02 May - Giulio Natta death annivesary

 

Giulio Natta (26 February 1903 – 02 May 1979) was an Italian chemist and Nobel laureate who is best known for his work on the development of stereospecific catalysts for polymerization reactions.

From 1929 to 1933, he also taught physical chemistry at the University of Milan’s Faculty of Science. He started working on the X-ray structures of inorganic compounds at the University of Milan. In 1932, he studied electron diffraction analysis with Hermann Staudinger in Germany and used both processes to investigate the structure of solid materials.

Later, he defined the structure of several hydroxides and hydrates. He also built an ingenious low-temperature spectrograph and described the structure of gases that solidify there.

In 1935, he was appointed as a full professor of general chemistry at the University of Rome. In the following years, he shifted to the University of Turin and remained there till 1938.

In the 1950s, he developed a stereospecific catalyst that could be used to synthesize polymers with a controlled structure and high molecular weight. This catalyst, which was based on titanium and magnesium, was widely used in the production of polypropylene and other important plastics.

Eventually, he developed linear non-branched olefinic polymers and copolymers with an atactic structure in Montecatini’s lab. He also determined the exact arrangement of chains in the lattice of the new crystalline polymers he discovered with X-ray investigations.

Natta wasn’t just a great scientist but also a great teacher and trained innumerable students, who later took on influential posts at universities. He prepared every lesson in advance, and his students appreciated his commitment to teaching.

He died on 2 May 1979, in Bergamo, Italy.

02 May - Leonardo da Vinci death anniversary

 

Leonardo da Vinci (15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519) was an Italian polymath, artist, scientist, inventor, and writer who is widely considered one of the greatest geniuses of all time.

Leonardo’s artistic genius is evident in his iconic paintings, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, which are considered among the greatest masterpieces in the history of Western art. He also created numerous other paintings, drawings, and sculptures that are admired for their artistic skill, innovative techniques, and meticulous attention to detail.

Leonardo da Vinci was a pioneering scientist and inventor, known for his keen observations and innovative ideas. He conducted studies in anatomy, geology, engineering, and optics, among other fields. His scientific and technical drawings, including his famous Vitruvian Man, are considered groundbreaking and continue to inspire modern scientific research.

Leonardo da Vinci’s numerous inventions and engineering designs spanned a wide range of fields, including aviation, architecture, military technology, and transportation. Some of his notable inventions include flying machines, armored vehicles, and water-based devices.

Leonardo was a prolific writer and kept numerous notebooks filled with his observations, ideas, and sketches. His writings covered a wide range of topics, including art theory, anatomy, engineering, and philosophy, providing insight into his creative and intellectual mind.

He died on 2 May 1519 in France.

02 May - Satyajit Ray

 

Satyajit Ray ( 02 May 1921 – 23 April 1992), one of the world’s greatest film personalities of the twentieth century, who gave a new direction to the films of the realistic stream. Apart from this, he also showed his talent in other genres like literature, and painting. He was best known as a director in films but has also earned a notable reputation as a writer and litterateur. His first film ‘Pather Panchali’ received a total of eleven international awards including the “Best Human Document” award at the Cannes Film Festival. Satyajit Ray, who gave new recognition to Indian films in the world, is honored with Padma Shri (1958), Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (1976), and Ramon Magsaysay Award (1967) in addition to Bharat Ratna (1992). Awarded the Honorary Oscar Award’ to Satyajit Ray for his phenomenal contribution to world cinema. Apart from this, he and his work won a total of 32 National Film Awards. He was born on 2 May 1921.

01 May - Amar Shahid Bandhu Singh was born

 Amar Shahid Bandhu Singh, also known as Bandhu Singh, was a prominent figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence. He was born on 01 May 1833, and he played a significant role in the uprising against British colonial rule in India.

Bandhu Singh hailed from the village of Dharauli in the Shahjahanpur district of present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a member of the Kisan Sabha (Peasant Association) and became a leader among the local farmers and peasants.

During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Bandhu Singh emerged as a key leader in the resistance against British rule in the Shahjahanpur region. He led a group of armed rebels and played a crucial role in organizing attacks on British officials and establishments.

One of the notable events associated with Bandhu Singh is the capture of Shahjahanpur on June 6, 1857, from the British forces. Under his leadership, the rebels managed to seize control of the town for a brief period before eventually being suppressed by British reinforcements.

Bandhu Singh continued to lead the resistance against British rule until he was captured by British forces in August 1858. He was subsequently executed on 12 August 1858, at the age of 25, making the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of Indian independence.

Bandhu Singh's bravery, leadership, and sacrifice have made him a revered figure in Indian history, particularly in the context of the struggle against British colonialism. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance and defiance against oppression, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians striving for freedom and justice.

01 May - Balraj Sahni birth anniversary

 

Balraj Sahni, one of the finest actors to have graced the Hindi film screen, was born Yudhisthir Sahni on 1 May 1913 in Rawalpindi (now part of Pakistan) to a Punjabi family. He died on 13 April 1973.

As a youngster he studied Hindi and English literature in university, and worked as a teacher at Shantiniketan (Bengal) and for the BBC radio’s Hindi service in Britain. One of the pioneering members of the Indian People’s Theater Association, he acted in plays like Zubeida and The Inspector General. Though Sahni is best remembered as a film actor, his colleagues in theater had fond memories of the time he spent with them.

