20 May - Bipin Chandra Pal death anniversary

 

Bipin Chandra Pal ( 07 November 1858 – 20 May 1932), an Indian revolutionary, teacher, journalist, and writer. He is one of the great personalities who played a major role in laying the foundation of India’s independence movement. He was part of the famous Lal-Bal-Pal (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Vipin Chandra Pal) trio. This trio shook the cradles of English rule with its sharp attack. Apart from being a nationalist leader. He is also considered the father of revolutionary ideas in India. He died on 20 May 1932 at the age of 73 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), British India.

20 May - Piru Singh Shekhawat birth anniversary

 

Piru Singh Shekhawat (20 May 1918 – 18 July 1948), an Indian Army non-commissioned officer, awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, serving with the Indian Army’s 6th Rajputana Rifles. Piru Singh was born on 20 May 1918 in Beri, Rajputana, British India.

20 May - Sumitranandan Pant birth anniversary

 

Sumitranandan Pant (20 May 1900 – 28 December 1977), an Indian poet. The beautiful and lively depiction of nature is rare as found in Pantji’s poem. He was a beautiful poet of nature and was well versed in drawing a lively, beautiful, and captivating picture. The composition of national love is also found abundantly in the poetry of Pant Ji. He was a serious thinker, an excellent poet, and a man of innately skilled craftsman of humanity. Pant received the ‘Gyan Peeth Award’ for his work ‘Chidambra‘. His other compositions are the following – Veena, Granthi, Pallava, Pallvini, Atima, Gunjan, Yuganta, Yugavani Gramya, Swarn Kiran, Swarna Dhuli ‘,’ Uttara ‘,’ Shilpi ‘ and Rashmibandh. Pant became the first Hindi poet to receive the Jnanpith Award in 1969 for a collection of his most famous poems titled Chidambara. He also got Padma Bhushan in 1961 by the Indian Government. He was born on 20 May 1900 in Kausani, North-Western Provinces, British India.

19 May - Hazari Prasad Dwivedi death anniversary

 

Hazari Prasad Dwivedi (1907-1979) was a renowned Hindi writer, critic, and scholar from India. He played a significant role in the development of modern Hindi literature and is considered one of the pioneers of the Hindi literary movement called "Nayi Kahani" (New Story). Dwivedi's works were characterized by their realistic portrayal of social issues and his mastery of the Hindi language.

 Hazari Prasad Dwivedi was also an influential literary critic and commentator. He analyzed and reviewed the works of other writers, helping shape the Hindi literary landscape. His critical works, such as "Sanskriti ke Chaar Adhyay" (Four Chapters of Culture), offer insightful perspectives on literature, culture, and society.

For his immense contribution to Hindi literature, Dwivedi received several accolades and honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973 for his novel "Saraswatichandra." He was also a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 1973.

Hazari Prasad Dwivedi passed away on May 19, 1979, leaving behind a rich literary legacy. His writings continue to be celebrated for their literary merit, social consciousness, and significant influence on Hindi literature. Dwivedi's contributions have helped shape the modern Hindi literary movement and have inspired subsequent generations of writers and readers.

 

19 May - Hồ Chí Minh birth anniversary

 

Hồ Chí Minh, born Nguyễn Sinh Cung (1890-1969), was a Vietnamese revolutionary leader and statesman. He played a crucial role in the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) in 1945 and served as its President from 1945 until his death in 1969.

Hồ Chí Minh was born in Nghệ An Province, Vietnam, which was then part of French Indochina. He later adopted the name Hồ Chí Minh, which means "He Who Enlightens." He traveled extensively and lived in various countries, including France, the United States, and China, where he became influenced by socialist and nationalist ideas.

Hồ Chí Minh was a key figure in the struggle for Vietnamese independence from French colonial rule. He co-founded the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930 and led the Viet Minh, a broad-based nationalist and communist organization, during the First Indochina War against French forces. The Viet Minh successfully fought for independence, leading to the Geneva Accords in 1954, which temporarily divided Vietnam into the communist-led North and the anti-communist South.

Following the division of Vietnam, Hồ Chí Minh focused on building a socialist state in North Vietnam and reunifying the country under communist rule. He led the North Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War, which escalated with the involvement of the United States. Hồ Chí Minh's leadership and his ability to rally the Vietnamese people were instrumental in the Vietnamese resistance against the American military.

Hồ Chí Minh's ideology and leadership style were shaped by a combination of communism, nationalism, and guerrilla warfare tactics. He emphasized self-reliance, simplicity, and a dedication to the welfare of the Vietnamese people. His leadership and determination in the face of adversity made him a revered figure in Vietnam and an inspiration to anti-colonial movements around the world.

Hồ Chí Minh passed away on September 2, 1969, but his legacy as a nationalist and communist leader remains influential in Vietnam's history. He is widely regarded as the father of modern Vietnam and is still highly revered by the Vietnamese people. His mausoleum in Hanoi, where his embalmed body is preserved, serves as a popular site of pilgrimage and a symbol of Vietnamese independence and unity.

 

19 May - Suez Canal closed for Israeli ships

 

On 19 May 1950, Egypt announced that the Suez Canal is closed to Israeli ships and commerce.

