This Day In History- November 12

1896 – Eminent naturalist and ornithologist and fondly regarded as the ‘Birdman of India’ Dr. Salim Ali was born. As a young boy, Salim Ali was introduced and encouraged to study birds by naturalist W.S. Millard who was also then Secretary of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Dr.Ali was instrumental in the establishment of the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo National Park.

The Sanctuary is home to over 230 species of birds and has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. He also played a significant role in checking exploitation and ensuring protection of the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala. In 1976, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.

 1930 – King George V officially opened the first Round Table Conference at London. The then British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald was the chairperson of this conference that was attended by sixteen delegates of three British political parties and fifty seven other political leaders from British India. The Indian National Congress, however, did not attend since most of its leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in the Civil Disobedience movement.

1943 – Noted Aerospace Scientist Dr. Byrana Nagappa Suresh was born. Dr. Suresh is known for his contribution to the Space Capsule Recovery Experiments (SRE). In 2002, the Government of India conferred him with the Padma Shri.

1965 – 51st Da’i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra Community His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) passed away. Under his leadership the community experienced extraordinary social, economic and educational development. The shrine of ‘Raudat Tahera’ in Mumbai was constructed in his memory.

1996 – Flight 763 (SVA 763) of the Saudi Arabian Airlines on its way to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from New Delhi collided in mid-air with the New Delhi bound Flight 1907 (KZA 1907) of the Kazakhstan Airlines that flew from Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The mishap occurred over Charkhi Dadri village in the state of Haryana.

It was one of the deadliest air accidents ever and there were no survivors.

2007 – Former Test Cricketer and Indian Cricketer of the Year 1948, Khanmohammad Cassumbhoy Ibrahim passed away. He began his first class career in 1938-39 with Bombay as a batsman. Though he represented India in just four tests he signed off with an impressive first class career. He amassed 4,716 runs at a staggering average of 61.24. He captained the Bombay team that won the 1948 Ranji Trophy and scored 219 runs in the final match.