In his memoirs, Habib Tanvir, one of the leading names in Indian theatre after Independence, wrote: “For all his work in films, cinema wasted his (Sahni’s) talent. He was such a brilliant comedian, he was so effective in Jadu ki Kursi that his performance was unforgettable. I have seen many of his films too; he always acted with great control and subtlety but he was never given a comic role.”

Sahni’s debut Hindi film was Insaaf. This was followed by films like Dharti Ke Lal (based on the 1943 Bengal famine) and Door Chalein. In 1951, he worked with actors Dilip Kumar and Nargis in Hulchul. In between the film’s shooting, Sahni was arrested for being a communist sympathiser, and the film director K. Asif took special court permission to allow Sahni to shoot.

It was, however, in 1953 that Sahni’s acting prowess was widely recognised after the release of Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zameen, which won a prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France. In it he played the role of Shambhu, a farmer trying to save his small plot of land from an unscrupulous landlord. Unable to pay a loan, he goes to Calcutta where he pulls a rickshaw to earn a meagre income.

Another famous film of Sahni was Kabuliwala (1961), based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore. Sahni effectively portrayed the character of a dry-fruit seller who comes from Afghanistan to sell his goods in Calcutta.

His other films include Lajwanti, Kathputli, Seema, Pavitra Paapi and—more famously—Garm Hava, Haqeeqat and Waqt. In Haqeeqat, one of India’s best war films (based on the disastrous 1962 war with China), Sahni played the role of an Indian army officer.

Garam Hawa, directed by M.S. Sathyu, was a story about Partition and its effects on individuals. Sahni depicts the inner turmoil of a Muslim businessman from Agra who refuses to leave everything behind and go to the newly created Pakistan. 

01 May - David Livingstone death anniversary

 

David Livingstone was a Scottish physician, missionary, and explorer who made significant contributions to the mapping of Africa and the abolition of the slave trade. Born on 19 March 1813, in Blantyre, Scotland, Livingstone dedicated much of his life to exploring the African continent and advocating for its exploration and development.

Livingstone's explorations in Africa began in the 1840s, during which he traveled extensively across the continent, often in regions previously uncharted by Europeans. He is best known for his travels along the Zambezi River and his discovery of the Victoria Falls in 1855, which he named in honor of Queen Victoria of Britain.

In addition to his exploration efforts, Livingstone was deeply committed to his Christian missionary work and sought to spread Christianity and combat the slave trade in Africa. His writings and lectures back in Europe played a significant role in raising awareness about the atrocities of the slave trade and advocating for its abolition.

Livingstone's final expedition, in search of the source of the Nile River, ended tragically when he died on 01 May 1873, in what is now Zambia. His body was transported back to Britain, where he was buried in Westminster Abbey, London, as a national hero.

David Livingstone's legacy lives on not only through his exploration achievements but also through his humanitarian efforts and advocacy for the African continent. He remains an iconic figure in the history of exploration and the fight against slavery.

01 May - Ramakrishna Mission was founded by swami Vivekananda

 

On 1 May 1897, Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda.

Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation which forms the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement or the Vedanta Movement. The mission is named after an Indian spiritual Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on 1 May 1897. The organisation mainly propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita Vedanta and four yogic ideals – Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga.

01 May - Labour Day or May Day

 

Labour Day in India is also known as May Day and is celebrated on May 1st every year. It is a day to honor the contributions of workers to society and recognize the struggles they face in the workplace.

The origins of Labour Day in India can be traced back to the late 19th century, when workers across the world began to organize and demand better working conditions and fair wages. In India, the first Labour Day was celebrated on May 1, 1923, when the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan organized a rally in Chennai.

Since then, Labour Day has been celebrated annually in India, with various labor unions and organizations organizing events and demonstrations to highlight the importance of workers' rights and issues.

One of the most significant labor issues in India is the issue of low wages and poor working conditions. Many workers, particularly those in the informal sector, work long hours for low pay and have little job security. The lack of a minimum wage in many sectors exacerbates this problem.

Another issue faced by workers in India is the right to form unions and collective bargaining. While Indian law allows for the formation of unions, workers often face significant obstacles when trying to organize. Employers may use threats and intimidation to prevent unionization, and the government has been criticized for not doing enough to protect workers' rights.

In recent years, Labour Day in India has also been used to highlight the struggles of marginalized workers, such as women, Dalits, and Adivasis. These groups often face discrimination and exploitation in the workplace, and Labour Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of their issues and demand action.

Overall, Labour Day in India is a day to honor the contributions of workers and advocate for their rights and well-being. It is a reminder that the struggle for better working conditions and fair wages is ongoing and that workers must continue to organize and fight for their rights

 

01 May - Maharashtra Day.

 

Maharashtra Day was for commemorating the formation of the state of Maharashtra, from the division of the Bombay State on 1 May 1960. Maharashtra Day is commonly associated with parades and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of Maharashtra. It is celebrated to commemorate the creation of a Marathi speaking state of Maharashtra. 

Above cover has a cancellation of Maharashtra Day.

01 May - The Penny Black.

 

The Penny Black is the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in Great Britain on 1 May 1840, but was not valid for use until 6 May 1840. It features a profile of Queen Victoria.

In 1837, British postal rates were high, complex and anomalous. To simplify matters, Sir Rowland Hill proposed an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage. At the time it was normal for the recipient to pay postage on delivery, charged by the sheet and on distance travelled. The Penny Black allowed letters of up to 1⁄2 ounce (14 grams) to be delivered at a flat rate of one penny, regardless of distance.