The Suez Canal, is a sea-level waterway in _Egypt,_ connecting the _Mediterranean Sea_ to the _Red Sea_ through the _Isthmus of Suez._ Constructed by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869, it was officially opened on 17 November 1869. The canal offers watercraft a more direct route between the _North Atlantic_ and _northern Indian oceans_ via the _Mediterranean_ and _Red seas,_ thus avoiding the _South Atlantic_ and _southern Indian Oceans_ and thereby reducing the journey distance.

19 May - Neelam Sanjiva Reddy birth anniversary

 

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, also known as N. Sanjiva Reddy, was an Indian politician who served as the sixth President of India. He was born on May 19, 1913, in Illur village, present-day Andhra Pradesh, India, and passed away on June 1, 1996, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Reddy had an extensive political career spanning several decades. He was associated with the Indian National Congress (INC) and actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle against British rule. Reddy held various positions in the Congress party and made significant contributions to the organization's growth and development.

In 1960, Reddy was elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, and he served in that position until 1967. He was known for his impartiality and efficient handling of parliamentary affairs during his tenure.

In 1977, Reddy became the first non-Congress President of India. He was elected to the presidency as a candidate of the Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties formed to challenge the dominance of the Congress party. Reddy served as the President of India from 1977 to 1982, during which he worked to uphold the principles of democracy and constitutional governance.

As President, Reddy was known for his simplicity, humility, and commitment to public service. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of the office of the President.

After his presidency, Reddy retired from active politics and lived a quiet life. He was honored with several awards and recognition for his contributions to the nation. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy remains a respected figure in Indian politics, known for his integrity, statesmanship, and dedication to democratic values

19 May - C. V. Pillai born in 1858

Cannankara Velayudhan Raman Pillai (19 May 1858 – 21 March 1922), also known as C. V., was one of the major Indian novelists and playwrights and a pioneering playwright and novelist of Malayalam literature. He was known for his historical novels such as Marthandavarma, Dharmaraja and Ramaraja Bahadur; the last mentioned considered by many as one of the greatest novels written in Malayalam.

19 May - Nana Sahib birth anniversary

 

Nana Sahib, whose original name was Dhondu Pant, was a prominent figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was born on 19 May 1824, in the city of Bithoor, near Kanpur in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. He was the adopted son of the last Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha Empire, Baji Rao II.

Nana Sahib's adoption by Baji Rao II meant that he had a claim to the Peshwa throne, which was abolished after the British annexation of the Maratha territories in 1818. However, the British denied Nana Sahib's pension and allowances, which led to growing resentment and grievances against British rule.

During the rebellion in 1857, Nana Sahib emerged as a leader and played a significant role in the uprising in the region of Kanpur. He rallied Indian soldiers (sepoys) and civilians against the British, and together with other rebel leaders, orchestrated the capture of the British garrison in Kanpur.

After the capture of Kanpur, Nana Sahib declared himself the Peshwa and sought to establish a Maratha empire. However, the rebellion faced eventual defeat, and the British forces recaptured Kanpur. Nana Sahib's forces were forced to retreat, and the British launched a counteroffensive.

The fate of Nana Sahib after the rebellion remains unclear. It is believed that he fled from Kanpur, possibly to Nepal or the princely states, and his ultimate fate is unknown. There are various theories about what happened to him, including the possibility that he died in obscurity or lived in exile. In October 1860, the British resident at Kathmundu was informed that the Nana had passed away on the 24 September 1860 due to malaria.

Nana Sahib's role in the rebellion has made him a significant figure in Indian history. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule and is often depicted in literature, films, and popular culture related to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

 

19 May - Jamsetji Tata death anniversary

 

Jamsetji Tata was an Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and the founder of the Tata Group, one of India's largest and most respected business conglomerates. He was born on March 3, 1839, in Navsari, Gujarat, India, and passed away on May 19, 1904, in Bad Nauheim, Germany.

Jamsetji Tata was a visionary entrepreneur who played a crucial role in the industrial development of India. He believed in the power of industrialization to uplift the country and its people. In 1868, he founded Tata Sons, the precursor to the Tata Group, with the aim of promoting trade and manufacturing enterprises in India.

Under Jamsetji Tata's leadership, the Tata Group grew to become a diversified business conglomerate with interests in steel, textiles, energy, automobiles, telecommunications, and various other sectors. Some of the notable companies established by Jamsetji Tata include Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Apart from his business achievements, Jamsetji Tata was also known for his philanthropic endeavors. He believed in giving back to society and worked towards the betterment of the people of India. He founded several institutions, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the Indian Institute of Science, and the Tata Memorial Hospital, which became pioneers in their respective fields.

Jamsetji Tata's contributions to industrialization and philanthropy laid the foundation for the Tata Group's success and its reputation as a socially responsible business. His vision and values continue to inspire the Tata Group's activities, which remain committed to sustainable development and making a positive impact on society.

Jamsetji Tata's legacy extends beyond business and philanthropy. He is widely regarded as one of India's greatest industrialists and a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping modern India's industrial landscape. His ideals of ethical business practices, social responsibility, and nation-building continue to be upheld by the Tata Group even today.