August

Pingali Venkayya was a fervent freedom fighter and the architect of the Indian National Tricolour who went on to become synonymous with the spirit of free and independent India.

About him:

• He was born on August 2, 1876, in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Venkayya served as a soldier in the British Army in South Africa during the Anglo Boer war in Africa.

• Venkayya's version was first designed for the Indian National Congress and subsequently modified in 1947.

• He designed the National Flag and presented it to Mahatma Gandhi during the latter’s visit to Vijayawada city on April 1, 1921. He was a firm believer in Gandhian principles and an ardent nationalist.

• Pingali Venkayya was an authority in geology, agriculture and also an educationist who set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam. He, however, died in poverty in 1963 and was largely forgotten by the society."

• A postage stamp was issued to commemorate him in 2009 and in 2011 it was proposed that he be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna. The decision by the Centre is yet to be taken on the proposal.

Hiroshima Day is observed every year on August 6 to promote peace politics and raise awareness of the effects of the bomb attack on Hiroshima. Hiroshima city was attacked by an atomic weapon that killed thousands of lives instantly on August 6, 1945

7th of August as the National Handloom Day in July 2015

objective of generating awareness about the importance of the handloom industry to the socio-economic development of the country.

• August 7 was chosen as the National Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on this day in 1905 in Calcutta Town Hall to protest against the partition of Bengal by the British Government.

• The movement had aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.

• While different definitions for the word have evolved since the Handloom (Reservation and Articles for Production) Act, 1985, where ‘handloom’ meant “any loom other than power loom”, in recent years it has become more elaborate.

• In 2012, a new definition was proposed: “Handloom means any loom other than power loom; and includes any hybrid loom on which at least one process of weaving require manual intervention or human energy for production.”

More information

• The first National Handloom Day was held on 7th August 2015.

• On this day, the handloom weaving community is honored and the contribution of this sector to the socio-economic development of this country is highlighted. The resolve to protect our handloom heritage and to empower the handloom weavers and workers with greater opportunities is reaffirmed.

• The Government endeavors to ensure sustainable development of the handloom sector thereby empowering our handloom weavers and workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship.

• The handloom sector is a symbol of the country’s glorious cultural heritage and an important source of livelihood in the country.

• The sector is key to women's empowerment as over 70% of handloom weavers and allied workers are women.

Sarla Thakral became the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft

8 August 1914 – 15 March 2008

Who was Sarla Thukral? - She was the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft. Sarla Thukral was born in 1914, she earned an aviation pilot license in 1936 at the young age of 21 and flew a Gypsy Moth solo. She had a four-year-old daughter.

Sarla Thukral was born in Delhi, British India on this day in 1914 and later moved to Lahore in present-day Pakistan. She was Inspired by her husband who was an airmail pilot from a family of fliers, she began training to follow in their footsteps.

At age 21, dressed in a traditional sari, she stepped into the cockpit of a small double-winged plane for her first solo flight. Lifting the craft into the sky, she made history in the process. Newspapers soon spread the word that the skies were no longer the province for only men.

And Thukral’s groundbreaking ascent did not stop there. As a student of the Lahore Flying Club, she completed 1,000 hours of flight time to gain her A licence, another first for Indian women. She then began preparation to become a commercial pilot, but the outbreak of World War II put a halt on civil aviation training. Instead, Thukral studied fine art and painting at Lahore’s Mayo School of Arts (now the National College of Arts). She later returned to Delhi where she continued painting and built a successful career designing jewelry and clothing.

In the decades since, Thukral’s soaring achievements have paved the way for generations of Indian women to turn their dreams of flight into reality.

Dhanyavaad, Sarla Thukral–with one flight, you opened up the door to the skies.

The Quit India Movement also known as the August Movement, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British Rule of India.

The Cripps Mission had failed, and Gandhi made a call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech, followed by the launch of a mass protest demanding what Gandhi called “An Orderly British Withdrawal” from India.

Almost the entire leadership of the Indian National Congress was imprisoned without trial within hours of Gandhi’s speech.

