Lohri Festival 13-January

Lohri is a festival connected with the solar year. Generally, it is an accepted fact that this festival is celebrated to worship fire. This is particularly a happy occasion for the couples, who would be celebrating Lohri for the first time after marriage and, also for the family who are blessed with a son as he would be celebrating his first ever Lohri. Celebrated enthusiastically in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and parts of Himachal Pradesh, it signifies the beginning of the end of winter.

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The day begins with children collecting money from houses in the neighborhood. Children go from door to door singing songs in praise of Dulha Bhatti, a Punjabi version of Robin Hood who robbed the rich and helped the poor. These "visitors" are given either money or gajak, til bhuga, moong phali, gur and rewri. In the evening, a bonfire is lit, winter savories are served around the bonfire and everyone gathers around it. Munchies, collected from each house, are thrown into the fire.

The festival assumes greater significance if there has been a happy event in the family during the elapsed year, like the birth of a male child or marriage. The family then plays host to relatives and friends, wherein the eateries take a back seat and merry-making takes over. Bhangra, dhol, gidda and light-hearted flirtation rein the overall scenario. Liquor flows freely and guests are served dinner. A popular belief in this region is that if someone seeks a radish roasted in the bonfire lit by a family that has reason to celebrate, then blessings are bestowed on the family of the seeker as well.

Geographically speaking, the earth leans towards the sun along the Tropic of Capricorn (Makara Rekha) from the day following Lohri, also known as Winter Solstice. The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun along its elliptical orbit, thus heralding in the onset of spring. It is this transition which is celebrated as Lohri in Northern India, as Makara Sankranti in the central part of the country and as Pongal Sankranti in South India.

In South India, the festival is spread over three days and signifies the beginning of harvesting season. A rath yatra is taken out from the Kandaswamy temple in Chennai on Pongal. The day is celebrated as Ganga Sagara in West Bengal. According to a belief, Hindus purify their sins by taking bath in the Ganges. A big fair is also held on the Sagara Island, 64 km from the Diamond Harbor where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal.

Call it Lohri, Pongal or Sankranti, the festival conveys the same message that the bond of brotherhood and the spirit of oneness should prevail despite all odds!

National Youth Day

In 1984, the Government of India declared and decided to observe the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to English calendar) as National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards. To quote from the Government of India's Communication,

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''it was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.''

Swamij's Birthday according to Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is onPausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on  different dates of English Calendar every year.
The Headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission as well as their branch centres observe the birthday of Swami Vivekananda withmangalarati, special worship,homa, meditation, devotional songs, religious discourses, sandhyarati, etc. on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, and as National Youth Day(12 January) with processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasana presentation, competitions in essay-writing, recitations, speeches, music, sports, etc. on 12 January.

Selected Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
 My ideal, indeed, can be put into a few words, and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.

 Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.

 We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.

 So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them.

Whatever you think, that you will be.  If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be.

 If you have faith in all the three hundred and thirty millions of your mythological gods, … and still have no faith in yourselves, there is no salvation for you. Have faith in yourselves, and stand up on that faith and be strong; that is what we need.

 Strength, strength it is that we want so much in this life, for what we call sin and sorrow have all one cause, and that is our weakness. With weakness comes ignorance, and with ignorance comes misery.

 The older I grow, the more everything seems to me to lie in manliness. This is my new Gospel.

 Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above all, love.

 Religion is realization; not talk, not doctrine, nor theories, however beautiful they may be. It is being and becoming, not hearing or acknowledging; it is the whole soul becoming changed into what it believes.

 Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man.

 Teach yourselves, teach everyone his real nature, call uon the sleeping soul and see how it awakes. Power will come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come, and everything that is excellent will come when this sleeping soul is roused to self-conscious activity.

 They alone live who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive.

 This is the gist of all worship – to be pure and to do good to others.

 It is love and love alone that I preach, and I base my teaching on the great Vedantic truth of the sameness and omnipresence of the Soul of the Universe.

 

Rahul Dravid 11 January

Rahul Dravid is one of the most experienced top order batsmen of Team India. He bats right handed and has played the role of wicketkeeper as well. He is nicknamed Jammy and is known as The Wall in cricket. He also bowls right arm off spin but has emerged most dependable batsman in world cricket.

