Raja Rammohan Roy, born on May 22, 1772, in Hooghly district of West Bengal, is widely regarded as the first major social reformer of modern India and the father of the Indian Renaissance. He played a crucial role in eradicating social evils like the practice of Sati and child marriage. In August 1828, he founded the Brahmo Samaj, aimed at worshiping the eternal God and promoting monotheism. A lesser-known fact about Rammohan Roy is that he was bestowed the title of ‘Raja’ by Mughal ruler Akbar II in 1830, after he went to England to advocate for the pension issues of the Mughal emperor of Delhi. Despite his Indian heritage, Roy opposed Sanskrit education, aligning his views with those of British historian Lord Macaulay, who promoted English education in India. In a letter to the British government in 1823, Roy criticized the establishment of a Sanskrit school in Kolkata, arguing that it would only perpetuate outdated knowledge without practical benefits. Raja Rammohan Roy passed away on September 27, 1833, in Britain, but his legacy as a pioneer of social reform and modern education in India endures.
May 22, 1772: Social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy was born
Raja Rammohan Roy is considered the father of Indian Renaissance
He was given the title of ‘Raja’ by the Mughal ruler Akbar II
Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in August 1828
Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Suri dynasty in India, died on May 22, 1545, at Kalinjar Fort in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Suri, known for defeating Humayun, the son of Babur, in the Battle of Kannauj, had forced Humayun to flee India. In 1544, Sher Shah Suri laid siege to Kalinjar Fort while battling the Chandela Rajputs. Despite intense efforts over six days, his army could not capture the fort. Desperate to succeed, Suri attempted to blow up the fort’s walls. During the attack, a shell ignited a pile of gunpowder near where Sher Shah Suri was standing, resulting in severe injuries. Even while injured, he motivated his troops, who ultimately conquered Kalinjar Fort. However, Suri succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
May 22, 1545: Sher Shah Suri died in Kalinjar Fort
Shershah Suri was the founder of the Suri dynasty in India
Shershah Suri defeated Babar’s son Humayun in the battle of Kannauj
On May 22, 2004, Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India, following the general elections in which the Congress party emerged as the largest party with 145 seats. Sonia Gandhi approved Singh’s candidacy on May 19, 2004, after which President APJ Abdul Kalam invited him to form the government. Manmohan Singh became the first Sikh Prime Minister of India and served as the 13th Prime Minister from May 22, 2004, to May 26, 2014. Singh’s tenure saw significant controversies, including the coal scam and the 2G spectrum scam, which earned him criticism as a “silent PM.” His second term from 2009 to 2014 was marked by economic slowdown, leading to further scrutiny of his leadership style. Despite these challenges, Singh’s contributions were recognized with the Padma Vibhushan award in 1987.
May 22, 2004: Manmohan Singh took oath as Prime Minister
Sonia Gandhi approved the name of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister
In the 2004 general elections, Congress became the largest party with 145 seats
On May 22, 1906, the Wright Brothers’ flying machine was granted a patent after a prolonged struggle. Orville and Wilbur Wright had made their first successful flight on December 17, 1903. However, their patent claim faced challenges from a French company and competition from the American military, resulting in an initial rejection in 1903. Despite these setbacks, their persistent efforts culminated in securing the patent in 1906. Interestingly, some historians assert that an Indian scholar, Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, had flown an airplane named Marutsakha in 1895 near Chowpatty, Mumbai. Talpade’s aircraft reportedly reached a height of 1500 feet, surpassing the Wright Brothers’ initial flight height of 120 feet. This flight was witnessed by prominent figures, including the Maharaja of Baroda, Sir Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, and Lalji Narayan.
May 22, 1906: Wright Brothers’ flying machine received a patent
The airplane built by the Wright Brothers made its first successful flight on December 17, 1903
Before Wright Brothers, Shivkar Bapuji Talpade had flown an airplane near Chowpatty, Mumbai
International Biodiversity Day is celebrated globally on May 22 each year to raise awareness about the diversity of life on Earth. The term “biodiversity” combines “biological” and “diversity,” reflecting the variety of living organisms and ecosystems. The importance of biodiversity was highlighted at the climate conference in Nairobi on December 29, 1992, where it was decided to establish an annual Biodiversity Day. Initially set for May 29, the date was later changed to May 22. Since then, International Biodiversity Day has been observed worldwide on May 22, emphasizing the need to protect and sustain the rich diversity of life on our planet.
International biodiversity is being celebrated around the world
The term biodiversity means variety of life on earth
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