02 February- Lalit Narayan Mishra birth anniversary

 

Lalit Narayan Mishra (1923–1975) was an Indian politician and a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. He served in various capacities within the government and the Congress Party during his political career.

Key points about Lalit Narayan Mishra:

1. Early Life and Education: Lalit Narayan Mishra was born on 02 February 1923, in Aurangabad, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), India. He received his education from Banaras Hindu University.

2. Political Career: Lalit Narayan Mishra entered politics and became associated with the Indian National Congress. He held various positions within the party and the government.

3. Ministerial Roles: He served as a Union Minister in several capacities. Mishra held portfolios such as Railways, Transport and Communications, and Steel and Heavy Engineering.

4. Railway Minister: Lalit Narayan Mishra is particularly remembered for his tenure as the Minister of Railways. He played a significant role in the modernization and expansion of the Indian Railways during the 1970s.

5. Assassination: Tragically, Lalit Narayan Mishra was assassinated on 03 January 1975, while he was addressing a public meeting at Samastipur railway station in Bihar. The perpetrators were suspected to be extremists associated with political or ideological motives.

6. Legacy: Lalit Narayan Mishra's contributions to Indian politics and the development of the railway infrastructure are remembered. The Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change in Patna, Bihar, is named in his honor.

The assassination of Lalit Narayan Mishra was a significant event in Indian political history, and investigations into the case led to the apprehension and prosecution of individuals associated with the crime.

 

02 February - Surajkund Crafts Mela

 

 

Surajkund Crafts Mela is celebrated at Surajkund, District Faridabad, Haryana from 02 February to  18 February 2024. It is a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage. In this Mela, the richness, and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural fabric of India are seen. It is one of the most famous fairs, organized every year in Surajkund, Haryana, Near Delhi, by Haryana Tourism Department to promote handicrafts items.

02 February - Hedgehog Day

 

Hedgehog Day takes place every year on the 2nd February, It shares this day with Groundhog Day in the US and Canada. As there are no Hedgehogs in the Americas immigrants took that tradition with them from Europe. It is all about predicting the weather. In the US it is all about emerging from hibernation. The belief is that if the Groundhog comes out and sees his shadow then he will retreat into his burrow as winter will last another six weeks.

The tradition is similar in Europe with its origins going back to Roman times and afterwards getting tied in with the Christian celebration of Candlemas. The behavior of animals and plants has always been used as a way of predicting the weather

The Hedgehogs are found throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. There are Seventeen different species. The European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus is the one most people are familiar with. The Hedgehog has been with us virtually unchanged for at least 15 million years. So our ancestors always knew the Hedgehog.

This delightful little mammal has a lifespan of 4 - 7 years but longer in captivity.

Hedgehogs are omnivorous and feed on a wide variety of foods. They are especially good at controlling garden pests.