Extent of Mass Participation

The participation was on many levels.

Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront.

Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta.

Workers went on strikes and faced repression.

Peasants of all strata were at the heart of the movement. Even some zamindars participated. These peasants concentrated their offensive on symbols of authority and there was complete absence of anti-zamindar violence.

Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty.

Muslims helped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.

The Communists did not join the movement; in the wake of Russia (where the communists were in power) being attacked by Nazi Germany, the communists began to support the British war against Germany and the ‘Imperialist War’ became the ‘People’s War’

The Muslim League opposed the movement, fearing that if the British left India at that time, the minorities would be oppressed by the Hindus.

The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement.

The Princely states showed a low-key response.

Lack of Unity

The British had the support of the Viceroy’s Council (which had a majority of Indians), of the All India Muslim League, the princely states, the Indian Imperial Police, the British Indian Army, the Hindu Mahasabha and the Indian Civil Service.

Many Indian businessmen profiting from heavy wartime spending did NOT support the Quit India Movement.

Result

Due to various reasons including effective arrests (over 100,000 arrests were made) by the British and lack of unity, the Quit India campaign was effectively crushed.

Many students paid more attention to Subhas Chandra Bose, who was in exile and supporting the Axis Powers.

The only outside support came from the Americans, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressured Prime Minister Winston Churchill to give in to some of the Indian demands.

The British refused to grant immediate independence, saying it could happen only after the war had ended.

International Day Of The World's Indigenous Peoples

9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.

• On August 9, 1945, the US dropped the second nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, three days after Hiroshima was destroyed by the first one - a uranium bomb- 'Little Boy'.

• Code-named the 'Fat Man', the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki, killed over 80,000 people. This led to Japan's unconditional surrender in Second World War.

• At least 70,000 people were killed in the initial blast at Nagasaki, while approximately another 70,000 more died from radiation-related illnesses later. According to the Department of Energy's history of the Manhattan Project, "The five-year death total may have reached or even exceeded 200,000, as cancer and other long-term effects took hold."

Reason behind dropping atomic bomb on Japan two cities

• According to the sources reason behind dropping the atomic bomb on Japan two cities and according to the US President Truman is military. Dropping the bomb would end war quickly and effectively with the least amount of casualties on the U.S side.

• He also wants to justify the expenses of the Manhattan Project where bomb was created. Bombing impressed Soviet Union and created a response to Pearl Harbor. No doubt bombing forced Japan to surrender.

• A US warplane Enola Gay, dropped the 'Fat Man' at Nagasaki, known for its beautiful off-shore islands. It was also one of the key shipbuilding centers of Japan.

• The nuclear bomb unleashed the equivalent force of 22,000 tons of Trinitrotoluene (TNT). The weight of the bomb was nearly 10,000 pounds and was built to produce a 22-kiloton blast.

• Nagasaki topography played a crucial role as there are valleys between mountains which had reduced the effect of bombing and limited destruction to 2.6 square miles.

• On 15 August, 1945, the Japanese Emperor announced the surrender and ‘Victory in Japan’ or ‘V-J Day’ celebrations broke out across the United States and other Allied nations.

• So, we come to know that on 9 August, 1945 US dropped nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, Japan which further led to the surrender of Japanese Emperor in World War II.

• Today Nagasaki Day is being observed across the world to promote peace and create awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons.

World Lion Day is annually observed on August 10 with an aim to raise awareness and gather support for lion conservation.

• The big cat is listed as an endangered species in the IUCN Red List.

• Asiatic lion is one of the five big cats that are found in India. The other four are the Royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard.

History

• The World Lion Day was created by Big Cat Rescue, the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to big cats.

• They choose August 10, because it is a perfect day for people to come together from across the world to give tribute to the mighty lion in as several ways as possible.

Importance of lions

• Lions are the apex predator of their habitat. They check the population of grazers, thus helping in maintaining ecological balance.

• They also keep the population of their preys healthy and resilient as they target weakest members of the herd. This indirectly helps in disease control in the prey population.

