This Day In History- November 26

1906 – Eminent Kannada scholar, poet, essayist, linguist and educator Acharya Tirthapura Nanjundaiah Srikantaiah also referred to as ‘TeeNamSri’ was born. T.N. Srikantaiah studied poetics and based on his research brought out the ‘Bharatiya Kavya Meemamse'(1953). He also translated and published the Kannada version of the Constitution of India. As a member of the Indian Constitution Council it was T.N. Srikantaiah who gave the term ‘Rashtrapati’, a Sanskrit connotation to refer to the President of India. In 1988, the Government of Karnataka honoured him posthumously with the ‘Pampa Prashasti’, Karnataka’s highest literary award.

Verghese Kurien Amul

On Dr. Kurien’s 90th Birthday

1921 – Fondly referred to as the ‘Milkman of India’ and the ‘Father of the White Revolution’, Dr. Verghese Kurien was born. Dr. Kurien had half-heartedly joined the Government’s experimental creamery at Anand in Gujarat to complete a two-year bond against the scholarship he had received. But it was Tribhuvandas Patel, founder of Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union, who inspired him to stay. With Mr. Patel’s support Dr.Kurien pioneered the concept of co-operative union. Thus, ‘Operation Flood’ was conceived which not only transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer but also changed the face of rural India. He established and assisted in establishing over thirty organisations based on co-operative model that are run by professionals but managed by farmers (including ‘AMUL’). He was also appointed as the founder-chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In 1963, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award while in 1989 he was awarded the World Food Prize. The Government of India bestowed on him the civilian honours of Padma Shri in 1965, Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

Yash Pal

1926 – Eminent physicist, former National Research Professor and celebrated science columnist Prof. Yash Pal was born. Prof. Pal, who obtained his Ph.D. from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958, served at various important positions in different establishments of the government. He was the Chief Consultant, Planning Commission (1983-84), Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (1984-86) and Chairman of the University Grants Commission (1986-91). However, Prof. Yash Pal is best known for his science columns addressing queries and explaining scientific concepts. He frequently featured as an expert on Doordarshan’s science programme ‘Turning Point’. He was also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of popular TV series’ – ‘Bharat Ki Chaap’, ‘Tarram Too’ and ‘Race to Save the Planet’. He also brought out books titled ‘Discovered Questions’ and ‘Random Curiosity’ answering curiosities generating from everyday life. In 1980, he received the Marconi Fellowship Award, the highest international award in Communication. In 1976, the Government of India honoured him with the third highest civilian award- the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the field of Science and Space Technology.

1949 – The Constitution of India, drafted by the committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly.

Mumbai Attacks 2008

2008 – The City of Mumbai was rocked by a planned attack executed by ten trained terrorists of the Pakistan-based militant organisation ‘Lashkar-e-Taiba’. Arriving in an inflatable motorboat, the terrorists bombed and went on a shooting spree at eleven locations in the city including eight in South Mumbai. 166 people lost their lives in this massacre and over 300 were wounded.

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