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Early Life
Rahul Sharad Dravid was born on 11th January 1973, in the Indore city of Madhya Pradesh to a Maharashtra family. He has a younger brother Vijay Dravid. His father name is Sharad Dravid and worked as Kissan a well known Jam making company. His mother name is Pushpa Dravid and she was a Professor of Architecture at Bangalore University. He did his schooling form St Joseph Boy’s High School and is a graduate in commerce from St Joseph College of Commerce.
He is married to Vijeta Pendharkar who is a surgeon from Nagpur. He has two son’s Samit and Anvay.

Cricket Career

He started his cricket career with Ranji Trophy in which he played for Karnataka against Maharashtra in Pune. He had a good outing in the tournament as was called by South Zone in Duleep Trophy.

He made his International debut in 1996 when he played his first One Day International against Srilanka on April 3, 1996 in Singapore. He made his Test debut against England on June 20, 1996 along with Saurav Ganguly and scored 95 in his first test innings. Though he fell short by 5 runs but he sealed his place in the test squad for the future to come.

He made his maiden test century against South Africa when India toured them in 1996/97. He made his first ODI half century against Pakistan in his 10th match. He also became only the third Indian batsman to score centuries in both innings of a test match.

He was adjudged the Man of the Tournament for the 1999 Cricket World Cup accumulating 461 runs. He was awarded the captaincy of Team India for the 2007 cricket world cup where the team failed to perform. He stepped down from captaincy after that as Mahendra Singh Dhoni succeeded him in ODI and Anil Kumble in tests.

He has not played an ODI since September 2009 but is a regular in Test Cricket.

Awards And Achievements:

Arjuna award : 1998 Wisden Cricketer of the Year : 2000 Padma Shri: 2004 ICC Test Player of The Year : 2004 MTV Youth Icon of the Year: 2004 Captain of the ICC's Test Team : 2006

 

 

 

Lal Bahadur Shastri 11 January

Birthday :    11 January 1966

The second Prime Minister of the Republic of India and a significant figure in the Indian independence movement.
Lal Bahadur was born in Mughal Sarai, United Provinces, British India to Sharada Srivastava Prasad, a school teacher, who later became a clerk in the Revenue Office at Allahabad,^[2] and Ramdulari Devi. When he was three months old, he slipped out of his mother's arms into a cowherder's basket at the ghats of the Ganges. The cowherder, who had no children, took the child as a gift from God and took him home. Lal Bahadur's parents lodged a complaint with the police, who traced the child, and returned him to his parents.

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His father died when he was only a year and a half old. His mother took him and his two sisters to her father's house and settled down there. Lal Bahadur stayed at his grandfather Hazari Lal's house till he was ten. He studied up to class IV at Railway School Mughalsarai. Since there was no high school in the town, he was sent to Varanasi, where he stayed with his maternal uncle and joined the Harischandra High School. While in Varanasi, Shastri once went with his friends to see a fair on the other bank of the Ganges. On the way back he had no money for the boat fare. Instead of borrowing from his friends, he jumped into the river and swam to the other bank.

As a boy, Lal Bahadur loved reading books and was fond of Guru Nanak's verses. He revered Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter. After hearing a speech of Mahatma Gandhi at Varanasi in 1915, he dedicated his life to the service of the country. He also dropped his surname Srivastava as it indicated his caste and he was against the caste system. During the non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, he joined processions in defiance of the prohibitory order. He was arrested but let off as he was aminor. He then enrolled at the nationalist Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi. During his four years there, he was greatly influenced by the lectures of Dr. Bhagawandas on philosophy. Upon completion of his course at Kashi Vidyapeeth in 1926, he was given the title Shastri ("Scholar"). The title was a bachelor's degree awarded by the Vidya Peeth, but it stuck as part of his name. He also enrolled himself as a life member of the Servants of the People Society and began to work for the upliftment of the Harijans at Muzaffarpur. Later he became the President of the Society.

