12 July - Google is celebrating India’s much cherished street food “Pani Puri” with a doodle

 

Google is celebrating India’s much cherished street food “Pani Puri” with a doodle. It could be surprising for many to see Google Doodle coming up with an inactive game to celebrate one of India’s most popular street foods on July 12.

The reason is even more interesting.On this day in 2015, a restaurant in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, created history by finding a mention on the Golden Book of World Records for serving 51 varieties of Pani Puri.

 

Pani Puri, also known as Golgappa, Puchka, or Pani Batasha, is a popular street food snack in India, particularly in the northern and western regions. It consists of small, hollow, crispy puris (deep-fried dough balls) that are filled with a mixture of spicy, tangy water (pani), mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and various chutneys.

The preparation and serving of Pani Puri involve several steps. First, the puris are carefully cracked open on top to create a small hole. Then, a spoonful of mashed potato and chickpea mixture, known as the filling, is added to each puri. This is followed by a drizzle of sweet tamarind chutney, tangy green chutney, and spicy mint-coriander water (pani). Finally, the filled puris are eaten in one bite, delivering a burst of flavors and textures.

Pani Puri is loved for its combination of sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy flavors. It is a popular street food snack that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The dish is known for its refreshing and appetizing taste, making it a go-to option for hot summer days or as a delightful snack any time of the year.

 

 

12 July - Stanislav Leszczynski was made king of Poland

 

He was elected as the king by a faction of the Polish nobility on 12 July 1704 during the Great Northern War. At that time, Poland was facing political instability and external threats, including the invasion of Charles XII of Sweden. Leszczyński's election as king was partly a response to dissatisfaction with the ruling monarch, Augustus II the Strong.

During his first reign, Leszczyński implemented various reforms aimed at strengthening the Polish state and improving the lives of its citizens. However, his rule was short-lived, as he was overthrown by Augustus II in 1709 after the Swedish defeat at the Battle of Poltava. Augustus II regained the Polish throne, and Leszczyński was forced into exile.

Nevertheless, Leszczyński's political career was not over. He returned to Poland in 1733 during the War of the Polish Succession. With the support of France and his son-in-law, Louis XV, he was once again elected as king of Poland. However, this second reign also ended abruptly in 1736 when Leszczyński was pressured to abdicate due to the intervention of foreign powers.

Despite the relatively short durations of his reigns, Stanisław I Leszczyński is remembered as a notable figure in Polish history. His reigns symbolized the aspirations of reform-minded factions within the Polish nobility, and his legacy as an enlightened ruler and patron of the arts and sciences left a lasting impact on Polish culture.

 

12 July - Rajendra Kumar death anniversary

 

Rajendra Kumar (20 July 1927 – 12 July 1999) was an Indian actor who starred in Bollywood films. Starting his career in 1949, he appeared in more than 80 films in a career spanning over four decades. He was popularly known as the 'Jubilee Kumar' during the 1960s when he starred in several commercially successful films.

He also produced several films starring his son Kumar Gaurav. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1970. Known to refuse taking any medication, he died at the age of 71 on 12 July 1999, just a day after his son's 43rd birthday, and just 8 days before his 72nd birthday. He died of cardiac arrest in his sleep.

12 July - The Rolling Stones gave their first public performance at the Marquee Club, London 1962

 

The Rolling Stones gave their first public performance at the Marquee Club in London on July 12, 1962. This marked the beginning of their journey as one of the most influential and enduring rock bands in history.

At the time, the Rolling Stones consisted of Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (guitar), Ian Stewart (piano), Dick Taylor (bass), and Mick Avory (drums). Their performance at the Marquee Club was a significant milestone, as it was their first opportunity to showcase their music and stage presence to a live audience.

The Rolling Stones quickly gained attention and popularity in the emerging British rock scene. Their energetic live performances and blues-infused rock 'n' roll sound set them apart from other bands of the time. They went on to achieve worldwide success with hits like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Paint It Black," "Sympathy for the Devil," and many more.

Over the years, the Rolling Stones have become cultural icons, known for their electrifying performances, timeless music, and rebellious image. Their influence on rock music and popular culture cannot be overstated, and they continue to tour and perform to this day, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards remaining as core members of the band.

