03 May - World Press Freedom Day

 

 

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3rd. It's a day designated by the United Nations to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, raise awareness about the importance of a free and independent media, and pay tribute to journalists around the world who risk their lives to report the news.

World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the crucial role that journalists play in promoting transparency, accountability, and democracy. It highlights the importance of protecting press freedom as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democratic societies.

On World Press Freedom Day, various events, conferences, and seminars are organized worldwide to discuss press freedom issues, advocate for the safety of journalists, and address challenges facing the media industry, such as censorship, harassment, and threats to journalists' safety.

The day also provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of journalists in uncovering truth, exposing corruption, and holding those in power accountable. It's a time to reaffirm the commitment to defending press freedom and ensuring that journalists can work without fear of reprisal or persecution.

World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder that a free and independent press is essential for democracy, human rights, and the advancement of societies around the world.

03 May - Tukoji Rao II birth anniversary

Tukoji Rao II (03 May 1815 – 17 June 1886) was the Maharaja of Indore from 1839 to 1843. He belonged to the Holkar dynasty, which ruled the state of Indore in central India. Tukojirao II succeeded his father, Maharaja Malhar Rao II, upon his death in 1839.

During his brief reign, Tukojirao II faced political instability and challenges to his rule. The Holkar dynasty was caught in the turbulence of the early 19th century, marked by conflicts with neighboring states and the increasing influence of the British East India Company in the region.

Tukojirao II's reign came to an end in 1843 when he was deposed by his cousin, Maharaja Marthand Rao Holkar, who took control of the state of Indore. Tukojirao II lived in exile until his death in 1886.

The period of Tukojirao II's rule was characterized by political upheaval and uncertainty for the Holkar dynasty and the state of Indore. His legacy is often overshadowed by the turbulent events of his time.

03 May - Stamp issued on Shankar–Jaikishan in 2013

 

A commemorative postage stamp  which was a part of the series 100 Years of Indian Cinema on Shankar and Jaikishan, an Indian Hindi music composer duo of Bollywood film industry Issued by India Issued on May 3, 2013

Shankar–Jaikishan (also known as S-J), were an Indian composer duo of the Hindi film industry, working together from 1949 to 1971. They are widely considered to be one of the greatest ever music composers of the Hindi film industry. After Jaikishan’s death in 1971, Shankar continued as a music director alone until his own death in 1987. During this solo career, he was still credited as 'Shankar–Jaikishan'.

Shankar–Jaikishan, along with other artists, composed "everlasting" and "immortal melodies" in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. Their best work was noted for being "raga-based and having both lilt and sonority

07 May - World Asthma Day

 

World Asthma Day (WAD) is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, (GINA) (www.ginasthma.org), a World Health Organization collaborative organization founded in 1993.  WAD is held each May to raise awareness of Asthma worldwide.

GINA has chosen “ Asthma care for All ” as the theme for the 2023 World Asthma Day.

The majority of the burden of asthma morbidity and mortality occurs in low and middle income countries. GINA strives to reduce this burden by encouraging health care leaders to ensure availability of and access to effective, quality-assured medications. The Asthma care for All message promotes the development and implementation of effective asthma management programs in all resource countries.

GINA aims to increase and strengthen the link with local and national guideline makers.   GINA also commits to ensure specific recommendations for environmental sustainability by sharing concerns about planetary health with a high priority on patient safety.  GINA is working to improve the lives of people with asthma globally, and multi-faceted collaboration for improvement in all aspects of asthma care, for patients and for the environment is vital.

World Asthma Day is held on the first Tuesday in May. Each year GINA chooses a theme and coordinates preparation and distribution of World Asthma Day materials and resources. GINA also maintains the World Asthma Day Internet Headquarters, where materials and resources are posted for downloading and a complete listing of activities around the world is constantly updated.

Future World Asthma Days:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Tuesday, May 4, 2027

The first World Asthma Day, in 1998, was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain. Participation has increased with each World Asthma Day held since then, and the day has become one of the world’s most important asthma awareness and education events.

02 May - John Carew Eccles death anniversary

 

John Carew Eccles (27 January 1903 – 2 May 1997) was an Australian neurophysiologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of the synapse and the functioning of the nervous system. He won the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the synapse.

His research focused on the synapse, the tiny gap between two nerve cells where chemical signals are transmitted. He was able to show that the synapse was not a passive structure but an active one that could amplify or inhibit signals. Eccles’ work revolutionized the field of neuroscience and laid the groundwork for much of the research that followed. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1963, along with Andrew Huxley and Alan Hodgkin, for their work on the ionic mechanisms of nerve cells.

He died on 2 May 1997, in Switzerland.

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.