In 16 may 1928, Shastri married Lalita Devi of Mirzapur. In spite of the prevailing hefty dowry tradition, Shastri accepted only a charkha and a few yards of khadi as dowry. In 1930, he threw himself into the freedom struggle during Mahatma Gandhi's Salt Satyagraha. He was imprisoned for two and a half years.^[10] Once, while he was in prison, one of his daughters fell seriously ill. He was released for fifteen days, on the condition that he not take part in the freedom movement. However, his daughter died before he reached home. After performing thefuneral rites, he voluntarily returned to prison, even before the expiration of the period. A year later, he asked for permission to go home for a week, as his son had contracted influenza. The permission was given, but his son's illness was not cured in a week. In spite of his family's pleadings, he kept his promise to the jail officers and returned to the prison.

Later, he worked as the Organizing Secretary of the Parliamentary Board of U.P. in 1937. In 1940, he was sent to prison for one year, for offering individual Satyagraha support to the freedom movement. On 8 August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi issued the Quit India speech atGowalia Tank in Mumbai, demanding that the British leave India. Shastri, who had just then come out after a year in prison, travelled toAllahabad. For a week, he sent instructions to the freedom fighters from Jawaharlal Nehru's hometown, Anand Bhavan. A few days later, he was arrested and imprisoned until 1946. Shastri spent almost nine years in jail in total. During his stays in prison, he spent time reading books and became familiar with the works of western philosophers, revolutionaries and social reformers. He also translated the autobiography of Marie Curie into Hindi.

Hrithik Roshan 10-January

Birthday: 10^thJanuary, 1974

Awards: 4 Filmfare Best Actor Awards, Filmfare Best Male Debut Award, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance
Trivia: Hrithik’s nickname is Duggu.

With the looks of a Greek God and an enticing combination of star quality, Hrithik Roshan comes across as a complete gentleman. He skyrocketed to fame with his acting debut, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. His twinkling green eyes, winsome smile, and a lean, chiselled body ensure that Hrithik has a huge fan following.

Roshan was born in Mumbai to a Punjabi Hindu family of cinema personalities. His father, actor and director Rakesh Roshan, is the son of music director Roshan; while his mother, Pinky, is the daughter of producer and director J. Om Prakash. Hrithik has an elder sister, Sunaina. His uncle Rajesh Roshan is a famous music director. As a child, Roshan attended the Bombay Scottish School. He later attended Sydenham College, where graduated in Commerce.

He got a taste of Bollywood as a child, when he appeared in the films Aasha (1980), Aapke Deewane (1980) and Bhagwan Dada (1986). But it was in the year 2000 that Hrithik made his debut as the leading man in the film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, opposite the debutante actress, Amisha Patel. The film was one of the biggest box-office successes of that year. Later that year, Roshan starred in Fiza (2000). Although the film did poorly at the box-office, Hrithik’s performance was praised. His last release that year was Mission Kashmir, where he starred with Sanjay Dutt and Preity Zinta.

Yaadein was his first release in 2001, followed by the melodrama, Kabhi K

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hushi Kabhie Gham, which did extremely well at the box office, becoming the second-highest grossing film of 2001 and the then biggest overseas hit.

Hrithik had an unsuccessful year in 2002 when all three of his releases – Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum and Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage – were declared flops.

In 2003, Hrithik made a comeback with the science-fiction film Koi… Mil Gaya, which saw Hrithik play a mentally challenged young man.The film was the highest grosser of the year.  Lakshya was Roshan’s only release in 2004; the film did not do well at the box office.However, Hrithik’s performance was praised by critics.

Roshan took a two-year break from acting before resurfacing with the superhero film Krrish, a sequel to his 2003 film Koi… Mil Gaya which released in June 2006. The film was a major box office success. This was followed by the action flick Dhoom 2, the sequel to Dhoom, wherein he played a negative character. His pairing with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the film was liked by the audiences. He got back with Aishwarya for another film, Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar (2008).

Roshan then appeared in Luck By Chance (2009), in which he made a guest appearance. The following year, he was seen in Anurag Basu’s Kites along with Mexican actress Bárbara Mori and Kangna Ranaut. The film failed to do well at the box office after taking a huge start and was eventually declared a flop. He next acted in Guzaarish opposite Aishwarya Rai. Upon release, the Hrithik’s portrayal of a quadriplegic patient, Ethan Mascarenhas, received rave reviews.

