09 December - Sonia Gandhi birthday

 

Sonia Gandhi, born Edvige Antonia Albina Màino on 09 December 1946, is an Italian-born Indian politician and the widow of Rajiv Gandhi, who was a former Prime Minister of India. After the assassination of her husband in 1991, Sonia Gandhi initially remained away from politics. However, she later became involved and assumed a prominent role in the Indian National Congress (INC), the political party to which her husband and mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, belonged.

Sonia Gandhi has served as the president of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties in India, for several terms. She played a crucial role in the party's leadership, particularly during challenging times. Under her leadership, the Congress party achieved success in the 2004 and 2009 general elections, leading to the formation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government with Sonia Gandhi initially choosing not to become the Prime Minister.

 

09 December - Tanzania Independence Day

 

Tanzania celebrates its Independence Day on December 9th. This day commemorates the country's independence from British colonial rule, which was achieved on 09 December 1961. The process of gaining independence was relatively peaceful, and Tanganyika, as it was known at the time, became a sovereign nation.

Tanzania's first Prime Minister, Julius Nyerere, played a key role in the independence movement, and he became the country's first President after independence. Later, in 1964, Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Consequently, Independence Day is an important national holiday in Tanzania, marked by various events, ceremonies, and celebrations across the country.

09 December - Surdas birth anniversary

 

Surdas, also known as Sant Surdas, was a 15th-century Hindu devotional poet and singer. He is celebrated for his beautiful and spiritually uplifting poems and songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. Surdas was born on  09December 1478, in Sihi, a village near Delhi, India.

Surdas is renowned for his devotion to Lord Krishna and is considered one of the prominent poets of the Bhakti movement, which emphasized a deep, personal connection with the divine through devotion and love. His compositions, which were primarily in the Braj Bhasha language, reflect his love for Lord Krishna and are filled with stories and praises of the deity. Some of his most famous works include the "Sursagar," a collection of his songs and poems.

Surdas' poetry and music continue to be cherished and sung by devotees and artists, making a lasting impact on the culture and spiritual traditions of India. His contributions to devotional literature and the arts remain influential and highly regarded to this day.

09 December - Sri Lanka Navy Day

 

Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

In Sri Lanka each armed services celebrates its own Army Day (10 October), the Navy Day (9 December) and the Air Force Day (2 March) respectively. However all armed services celebrate Independence Day (4 February) with a military parade in which they display their full colours.Since 2010, the armed services also hold parades on Victory and Remembrance Day (18 May), in honour of the armed forces fallen, heroes and veterans of the Sri Lankan Civil War.

08 December - John Lennon death anniversary

 

John Lennon (1940-1980) was a highly influential English musician, singer, and songwriter who rose to international fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music. Born on 09 October 1940, in Liverpool, England, Lennon became a key figure in the cultural and musical revolution of the 1960s.

The Beatles, formed in 1960, achieved unprecedented success with numerous hit songs and albums that continue to be celebrated today. Some of their most famous albums include "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Abbey Road." Lennon, along with bandmate Paul McCartney, co-wrote many of The Beatles' most iconic songs.

In addition to his contributions to The Beatles, John Lennon had a successful solo career after the band's breakup in 1970. Some of his notable solo works include the albums "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine." The song "Imagine" is particularly famous for its vision of world peace and has become an anthem for hope.

Apart from his musical career, Lennon was known for his activism and outspoken views on peace and political issues. He and his wife, Yoko Ono, were involved in various peace campaigns, including the famous "Bed-Ins for Peace." Lennon's commitment to peace and his anti-war stance are reflected in many of his songs and public statements.

Tragically, John Lennon's life was cut short when he was shot and killed by a fan, Mark David Chapman, outside his apartment building in New York City on 08 December 1980.

08 December - The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

 

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Christian celebration that commemorates the belief in the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. This feast is observed by various Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and some Lutheran churches. The feast is not to be confused with the conception of Jesus Christ, which is the virgin birth, but rather with the belief that Mary herself was conceived without original sin.

The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Catholic Church, officially defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854. According to this doctrine, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin in anticipation of her role as the mother of the sinless Son of God.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is typically observed on 08 December each year. It is considered a significant solemnity in the liturgical calendar, and it is a holy day of obligation for Catholics, meaning that Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this day.

During this feast, Catholics and other Christians may attend special religious services, participate in processions, and reflect on the role of Mary in Christian theology. The celebration varies across different Christian traditions, but the central theme is the acknowledgment of Mary's sinless conception in preparation for her role in the Incarnation.

14 December - INS Kalvari commissioned in 2017

 

INS Kalvari is a Scorpene-class submarine and is the first of six submarines built under Project 75 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for the Indian Navy. The submarine was commissioned on December 14, 2017. The Scorpene-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines and are considered one of the most advanced conventional submarines in the world.

INS Kalvari, named after the first Foxtail fish, plays a crucial role in enhancing the Indian Navy's underwater capabilities. These submarines are designed to operate in all theatres, with the ability to undertake various types of missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering.

It's advisable to check official and recent sources for the latest updates and information about INS Kalvari or any other naval vessel.

 

08 December - Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen birth anniversary

 

Bal Krishna Sharma (08 December 1897 – 29 April 1960), known under the pen name Naveen, was an Indian freedom activist, journalist, politician and a poet of Hindi literature.He was a member of the 1st Lok Sabha, representing Kanpur constituency and served the Rajya Sabha as a member from 1957 till his death.He succeeded Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi as the editor of Pratap daily and also served as a member of the Official Languages Commission.His poetry anthologies include Kumkum, Rashmirekha, Apalak, Kwasi, Vinoba Stavan, Urmila and Hum Vishpaee Janam Ke, the last one published posthumously. The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1960, for his contributions to literature.India Post issued a commemorative stamp on Sharma in 1989.

08 December - All India handicrafts week

 

All India handicrafts week is celebrated every year all over the India by the people from 08 December to the 14  December. It is celebrated in every state of the country with great enthusiasm for increasing the awareness, support and importance in the society among people for the handicrafts. In the Imphal, a big Ecocrafts exhibition is organized in the premises of Public Library, B.T road.

The whole week celebration is a special time of the year for all the artisans all across the country as they get a big chance to get focused and exposed for their great work all over the world. The organized exhibition during his week provides a big hope and opportunity to the millions of dedicated handicrafts artisans all around the India. It is a great event which helps in keeping alive the tradition and culture of handicrafts for the ages.

The whole week celebration includes five major components such as the buyer-seller meeting, handicrafts exhibition, artistic performances by the Indian artists, live display by the national award winning crafts-persons and exhibition of Indian food.

 

08 December - Bhai Parmanand death anniversary

 

Bhai Parmanand, born on 04 November 1876, and passing away on 08 December 1947, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, scholar, and social reformer during the period of British colonial rule in India. He played a significant role in India's struggle for independence.

Bhai Parmanand was deeply committed to the cause of Indian nationalism and the promotion of Indian culture. He was associated with organizations like the Ghadar Party, which aimed to mobilize overseas Indians in the struggle for India's freedom. He also played a key role in spreading the message of Indian independence in the United States and Canada.

As a scholar, Bhai Parmanand was well-versed in various Indian languages and was an advocate for the promotion of Sanskrit and other Indian languages. He was dedicated to preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage and values.

Bhai Parmanand's contributions to the Indian freedom movement, his efforts to engage with the Indian diaspora, and his commitment to cultural preservation make him a respected figure in the history of India's struggle for independence. His legacy continues to inspire those who value India's rich cultural heritage and its journey to freedom.