 

12 July - Pablo Neruda birth anniversary

 

Pablo Neruda (12 July 1904 – 23 September 1973) was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician. In 1971, Pablo Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

He was born on 12 July 1904, in Parral, Chile. He pursued his education at the University of Chile, where he studied French and pedagogy. It was during his time at the university that his poetic talent flourished. He became associated with a group of prominent Chilean writers known as the Generation of ’27, who sought to bring innovation and vitality to Chilean literature.

Neruda’s early poetry showcased his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and the beauty of the natural world. His collection “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair,” published in 1924, catapulted him to literary prominence. The poems explored themes of love, desire, and melancholy, resonating with readers around the world.

One of Neruda’s most notable achievements was his epic work “Canto General” (General Song), published in 1950. This poetic masterpiece captured the history, struggles, and spirit of Latin America, intertwining political themes with awe-inspiring descriptions of the continent’s landscapes and people.

Throughout his career, Pablo Neruda wrote prolifically, producing a vast body of work that delved into a range of subjects, from politics and social justice to nature and love. His poetry evolved in style and depth, showcasing his mastery of metaphor, vivid imagery, and evocative language.

He also served as a diplomat and held various diplomatic posts, including serving as a senator for the Chilean Communist Party.

He died on 23 September 1973, in Santiago, Chile.

12 July - International Malala Day

 

International Malala Day is observed on July 12th each year to honor the activism and achievements of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani education advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The day serves to highlight the importance of education, especially for girls, and to promote worldwide access to quality education.

Malala Yousafzai gained international recognition for her advocacy for girls' education in Pakistan's Swat Valley, where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school. In 2012, at the age of 15, she was targeted by the Taliban and shot in the head while returning home from school. However, she survived the attack and became a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

Following the attack, Malala's activism gained even more prominence as she continued to advocate for girls' rights to education on a global scale. She co-authored the memoir "I Am Malala," became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17, and established the Malala Fund, an organization dedicated to promoting education for all children worldwide.

International Malala Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the barriers to education faced by millions of children, particularly girls, around the world. It encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action and support initiatives that promote universal access to quality education.

On this day, various events and activities are organized globally to celebrate Malala's contributions and advocate for the right to education. Schools, organizations, and individuals often hold discussions, seminars, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns centered around education and gender equality.

International Malala Day serves as a reminder that education is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for social change. It underscores the importance of empowering girls and ensuring their access to education, enabling them to become agents of progress and positive transformation in their communities and beyond.

12 July - Panshet floods: A day that changed Pune in 1961

Image of Damodhar Dam for reference

This fateful day will remain forever etched in Pune’s history. A day that changed the history and geography of this great city. Call it a bad coincidence – but two events that happened almost exactly 200 years apart have played a critical role in Pune’s history – to the extent that they have been added to the local Marathi lexicon.  The first one was the 3rd Battle of Panipat in 1761 and the second one: the Panshet flood. “पानिपत झालं” (Panipat zala) and “पानशेत झालं” (Panshet zala) are commonly used terms today to refer to a big disaster.

Half a century ago, the new under-construction Panshet dam had started developing some problems, even before it was complete. Against some recommendations, the dam was being filled up during the 1961 monsoon season. Cracks started developing and yet there was lot of debate on whether the dam was in real imminent danger. 

A valiant last-ditch effort by the Army Jawans managed to delay the inevitable by a few hours. These few hours helped a lot. If not for this great effort, where thousands of sand bags were deployed, the dam would have burst in the middle of the night, creating havoc for the sleeping residents of Pune. The few hours delay meant that the burst happened early morning and the wall of flood waters reached Pune later in the morning. The deluge of flood waters of Panshet also broke the smaller Khadakwasla dam, further downstream. An estimated 1,000 people died from the resulting flood

Panshet Dam, also called Tanajisagar Dam, is a dam on the Ambi river about 50 km (31 mi) southwest of the city of Pune in western India. The dam was constructed in late 1950s for irrigation and, along with three other dams nearby, Varasgaon, Temghar and Khadakwasla, it supplies drinking water to Pune.

11 July - Alexander Prokhorov birth anniversary

 

Alexander Prokhorov, full name Alexander Mikhailovich Prokhorov, was a prominent Russian physicist and Nobel laureate. He was born on 11 July 1916, in Atherton, Australia, to Russian parents who were on a temporary visit to Australia at the time.

