14 April - Pohela Boishakh celebrations

 

Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar which is also the official calendar of Bangladesh. This festival is celebrated on 14 April in Bangladesh and 15 April in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand and Assam (Barak Valley) by Bengalis regardless of religious faith.

Celebration of Pohela Boishakh traces its roots back to the traditions of Old Dhaka's Muslim community during Mughal rule, as well as the proclamation of tax collection reforms of Akbar.

The festival is celebrated with processions, fairs and family time. The traditional greeting for Bengalis in the new year is "Shubho Noboborsho" which is literally "Happy New Year". The festive Mangal Shobhajatra is organized in Bangladesh. In 2016, the UNESCO declared this festivity organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka as a cultural heritage of humanity.

14 April - Alfredo Volpi birth anniversary

 

Alfredo Volpi (April 14, 1896 – 28 May 1988), was a prominent painter of the artistic and cultural Brazilian modernist movement.He was born in Lucca, Italy but, less than two years later, he was brought by his parents to São Paulo, Brazil, became a Brazilian citizen, and lived for the majority of his life. He was one of the most important artists of the so-called Grupo Santa Helena, formed in the 1930s with Francisco Rebolo, Clóvis Graciano, Mario Zanini, Fulvio Pennacchi, and others.

14 April - Robert Doisneau French photographer birth anniversary

 

 

Robert Doisneau (14 April 1912 – 1 April 1994) was a French photographer. From the 1930s, he photographed the streets of Paris. He was a champion of humanist photography and with Henri Cartier-Bresson a pioneer of photojournalism.

Doisneau is known for his 1950 image Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville (The Kiss by the City Hall), a photograph of a couple kissing on a busy Parisian street.

He was appointed a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour in 1984 by then French president, François Mitterrand.

14 April - Jamshedji Jijabhai death anniversary

 

Jamshedji Jijabhai (15 July 1783 – 14 April 1859) was a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist.He is best known for his contributions to the development of Bombay (now Mumbai) and his philanthropic activities.

Jejeebhoy was born into a Parsi family in Bombay and began his career as a merchant. He quickly rose to prominence in business, becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the city. He was involved in various industries, including cotton trade, shipping, and banking, and played a significant role in the growth of Bombay as a commercial hub.

In addition to his business success, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was known for his philanthropy and charitable activities. He made substantial donations to various causes, including healthcare, education, and social welfare. He funded the construction of hospitals, schools, and public buildings, and also supported initiatives to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions for the less fortunate.

In recognition of his contributions to society, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was conferred a baronetcy by Queen Victoria in 1857, becoming the first Indian to receive such an honor. The title of 1st Baronet of Bombay recognized his philanthropy and his status as a prominent citizen of the city.

Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy's legacy lives on in Mumbai, where his philanthropic endeavors continue to benefit the community. He is remembered as a visionary businessman and a compassionate philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development and welfare of Bombay and its people.

14 April -Shamshad Begum birth anniversary

 

Shamshad Begum was born on  14 April 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, British India (now in Punjab, India). She passed away on  23 April 2013, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She was an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry. She had a distinctive voice and was a versatile artist, singing over 6,000 songs in Hindi and Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil and Punjabi languages and of them 1287 songs were Hindi film songs. She worked with maestros including  Naushad Ali, S. D. Burman, C. Ramchandra_ and _O. P. Nayyar.Her songs from the 1940s to the early 1970s remain popular and continue to be remixed.

14 April - Ustad Ali Akbar Khan birth anniversary

 

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (14 April 1922 – 18 June 2009) was a musician and sarod player. Ustad Khan was active in presenting Indian music to Western audiences. His music was rooted in the Hindustani (Northern) tradition of Indian music. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1988 by the Government of India and has kept the Indian classical music flag flying high in the world for the past five decades. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan was born on 14 April 1922

14 April - Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar birth anniversary

 

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, often referred to as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was a prominent Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformer. He was born on 14 April 1891, in the town of Mhow in the Central Provinces of British India (now in Madhya Pradesh, India), and he passed away on 06 December 1956.

Ambedkar is best known for his tireless efforts to eradicate social discrimination and caste-based oppression in India. He was born into the Dalit (formerly known as "untouchable") community and faced discrimination throughout his life. Despite facing numerous challenges, he pursued education vigorously and became one of the most educated Indians of his time.

Ambedkar played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India, serving as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. He was also India's first Minister of Law and Justice in the newly independent nation. Throughout his life, he advocated for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, and worked to promote social justice and equality.

Among his significant contributions was his work towards the upliftment of Dalits, including the campaign for the right to access public water sources and temples. He also fought against the practice of untouchability and worked to secure political representation and social equality for Dalits.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's legacy as a social reformer, jurist, and champion of the oppressed remains profound in India. He is revered as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and as a symbol of the struggle for social justice and equality. His birthday, 14 April is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India, commemorating his life and contributions to the nation.

12 April - Sugar Ray Robinson death anniversary

 

Sugar Ray Robinson, born Walker Smith Jr. on 03 May 1921, was an iconic American professional boxer widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. He was known for his exceptional skills, dazzling speed, and fluid movement inside the boxing ring.

Robinson's boxing career spanned from 1940 to 1965, during which he competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. He held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951 and the world middleweight title from 1951 to 1952, and again from 1955 to 1958. Over the course of his career, he won 173 fights, with 108 of them being knockouts, making him one of the most prolific knockout artists in boxing history.

Sugar Ray Robinson was not only known for his boxing prowess but also for his charisma and style. He was a pioneer in the sport, popularizing techniques such as the use of the left jab and the "rope-a-dope" strategy, later employed by Muhammad Ali. Robinson's fights were often characterized by his ability to adapt to his opponents' styles and his uncanny ability to land powerful combinations.

Beyond his achievements in the ring, Sugar Ray Robinson's impact on the sport of boxing and his influence on future generations of fighters is immeasurable. He remains a legendary figure in boxing history, revered for his skill, athleticism, and enduring legacy. Robinson passed away on 12 April 1989, but his name and legacy continue to resonate within the boxing community.

12 April - Mahesh Chandra Nyayratna Bhattacharyya death anniversary

 

Mahesh Chandra Nyayratna Bhattacharyya was indeed a prominent Indian scholar of Sanskrit and served as the principal of the Sanskrit College in Kolkata, India, from 1876 to 1895. He was born on 22 February 1836, and he passed away on 12 April 1906.

Bhattacharyya made significant contributions to the study and promotion of Sanskrit literature and language. As the principal of the Sanskrit College, he played a crucial role in the institution's academic and administrative affairs, helping to shape the education and scholarship of numerous students.

During his tenure, Bhattacharyya worked to preserve and propagate Sanskrit culture and knowledge, emphasizing its importance in Indian heritage and intellectual tradition. He also contributed to Sanskrit scholarship through his writings and research, furthering the understanding and appreciation of Sanskrit literature and philosophy.

Mahesh Chandra Nyayratna Bhattacharyya's dedication to Sanskrit studies and his leadership at the Sanskrit College have left a lasting legacy in the field of Sanskrit education in India. He is remembered as a distinguished scholar and educator who played a vital role in the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit heritage.

12 April - "Vinoo" Mankad birth annivesary

Mulvantrai Himmatlal "Vinoo" Mankad (12 April 1917 – 21 August 1978) was an Indian cricketer who appeared in 44 Test matches for India between 1946 and 1959. He was best known for his world record setting opening partnership of 413 runs with Pankaj Roy in 1956, a record that stood for 52 years, and for running out a batsman "backing up" at the non-striker's end. Mankadding in cricket is named after him. In June 2021, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India.