19 May - Mohini Ekadashi

 

Mohini Ekadashi is a significant Hindu observance that falls on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Vaishakha, according to the Hindu calendar. This usually corresponds to April or May in the Gregorian calendar. Mohini Ekadashi is particularly noted for its association with the avatar of Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini, the enchanting female form.

Significance of Mohini Ekadashi

1. Spiritual Benefits: Observing Mohini Ekadashi is believed to cleanse devotees of their sins and provide them with spiritual merit. It is said to help in overcoming past misdeeds and leading a righteous life.

2. Devotional Practices: On this day, devotees fast and engage in prayers, chanting, and reading scriptures related to Lord Vishnu. The fast is considered highly meritorious and is believed to bring spiritual benefits and blessings from Lord Vishnu.

3. Mythological Importance: The significance of Mohini Ekadashi is rooted in the legend of Lord Vishnu taking the form of Mohini to distribute the nectar of immortality (amrita) among the gods and to save them from the demons. This story highlights the divine play of Lord Vishnu in protecting the universe.

Rituals and Observances

• Fasting: Devotees undertake a strict fast, refraining from grains, beans, and certain other foods. Some may observe a waterless fast, while others may consume fruits and milk. The fast typically begins from sunrise on Ekadashi and ends after sunrise the next day (Dwadashi).

• Prayer and Worship: Devotees perform special prayers and rituals dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Temples often hold special services and recitations of Vishnu-related texts like the Vishnu Sahasranama (a list of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu).

• Reading Scriptures: Reading or listening to stories from the Bhagavad Gita and other holy texts is common. Devotees often recount the legend of Mohini to remember the divine intervention of Lord Vishnu.

• Charity and Acts of Kindness: Many people engage in charitable activities and offer food, clothes, and other essentials to the needy as part of their devotion.

Observing Mohini Ekadashi

1. Preparation: Before Ekadashi, devotees often prepare by cleaning their homes and setting up altars for worship. They may also take a purification bath early in the morning.

2. Fasting and Worship: On the day of Mohini Ekadashi, devotees abstain from certain foods and engage in day-long prayers and meditation. They visit temples, participate in devotional singing (bhajans), and meditate on Lord Vishnu’s virtues and deeds.

3. Breaking the Fast: The fast is broken on the following day (Dwadashi) after performing rituals and offering food to Lord Vishnu. Devotees break their fast with sattvic food, which is pure and balanced according to Ayurvedic principles.

Conclusion

Mohini Ekadashi is a deeply spiritual day that offers devotees an opportunity to purify their minds and bodies through fasting, prayer, and reflection. Observing this Ekadashi is believed to bring blessings from Lord Vishnu and help devotees progress on their spiritual journeys. Through fasting, worship, and acts of kindness, devotees honor the divine intervention of Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini, reaffirming their faith and dedication.

 

19 May - Girish Karnad birth anniversary

 

Girish Karnad was an acclaimed Indian playwright, actor, and director, known for his significant contributions to Indian theatre and cinema. He was born on 19 May 1938 in Matheran, Maharashtra, and he passed away on 10 June 2019. Karnad wrote his plays primarily in Kannada, and his works often explored themes of mythology and history, bringing them into contemporary relevance.

Karnad's work in cinema was equally significant, both as an actor and director. He appeared in and directed numerous films in Kannada, Hindi, and other Indian languages.

Throughout his career, Karnad received numerous accolades, including the Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan, recognizing his outstanding contribution to literature and the arts. His legacy continues to influence and inspire the realms of theatre, film, and literature in India and beyond.

19 May - Max Ferdinand Perutz birth anniversary

Max Ferdinand Perutz, born on 19 May 1914, was an Austrian-born British molecular biologist, who shared the 1962 *Nobel Prize* for Chemistry with John Kendrew, for their studies of the structures of _haemoglobin and myoglobin._ He went on to win the _Royal Medal_ of the Royal Society in 1971 and the _Copley Medal_ in 1979.

19 May - Malcolm X birth anniversary

 

Malcolm X, born on 19 May 1925, was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a popular figure during the civil rights movement.

19 May - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk birth anniversary

 

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk born on 19 May 1881, was a Turkish field marshal, revolutionary statesman, author, and founder of the Republic of Turkey, serving as its first President from 1923 until his death in 1938.

19 May - Jean-Pierre Christin developed centigrade temperature scale

 

On 19 May 1743, Jean-Pierre Christin developed the centigrade temperature scale.

*Jean-Pierre Christin,* was a French physicist, mathematician, astronomer and musician. His proposal in 1743 to reverse the Celsius thermometer scale (from water boiling at 0 degrees and ice melting at 100 degrees, to where zero represented the freezing point of water and 100 represented the boiling point of water) was widely accepted and is still in use today.

His *thermometer* was known in France before the Revolution as the thermometer of Lyon. One of these thermometers was kept at the Science Museum in London.

*Celsius*

The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is a temperature scale used by the International System of Units (SI). As an SI derived unit, it is used by all countries except the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands and Liberia. It is named after the Swedish astronomer *Anders Celsius,* who developed a similar temperature scale. The degree Celsius (symbol: °C) can refer to a specific temperature on the Celsius scale or a unit to indicate a difference between two temperatures or an uncertainty. Before being renamed to honor Anders Celsius in 1948, the unit was called centigrade, from the Latin centum, which means 100, and gradus, which means steps.