Prokhorov is best known for his contributions to the field of quantum electronics and laser technology. He played a pivotal role in the development of the maser (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) and later contributed to the development of lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation).

In 1952, while working at the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow, Prokhorov and his colleagues Nikolay Basov and Charles Townes independently proposed the principle of the maser. Their work laid the foundation for the development of devices that could produce and amplify coherent microwaves. For their groundbreaking research, Prokhorov, Basov, and Townes were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964.

Prokhorov continued his research on lasers and contributed to advancements in laser technology. He worked on the development of solid-state lasers and made significant contributions to the understanding of laser physics and the application of lasers in various fields.

In addition to his scientific achievements, Prokhorov was actively involved in scientific and educational institutions. He held various academic and administrative positions, including serving as the director of the General Physics Institute in Moscow. He was also a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science.

Alexander Prokhorov passed away on 08 January 2002, in Moscow, Russia. His work in quantum electronics and laser technology had a profound impact on the field of physics and paved the way for numerous technological advancements in various industries. His contributions continue to be celebrated and recognized as significant milestones in the history of science.

11 July - Charlotte Cooper became the first-ever female Olympic champion in tennis

 

Charlotte Cooper, a British tennis player, won the tennis singles event on July 11th in two years. Here are two notable instances:

1. July 11, 1895: Charlotte Cooper became the first-ever female Olympic champion in tennis. She won the women's singles event at the 1896 Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece, defeating Hélène Prévost of France in the final.

2. July 11, 1901: Charlotte Cooper won her fifth and final Wimbledon title on this day. She emerged victorious in the women's singles event at the Wimbledon Championships, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. She defeated Blanche Bingley Hillyard in the final, securing her place in history as the first female five-time Wimbledon champion.

Charlotte Cooper's accomplishments as a tennis player were notable, particularly during a time when women's tennis was still developing as a sport. She left a lasting legacy and contributed to the growth and recognition of women's tennis through her achievements on the court.

 

11 July - The Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302

 

The Battle of the Golden Spurs, also known as the Battle of Courtrai, took place on July 11, 1302, near the town of Kortrijk (Courtrai) in present-day Belgium. It was a significant event in the conflict between the forces of the County of Flanders and the Kingdom of France during the Hundred Years' War.

During this period, Flanders was a prosperous region known for its textile industry, and its citizens had gained considerable wealth and independence. However, the French monarchy sought to exert control over Flanders, leading to tensions and a series of revolts by the Flemish against French domination.

In 1302, a French army led by Robert II, Count of Artois, invaded Flanders to suppress the rebellion. The Flemish, led by their military leader William of Jülich, formed an alliance with the city militias and prepared to defend their land. The two forces met on the battlefield near the town of Kortrijk.

The Flemish army had taken advantage of the marshy terrain to construct a defensive position, consisting of a series of ditches and palisades. They also had a substantial number of foot soldiers armed with long pikes, which played a crucial role in the upcoming battle.

As the French knights charged towards the Flemish position, they found it difficult to penetrate the defensive lines. The marshy ground slowed their advance, and the Flemish infantry used their long pikes to devastating effect against the heavily armored knights. The French cavalry became bogged down and disorganized, and the Flemish took advantage of the situation.

In a pivotal moment of the battle, the Flemish infantry managed to capture and kill many French knights. The Flemish fighters, recognizing the significance of their victory, started plucking golden spurs from the fallen French knights as a trophy. Hence, the battle came to be known as the Battle of the Golden Spurs.

The French forces suffered heavy losses, and their defeat at the hands of the Flemish was a significant blow to their prestige. The Battle of the Golden Spurs became a symbol of Flemish resistance against French aggression and a source of pride for the people of Flanders.

The battle did not mark the end of the conflict, as the war between Flanders and France continued for several more years. However, it represented a turning point in the struggle, demonstrating that a well-prepared and determined infantry force could overcome the might of heavily armored knights.

Today, the Battle of the Golden Spurs is considered a significant event in Flemish history and is celebrated as a symbol of Flemish identity and resistance. It remains an important part of the cultural heritage of Belgium.