15 January - Kanuma festival

 

Kanuma is a traditional festival celebrated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana. It falls on the third day of the Sankranti festival, typically in mid-January, following Bhogi and Makara Sankranti. The festival is dedicated to cattle and other domesticated animals, recognizing their importance in agriculture and rural livelihoods.

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Significance

1. Agricultural Connection:

   • Kanuma honors cattle as indispensable companions for farmers, acknowledging their role in plowing fields and providing dairy products.
   • It reflects the agrarian roots of Indian culture, where animals are considered family members.

2. Spiritual Aspect:

   • Kanuma is steeped in tradition, with rituals symbolizing harmony between humans, animals, and nature.
   • It aligns with the harvest festival, celebrating abundance and prosperity.

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Customs and Celebrations

1. Cattle Worship:

   • Farmers clean, decorate, and worship their cattle with turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), and flowers.
   • Horns are often painted or adorned with ornaments, and the animals are given special treats.

2. Cultural Activities:

   • Villages host bull races and other competitions, emphasizing the strength and agility of cattle.
   • Traditional folk dances, music, and feasts mark the day.

3. Feasting:

   • Families prepare and share festive dishes, including seasonal delicacies made from freshly harvested crops.

4. Social Gatherings:

   • People visit relatives and neighbors, exchange sweets, and celebrate community spirit.

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Regional Variations

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Kanuma festival is an integral part of the Sankranti celebrations, with local traditions adding unique flavors. Some regions incorporate cockfighting (although controversial), bullock cart races, and other traditional contests.

15 January - National Pothole Day

 

National Pothole Day, observed annually on January 15, was first established in the United Kingdom in 2015 by the online platform StreetRepairs.co.uk to raise awareness about the hazards of potholes and advocate for better road maintenance. This day highlights the significant challenges potholes pose, including vehicle damage, increased repair costs, traffic disruptions, and heightened risks of accidents for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. It encourages citizens to report hazardous road conditions to local authorities and participate in campaigns that promote road safety and infrastructure improvement. Social media campaigns, often using hashtags like #NationalPotholeDay, help amplify the issue by sharing images, stories, and calls to action. National Pothole Day underscores the need for governments to allocate adequate funding for road repair and maintenance while fostering community engagement to address these pressing concerns effectively.

15 January - Avatar Singh Cheema birth anniversary

 

Avatar Singh Cheema was a legendary Indian mountaineer and an officer in the Indian Army, celebrated for his groundbreaking achievements in mountaineering.

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Early Life and Background

• Born: 15 January 1933
• Hometown: Punjab, India
• Profession: Officer in the Indian Army, serving in the Punjab Regiment.

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Mount Everest Feat (1965)

1. First Indian to Summit:

   • Cheema became the first Indian to successfully summit Mount Everest on 20 May 1965. This made him the 16th person in the world to reach the peak of the world's highest mountain (8,848 meters/29,029 feet).

2. Team and Expedition:

   • The Indian expedition, led by Captain M.S. Kohli, was historic as it saw nine members reach the summit, a record at the time.
   • Cheema climbed alongside Nawang Gombu, who became the first person in the world to scale Mount Everest twice.

3. Challenges:

   • The team faced extreme weather, avalanches, and thin air at high altitudes, making the achievement a testament to their resilience and teamwork.

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Recognition and Awards

• Padma Shri (1965):
  • Awarded one of India's highest civilian honors for his mountaineering feat and contribution to adventure sports.
• Arjuna Award: Recognized for outstanding achievement in sports.

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Legacy

• Indian Mountaineering Pioneer:
  • Avatar Singh Cheema's success inspired a generation of Indian climbers and established India as a prominent player in the global mountaineering community.
• Training and Advocacy:
  • He was involved in training young mountaineers and promoting the sport in India through institutions like the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

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Later Life

• Cheema continued his association with mountaineering and the Indian Army until his retirement. He passed away in 2009, leaving behind an enduring legacy.

15 January - John Chilembwe Day

 

John Chilembwe Day is a public holiday observed in Malawi to commemorate the life and contributions of Reverend John Chilembwe, a key figure in the country's history. The day is observed annually on January 15th.

Reverend John Chilembwe was a Baptist pastor and a prominent early 20th-century anti-colonial and anti-imperialism activist in Nyasaland, which is now present-day Malawi. He led the Chilembwe uprising in 1915 against British colonial rule and the mistreatment of Africans.

John Chilembwe Day is an important occasion for reflection on Malawi's history and its struggle for independence. The day is marked by various events, including ceremonies, educational programs, and cultural activities that celebrate and honor Reverend John Chilembwe's legacy in the country's fight against colonial oppression.

 

15 January - Baba Raghav Das death anniversary

 

Baba Raghav Das (12 December 1896 - 15 January 1958), popularly known as the Gandhi of Poorvanchal, was an Indian guru, freedom fighter, reformer, philosopher, member of parliament, and an activist. He is best known for his social contributions. The government of India released a postage stamp in his honour in 1998 .

15 January - Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir birth anniversary

 

Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (15 January 1899 – 18 January 1976) was an Indian politician and Punjabi language writer. He was the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1 November 1966 to 8 March 1967.
Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (left) with other Political leaders on 6 February 1956.

He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in Punjabi, given by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in 1978 for his short story collection, Urvar Par and was posthumously decorated with Padma Vibhushan, the second highest Indian civilian award given by Government of India.

15 January - Civil Rights Day USA

 

Civil Rights Day, is an annual observance marked on the third Monday in January, and takes place on January 15 this year. It celebrates the movement started by Martin Luther King Jr. to end racism and inequality in the U.S. This movement was a decade-long campaign by the African Americans for their rights and to put an end to legalized racial segregation by the ‘white’ people against people of ‘any other color.’ This campaign led by Martin Luther King Jr. and others ended legalized discrimination in the United States against people of color.

15 January - National Hat Day USA

 

National Hat Day in the United States is observed on January 15th each year. This celebrates the variety of hats worn by people for fashion, protection, or just personal style. It's a lighthearted occasion, and individuals often participate by wearing their favorite hats, sharing pictures on social media, or engaging in hat-related activities. While National Hat Day is not a public holiday, it provides a fun opportunity for people to showcase their favorite headgear.

15 January - Tripuraneni Ramaswamy birth anniversary

 

Born    15 January 1887
Died    16 January 1943

Tripuraneni Ramaswamy also known as Tripuraneni Ramaswamy, was a lawyer, poet, playwright and reformer active among the Telugu-speaking people. He was popularly known as Kaviraju (the "king of poets"), a title given to him by the Andhra Mahasabha in 1929.

Ramaswamy was part of a growing movement in India to reassess the culture of India. This movement included such people as Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ranade, Dayananda Saraswati, Kandukuri Veeresalingam and Gurazada Apparao.



Ramaswamy was a patriot even when he was a student. He wrote a patriotic play Rana Pratap, which was proscribed by the British government. He was an ardent lover of the Telugu language and culture and was proud of their history. He was an educationist and was a member of the senate of the Andhra University for three terms. Ramaswamy was awarded many honors and was popularly known as 'Kaviraju', a title conferred on him.

The Indian government issued a commemorative postage stamp with his picture in 1987, his centenary year.