Some related facts

• Even though the Lions are called “King of the Jungle,” they live only in grasslands and plains – not the jungle.

• Lions live in large groups called pride, similar to wolves.

• The male lion weighs above 500 pounds and grows up to eight feet in length.

• Female lions and their sisters live together for entire life. Their female cubs also stay with pride, even after they are grown, but male cubs must stake out on their own once they reach maturity.

• Male lions have majestic manes which make them appear as larger and more intimidating. Female lions also attracted to fuller, thicker hairs.

• The roar of male lions can be heard from up to five miles away, and their roar is the loudest roar of any big cat species. Their roar will help them to find other lions as well as to proclaim their territory.

Recent Data

• According to the latest figures, India recorded the highest ever increase, 29 per cent, in its lion population from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.

• Of the 674, 206 are males, 309 females, 137 cubs and rest are unidentified.

December 03'1889 - August 11'1908

Today marks the death anniversary of Khudiram Bose, an Indian revolutionary from Bengal Presidency involved in the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case, where he was sentenced to death and subsequently executed, making him one of the youngest martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement.

• Khudiram, along with Prafulla Chaki, attempted to assassinate a British judge, Magistrate Douglas Kingsford, by throwing bombs on the carriage they suspected the man was in.

• Magistrate Kingsford, however, was seated in a different carriage, and the throwing of bombs resulted in the deaths of two British women. Khudiram was arrested and trialed for the murder of the two women, ultimately being sentenced to death.

• He was one of the first freedom fighters in Bengal to be executed by Britishers.

• At the time of his hanging, Khudiram was 18 years, 8 months, and 11 days,10 hours old making him one of the 2nd youngest revolutionaries in India.

• The whole of Calcutta erupted in protest against Khudiram’s hanging. After the boy-martyr’s body was released from jail, the funeral procession was witnessed by thousands who had thronged the streets with flowers and garlands.

• The Amrit Bazaar Patrika, a leading newspaper then, carried the headline, ‘Khudiram’s End: Died cheerful and smiling’.

Khudiram Bose: Legacy

• In 1965, Khudiram Bose Central College was established in Kolkata, West Bengal and offers undergraduate courses in arts and commerce. The college is affiliated to the University of Calcutta.

• A metro station in Kolkata is named after him-- Shahid Khudiram Station.

• Shahid Khudiram Bose Hospital-- a hospital is named after him on BT Road near Municipality Park.

• The Muzaffarpur Jail, where he was executed on August 11, 1908, was renamed to Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail.

• Sahid Khudiram Siksha Prangan also known as Alipore Campus is established and offers postgraduate courses and is affiliated to University of Calcutta.

• Khudiram Anushilan Kendra is located adjacent to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indore Stadium in Kolkata.

• Khudiram Bose Pusa railway station-- a two platform station in Samastipur district, Bihar.

• Shaheed Khudiram College at Kamakhyaguri, Alipurduar, West Bengal.

commemorated every year on 12 August to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.

• The commemoration will take the form of a podcast-style discussion that is hosted by youth for youth, together with independently organized commemorations around the world that recognize the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes.

History

• The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System.

• In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the first session of the the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth , which was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the United Nations (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998).

Aim

• International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement to recognize the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes and to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.

• The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.

• The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, with the aim of highlighting that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

• It has been acknowledged that there is a need for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems.

commemorated every year on 12 August to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.

• The commemoration will take the form of a podcast-style discussion that is hosted by youth for youth, together with independently organized commemorations around the world that recognize the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes.

History

• The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System.

• In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the first session of the the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth , which was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the United Nations (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998).

Aim

• International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement to recognize the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes and to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.

• The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.

• The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, with the aim of highlighting that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

• It has been acknowledged that there is a need for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems.

World Senior Citizen Day spreads awareness about issues that the elderly have to face in their everyday lives and they are thanked for their service and contribution towards the betterment of society.

Senior citizens are an important part of any society. However, many of them find it extremely difficult to survive in today’s modern world amid a rapid advancement of technology along with the changing social and economical environment.