.

 Death: Madhu Limaye passed away on 08 January 1982.

Madhu Limaye's contributions to socialist thought and his efforts to promote social justice have left a lasting impact on Indian politics. He is remembered as one of the prominent leaders who advocated for democratic values and social equality in post-independence India.

08 January - Swami Pranavananda death anniversary

 

Swami Pranavananda (29 January 1896 – 08 January 1941) was a Hindu yogi and saint who founded a not-for-profit and spiritual organization known as the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. He is remembered for his pioneering efforts to bring the modern Hindu society into the new age without compromising the essential values of ancient traditions of Hindu spirituality.Swamiji was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of modern India. He is still revered very much for his message of universal love, compassion for all humanity and social reform without giving up the nationalist zeal, the love of mother land.

He was born on 29 January 1896, the auspicious day of Maghi Purnima (16th Magha, 1302), in a Bengali Kayasth family Bajitpur in a village in Faridpur District in undivided India (presently in Bangladesh). His parents Vishnu Charan Bhuia and Saradadevi were very pious and blessed by Lord Shiva to have a son for the mitigation of human suffering and universal emancipation. He was affectionately named Jaynath by his father at birth and later in his boyhood he was called Binod. Binod showed uncommon philosophical inclinations and had divine visions since childhood and often could be seen in deep contemplation at the village school. He was popular with the children of the locality because of his helpful nature.

08 January - Ramchandra Sakharam Ruikar birth anniversary

 

Ramchandra Sakharam Ruikar was a pioneer of the Indian labour movement. He was born on 08 January 1895 in Rui, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He went graduated from college from Pune and Nagpur with a masters in history and economics. He created a legal service in Nagpur, where he founded the Nagpur Textile Union. The union was the first to registered under the Trade Unions Act. He went on to help create more unions around India. He was elected as president of the All India Trade Union Congress twice. He was arrested and imprisoned many times for his beliefs. In 1938, he joined the All India Forward Bloc and soon became general secretary of that party.

In 1946, Ruikar was selected as the AITUC delegate at the International Labour Organization Conference.

He led a split within the Forward Bloc in 1948, and his faction constituted a separate All India Forward Bloc (Ruikar). In December 1948, he became the president of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha trade union federation.Later his party was disbanded and he joined the Praja Socialist Party.