Hrithik Roshan next film is Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara opposite Katrina Kaif. The actor is also all set to commence the shooting for Karan Johar’s remake of Agneepath, where he is paired opposite Priyanka Chopra.

Farhan Akhtar 9- January

Farhan Akhtar (Hindi: फ़रहान अख़्तर; born 9 January 1974) is an Indian filmmaker, script writer,actor, playback singer, lyricist, film producer who works in Hindi cinema. His directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai (2001) won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. He made his acting debut with Rock On!! (2008) which also won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

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If there is anybody in Bollywood who is truly versatile, it is Farhan Akhtar! He is not only an ace director, a writer and a producer, but also a dynamic actor. And if that wasn't enough, he is also a singer and lyricist.
Farhan Akhtar has Bollywood running in his veins. He is the son of the famous poet, lyricist, & script writer Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani. His twin sister, Zoya Akhtar, recently made her directorial debut with "Luck By Chance" in 2009, in which Farhan played the main lead.

Farhan Akhtar started his career at an early age by working on films like "Lamhe" and "Himalayaputra" as an assistant director.He made his writing and directorial debut with "Dil Chahta Hai" in 2001, which went on to become a cult classic. The movie announced Farhan's arrival in B-Town in style and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. He went on to direct the critically acclaimed Lakshya in 2004 and the box office hit "Don" in 2006. He has also directed a short film on HIV AIDS - "Positive" in 2007.Farhan then shifted his focus on the then unconquered avenues. He made his acting and singing debut in the National Award winning movie "Rock On!!" in 2008.

He hosted "Oye! It's Friday!" on NDTV Imagine, and appeared as a judge on "Nach Baliye" Season 1.

He truly is Bollywood's multi-dimensional personality. This master of all trades promises to deliver much, much more.

Saeed Jaffrey 8-January

Saeed Jaffrey was born in Maler Kotla, Punjab, India. He was born on the 8th of January 1929. He attended University of Allahabad where he completed his post-graduate degree in history. He also attended the Staff Training Institute of All India Radio. He started his career in drama, as the founder of his own English theatre company called the Unity Theatre, in New Delhi between 1951 and 1956. He also served with All India Radio as Radio Director during this period. He played a wide variety of roles in comedy and drama with equal ease and enthusiasm. His early theatrical work included roles in productions of Tennessee Williams, Fry, Priesty, Wilde, and Shakespeare. In 1956, he finished his studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, a premier school of drama. He went to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship and took a second post-graduate degree in drama from the Catholic University in America. With this experience as his base, he took his company on a tour of the United States doing Shakespearean plays in the year 1957. He was the first Indian Actor to have ever done so. He then became an active member of the Actors' Studio in New York. Here, he was noted for his acting in the play "Nights" and his role as the "Nawab" in Granada Television's adaptation of "The Jewel in the Crown". He married Madhur, actress and cookery writer, with whom he has had three children. He is now divorced from her.

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In the 1960s he made numerous stage appearances and participated in a number of tours. He also started his U.S. television career in these years. He was the director of publicity and advertising for the Government of India in their Tourist Office in the U.S. from 1958 to 1960. His performance in the BBC classic _Gangsters (1975) (TV)_, as "Rafiq" earned him countrywide recognition in the United Kingdom. This was even though he had acted in Theatres and appeared on television previously in the U.K. He started off his film career in the movie The Guru (1969), and since then has made numerous film appearances along with Hollywood stars such as Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan etc. He has, since then, worked with directors of high calibre such as Satyajit Ray, James Ivory, David Lean and Richard Attenborough. He is a member of the Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He is known over the world for his impeccable English accent, his dapper style and his catch phrase "My dear boy". They form part of an acting persona that audiences have always found enchanting. He uses his smooth charm to good effect whether he is playing the archetypal oily, corrupt businessman or the kindly, knowing, father like figure. He is the first Asian to have received British and Canadian Academy Award nominations for acting, and is the first ever to be awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to drama.