13 December - Smita Patil death anniversary

 

Smita Patil (17 October 1955 – 13 December 1986) was an Indian actress who worked in films, television series and plays. Regarded among the finest stage and film actresses of her times,she appeared in over 80 films in several languages, but mostly in Hindi and Marathi, in a career that spanned just over a decade.During her career, she received two National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award. She was the recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour in 1985.

Apart from acting, Patil was an active feminist and a member of the Women's Centre in Mumbai. She was deeply committed to the advancement of women's issues and gave her endorsement to films which sought to explore the role of women in traditional Indian society, their sexuality, and the changes facing the middle-class woman in an urban milieu.[10]

Patil was married to actor Raj Babbar. She died on 13 December 1986 at the age of 31 due to childbirth complications. Over ten of her films were released after her death.

On the occasion of 100 years of the Indian cinema, a postage stamp bearing her face was released by India Post to honour her on 3 May 2013

12 December - Alfred Werner birth anniversary

 

Alfred Werner (1866–1919) was a Swiss chemist who made significant contributions to the field of coordination chemistry, particularly in the understanding of the structure and bonding in coordination compounds. He was born on 12 December 1866, in Mulhouse, Alsace (then part of France).

Werner is best known for his coordination theory, which he developed in the early 20th century. At the time, there was a lack of understanding about the structures of coordination compounds, which are formed by the coordination of metal ions with surrounding ligands. Werner's groundbreaking work laid the foundation for our modern understanding of coordination chemistry.

One of Werner's key contributions was the introduction of the concept of coordination number, which refers to the number of ligands surrounding a metal ion in a coordination complex. He proposed that these complexes have a three-dimensional spatial arrangement, and he classified them based on their coordination numbers.

In 1913, Alfred Werner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the theory of coordination compounds. This recognition marked a significant step forward in the development of inorganic chemistry.

Unfortunately, Werner's life was cut short, as he died at the age of 52 in 1919. Despite his relatively short career, his ideas and theories had a profound and lasting impact on the field of chemistry, particularly in the study of coordination compounds.

 

12 December - Vijayanta, first India-made millitary tank handed over to the Army

 

Vijayanta, first India-made millitary tank which was handed over to the Army, was manufactured at Avadi Heavy Vehicles Factory at Madras.

The Vijayanta was a main battle tank built in India based on a licensed design of the Vickers Mk.1. The Vijayanta was the first indigenous tank of the Indian Army. The prototype was completed in 1963 and the tank entered service in 1965. The first 90 vehicles were built by Vickers in the UK. Production continued at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi until 1983 with 2,200 units. A number of the tank hulls were converted to other uses such as self-propelled guns after being withdrawn from service. The Vijayanta has been supplemented by the T-72M1 in Indian service.

12 December - Yuvraj Singh birthday

 

Yuvraj Singh is a former Indian international cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the finest all-rounders to have played for the Indian cricket team. He was born on December 12, 1981, in Chandigarh, India.

Yuvraj made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 2000 in the ICC KnockOut Trophy. He played a crucial role in India's success in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he was awarded the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding all-around performances. Yuvraj is particularly remembered for his memorable six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad's bowling during a T20 World Cup match against England.

Yuvraj was known for his aggressive batting style, powerful hitting, and ability to score quickly. He was also a handy left-arm spinner and an agile fielder. However, his career faced a setback when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Yuvraj successfully battled the disease and made a triumphant return to international cricket.

Throughout his career, Yuvraj Singh represented India in all three formats of the game - Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He announced his retirement from international cricket in June 2019. Yuvraj's contributions to Indian cricket, especially in major tournaments, have left a lasting impact on the sport, and he remains a beloved figure among cricket fans.

 

 

The proclamation of George V as Emperor of India and the announcement of the shift of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi took place during the Delhi Durbar on December 12, 1911. The Delhi Durbar was a grand event held to celebrate the coronation of a new monarch or significant events related to the British Empire in India.

During the Durbar, George V made the historic announcement that the capital of British India would be moved from Calcutta to Delhi. The decision to shift the capital was influenced by various factors, including strategic considerations, as Delhi was more centrally located, and the British wanted a symbolic shift that would emphasize their control over the entire subcontinent.

The construction of New Delhi, the new capital, began in 1912 and continued for several years. Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker were the chief architects responsible for the design and layout of New Delhi. The city was officially inaugurated as the capital in 1931.

The decision to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi had far-reaching consequences and marked an important chapter in India's history under British rule. It was a symbolic and administrative change that reflected the evolving dynamics of British imperial control in the Indian subcontinent.

 

12 December - Kenya Jamhuri Day

 

Jamhuri Day is a national holiday in Kenya that is celebrated on 12 December each year. The word "Jamhuri" is Swahili for "Republic," and Jamhuri Day marks the day when Kenya officially became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. On 12 December 1964, Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule, and Jomo Kenyatta became the country's first Prime Minister.

The day is a significant occasion for Kenyans, and celebrations typically include various events such as parades, cultural displays, flag-raising ceremonies, and speeches by political leaders. It is a time for reflection on Kenya's history, achievements, and progress as a nation.

The holiday emphasizes the principles of democracy, self-governance, and the unity of the Kenyan people. It is an opportunity for citizens to come together and celebrate their national identity. Additionally, the day often includes the honoring of individuals who have made significant contributions to the country.

12 December - Shivaji Rao Gaikwad professionally know as Rajinikanth was born 1950

 

 

Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth is an Indian actor, producer and screenwriter who works mainly in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done more than 160 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and popular actors in the history of Indian cinema. Known for his uniquely styled lines and idiosyncrasies in films, he has a huge fan base across South India and has a cult following. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Bhushan in 2000, Padma Vibhushan in 2016, India's third and second highest civilian honours, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019 for his contributions to Indian cinema.

11 December - Ravi Shankar birth anniversary

 

 

Ravi Shankar sometimes spelled as Rabindra Shankar Chowdhury ( 07 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian sitarist and composer. A sitar virtuoso, he became the world's best-known export of North Indian classical music in the second half of the 20th century and influenced many musicians in India and throughout the world. Shankar was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999.

On 9 December 2012, Shankar was admitted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, San Diego, California after complaining of breathing difficulties. He died on 11 December 2012 at around 16:30 PST after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery.
 

11 December - First world agriculture fair started in 1959

 

The first world agriculture fair(WAF) was held on 11 Dec 1959 -11 March 1960 at New Delhi. The great leader of farmers Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Union Minister of India and President of Bharat Krushak Samaj organized the world agriculture fair and Government of India assisted the WAF. The fair had very large response from the world and millions of farmers visited the world agriculture exhibition. Many world leaders were present on the occasion and visited the exhibition. The fair was inaugurated by Dr.Rajendra Prasad , President of India with Mr.Isen Hower President of USA ,Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Prime Minister of India. During the 92 days of exhibition, Queen Elizabeth UK, Mr. Mr.Khruchev President of USSR, Mr. Bulganin President of Communist Party of USSR, Field Marshal of Germany Gomeri, Lady Lord Mountbatten and President of Poland, Cambodia and Nepal visited the Exhibition. The exhibition stall of USSR and USA was largest and attracting the farmers about new agriculture innovations and technology. The exhibition was landmark in the history of Indian Agriculture which provided international platform and agriculture fraternity among the world farmers.

11 December - Indiana became the 19th U.S. state to join the union

Indiana became the 19th U.S. state on December 11, 1816. It was admitted to the Union, making it the first state formed from the Northwest Territory. The capital of Indiana is Indianapolis, and the state is known for its diverse geography, including farmland, forests, and the industrial cities that developed around the Great Lakes.