18 May - Jackie Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier.

 

On May 18, 1953, Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier. This remarkable achievement was a significant milestone in aviation history and highlighted Cochran's pioneering spirit and exceptional skill as an aviator.

Key Points about Jackie Cochran and Her Achievement:

1. Background:

   • Full Name: Jacqueline Cochran (born Bessie Lee Pittman)
   • Birth Date: May 11, 1906
   • Profession: Aviator, businesswoman, and one of the most prominent female pilots in aviation history.

2. Aviation Career:

   • Cochran was one of the most accomplished pilots of her time, setting numerous records for speed, altitude, and distance.
   • She was a key figure in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II, where she trained and led female pilots who flew non-combat missions to free up male pilots for combat roles.

3. Breaking the Sound Barrier:

   • Date: May 18, 1953
   • Aircraft: North American F-86 Sabre, a jet aircraft renowned for its performance during the Korean War.
   • Location: Cochran achieved this feat while flying at Rogers Dry Lake in California.
   • Speed: She exceeded the speed of sound (Mach 1), which is approximately 767 miles per hour (1,235 kilometers per hour) at sea level.

4. Significance:

   • Cochran's accomplishment made her the first woman to break the sound barrier, placing her among the ranks of aviation legends.
   • This achievement not only demonstrated her exceptional piloting skills but also paved the way for future generations of female aviators.
   • It underscored the capabilities of women in fields traditionally dominated by men, contributing to the broader movement for gender equality in the mid-20th century.

5. Legacy:

   • Cochran continued to break numerous aviation records throughout her career, becoming one of the most decorated pilots in history.
   • She received numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, and was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1971.
   • Her contributions to aviation and her role in advancing opportunities for women in the field are remembered as an enduring legacy.

Jackie Cochran's breaking of the sound barrier on May 18, 1953, remains a landmark achievement in aviation history, symbolizing the boundless possibilities of human endeavor and the ongoing pursuit of excellence in flight.

 

18 May - Shree Pundalik, the first Indian film, was released in 1912

 

Shree Pundalik, considered the first Indian film, was released on May 18, 1912. This silent film, directed by Dadasaheb Torne, is a significant milestone in Indian cinema history. However, its status as the first Indian film is often debated due to the technical aspects of its production and the circumstances surrounding its release.

Key Points about Shree Pundalik:

1. Historical Context: Shree Pundalik was produced during a time when the Indian subcontinent was under British colonial rule, and the Indian film industry was in its nascent stages.

2. Production Details:

   • Director: Dadasaheb Torne
   • Cinematography: Johnson
   • Format: Silent film
   • Length: Approximately 22 minutes

3. Content: The film is based on the story of a revered saint, Pundalik, from Maharashtra. It depicted the life and devotion of Saint Pundalik to Lord Vithoba, a deity worshipped primarily in the state of Maharashtra.

4. Controversy:

   • Technical Aspects: The film was shot by a British cameraman, Johnson, and the film reels were processed in London. This involvement of foreign personnel and technology raises questions about its status as a completely indigenous production.
   • Legal Recognition: Some film historians and the Government of India recognize Raja Harishchandra, released in 1913 by Dadasaheb Phalke, as the first fully indigenous Indian feature film due to its wholly Indian crew and processing within India.

5. Legacy: Despite the controversies, Shree Pundalik holds an important place in Indian cinema history as it marks the beginning of film production in India. It paved the way for future filmmakers and the eventual establishment of Bollywood, one of the largest film industries in the world.

Shree Pundalik’s release marks an important cultural event, symbolizing the early efforts and aspirations of Indian filmmakers to establish a unique cinematic identity.

 

18 May - Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day (Sri Lankan Tamils)

 

Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day is observed by Sri Lankan Tamils on May 18th each year. It commemorates the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, particularly focusing on the events that occurred in Mullivaikkal, a village in the northern part of Sri Lanka.

For many Tamil Sri Lankans, Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day serves as a solemn occasion to remember and honor the tens of thousands of civilians who lost their lives during the final stages of the civil war, particularly during the government's military offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The conflict resulted in significant civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and immense suffering for the Tamil community.

On Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, ceremonies, vigils, and events are held by Tamil communities worldwide to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and to express solidarity with survivors and their families. It's also a time for reflection on the impact of the civil war, the quest for justice and accountability, and the ongoing efforts for reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka.

 

18 May - Pope John Paul II death anniversary

 

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła on 18 May 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his death on 02 April 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in history and was widely influential during his papacy.

Elected as the 264th pope of the Catholic Church on October 16, 1978, Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, as well as the first pope from Poland. His papacy was characterized by his commitment to human rights, social justice, and interfaith dialogue.

Throughout his pontificate, Pope John Paul II traveled extensively, visiting over 129 countries during his tenure. He played a significant role in international affairs, advocating for peace and reconciliation, particularly during times of conflict and political upheaval.

Pope John Paul II was also known for his strong stance against communism, which contributed to the eventual collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. His support for Solidarity, the Polish trade union movement, played a crucial role in Poland's transition to democracy.

In addition to his diplomatic efforts, Pope John Paul II was a prolific writer and theologian, publishing numerous encyclicals, apostolic exhortations, and books on a wide range of topics, including morality, spirituality, and the role of the Catholic Church in the modern world.

Pope John Paul II's charisma, personal warmth, and commitment to serving others endeared him to millions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, and is remembered as one of the most beloved and influential figures in modern Catholic history.