03 May - V.K. Krishna Menon birth anniversary

 

Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon, commonly known as V.K. Krishna Menon, was a prominent Indian diplomat, politician, and statesman. He was born on 03 May 1896, in Calicut, British India (now Kozhikode, Kerala), and passed away on 06 October 1974.

Krishna Menon played a significant role in India's struggle for independence and later in shaping the country's foreign policy and international relations. He was a close associate of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, and served as India's first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1947 to 1952.

One of Krishna Menon's most notable contributions was his role as India's representative to the United Nations. He served as India's Permanent Representative to the UN from 1952 to 1962 and played a key role in advocating for decolonization, anti-imperialism, and the rights of newly independent nations. He is remembered for his impassioned speeches and advocacy on various global issues, including the Kashmir dispute and nuclear disarmament.

Krishna Menon's political career in India was marked by his association with the Indian National Congress party and his tenure as India's Defense Minister from 1957 to 1962. He was also a Member of Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the Indian government.

While Krishna Menon was a polarizing figure in Indian politics, he left a lasting impact on India's foreign policy and diplomatic relations. He is remembered as a passionate advocate for India's interests on the world stage and as one of the key architects of India's foreign policy in the early years of independence.

03 May - Bhalji Pendharkar birth anniversary

 

Bhalji Pendharkar was a pioneering figure in the Indian film industry, particularly in the Marathi film industry. He was born on 03 May 1897, in Maharashtra, India, and passed away on 28 November 1994. Pendharkar is remembered as a filmmaker, director, producer, and screenwriter who made significant contributions to Marathi and Hindi cinema.

Pendharkar began his career in the silent film era and later transitioned into talking films. He directed and produced several successful Marathi films, including classics like "Raja Harishchandra" (1932), which is considered one of the earliest Marathi talkies. Pendharkar was known for his devotion to Indian mythology and historical subjects, and many of his films were based on these themes.

Apart from filmmaking, Pendharkar was also involved in theater and journalism. He founded the Maharashtra Film Company and was instrumental in establishing the Prabhat Film Company, one of the pioneering film production companies in India.

Throughout his career, Pendharkar received several accolades and honors for his contributions to Indian cinema. He played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the Marathi film industry and is remembered as a visionary filmmaker who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

03 May - Dalida death anniversary

 

Dalida (17 January 1933 – 3 May 1987), also known as Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, was an Italian-French singer and actress. She sang in eleven languages and sold millions of records internationally. Her best-known songs are “Bambino”, “Gondolier”, “Les enfants du Pirée”, “Le temps des fleurs”, “Darla dirladada”, “J’attendrai”, and “Paroles, paroles” featuring spoken word by Alain Delon.

She was born on 17 January 1933 in in Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt. She began her career in the 1950s as a singer in France. She had a successful career spanning several decades and recorded many hits in multiple languages, including French, Italian, German, Arabic, and English. She sold over 170 million records worldwide and received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. Dalida was known for her powerful voice and emotive performances. She also acted in several films, including “La Fille de l’Eau” (1956) and “La vie continue” (1958). In 1987, Dalida committed suicide on  03 May 1987 the age of 54 due to personal issues. Despite her tragic death, her legacy continues to live on through her music and cultural impact.

03 May - Nargis Dutt death anniversary

 

Nargis Dutt, born Fatima Rashid, was a legendary Indian actress who achieved iconic status in the Hindi film industry. She was born on 01 June 1929, in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata, India), and passed away on 03 May 1981.

Nargis made her acting debut as a child artist in the 1935 film "Talashe Haq" and later appeared in several films in the 1940s before gaining widespread recognition for her role in "Barsaat" (1949). She went on to star in numerous successful films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Awara" (1951), "Shree 420" (1955), "Mother India" (1957), and "Raat Aur Din" (1967), for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

One of Nargis's most acclaimed performances came in the film "Mother India," where she portrayed the role of Radha, a resilient and courageous village woman. The film is considered a landmark in Indian cinema and earned Nargis international recognition, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Off-screen, Nargis was known for her philanthropic work and social activism. She was married to actor Sunil Dutt, and together they had three children, including actor Sanjay Dutt and politician Priya Dutt.

Nargis Dutt's legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers in India and beyond. She remains an enduring icon of Indian cinema, remembered for her talent, grace, and contributions to the arts and society.

03 May - University of Athens established in 1837

 

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, usually referred to simply as the University of Athens (UoA), is a public university in Athens, Greece.

It has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837 and is the oldest higher education institution of the modern Greek state and the first contemporary university in both the Balkan Peninsula and the Eastern Mediterranean.Today it is one of the largest universities by enrollment in Europe, with over 69,000 registered students.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is an integral part of the modern Greek academic and intellectual tradition.

 

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.