ILYAS

Thanks to google, I am able to find out and read short stories which decades ago I had gone through as a school going boy and which even then I felt like reading again and again.One such short story is 'ILYAS' by Leo Tolstoy.
Those of us who seek happiness through riches & wealth and consider them synonymous must go through this story.Money and wealth are not permanent and change hands as fate ordains.The protagonist Ilyas, a rich ,kind and a hospitable man whose good reputation had travelled far and wide, by some quirk of fate falls on bad days and finds it difficult to afford even two square meals a day.A kind person who has known Ilyas since his salad days out of compassion employs the couple who do odd domestic chores for him.It is when some guests turn up and the master tells them about Ilyas . Face to face with the guests, Ilyas speaks about his new found happiness and contentment, which had eluded him as a rich man.
The story carries a few lessons as all the short stories of Tolstoy do.

Raaj Kumar

Today is the death anniversary of Raaj Kumar , the popular Bollywood actor .Born as Kulbhushan Pandit , he took the name Raaj Kumar and lived up to his film name leading his life in style like a prince. Almost every film he worked in became a hit. With a strong screen presence, even in secondary or side roles, he would literally steal the show , often overshadowing the lead actor. This was primarily due to his remarkable dialogue delivery.His dialogues from the movies Waqt,Paakeejah, Neel Kamal cannot fade away from the memory of movie buffs and need no recalling here.

The word ‘hum’ uttered by him umpteen of times, always had the desired impact, hardly seeming out of sync with his persona, on or off screen.His oft repeated ‘Jaani’ became equally popular.He also played romantic roles with ease . He worked in block busters like Mother India,Dil Ek Mandir,Waqt,Dil Apna aur Preet Parayi, Mere Huzoor, Ujala, Kajal, Maryada, Neel Kamal,Heer Ranjha Paakeejah , Saudagar. Tiranga etc and acted with élan . Though not a crowd puller like the famous trio of Dev Anand , Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor , he was cast in a different mould and was a class by himself.

Our tributes to this stalwart of Hindi Cinema !

Dilip Sardesai

Today is the death anniversary of Dilip Sardesai, an Indian Cricketer.He was considered the best batsman against spin bowling.His excellent batting during the 1970-71 tour of West Indies made possible the first ever Indian victory against West Indies on their soil.He had an impressive batting average of 39.23 & 41.75 in Test and First Class cricket.He scored two double centuries and three centuries in test cricket . He also scored a double century in First class Cricket besides 24 centuries.He was also the only Goa born player to play for India.

Our humble tributes to the great cricketer !

Herman Karl Hesse

Today is the 140th birth anniversary of Herman Karl Hesse, the German born Swiss novelist, essayist,short story writer & poet . The film Siddhartha based on his novel of the same name featured Shashi Kapoor and Simi Garewal.

He was a recipient of Goethe Prize and Nobel Prize in Literature , both of which he won in 1946.

Our humble tributes !

Ernest Hemingway

Today is the death anniversary of Ernest Hemingway, the American novelist.He is a celebrated author of the twentieth century. He was economical with words but never appeared terse and always wrote a gripping narrative which had an influence on other writers also. His novel A Farewell to Arms was based on his first hand experience of the First World War when he had enlisted for Ambulance drivers.Similarly he had come up with For Whom the Bell Tolls after the Spanish Civil War which he had covered as a journalist .

He won Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 for The Old Man and the Sea .

A man full of adventure during his entire life and the one who taught a message of patience and hope , it is ironical that he ended his life on this day in 1961 by committing suicide.

Our humble tributes to the great author !

Abrar Alvi

Today is the birth anniversary of Abrar Alvi, the Indian film director,screenplay/story/ dialogue writer and actor.Born this day in 1927, he remained active in the '50s and '60 and was a regular member of Guru Dutt's team.He was associated with the all time great films like Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, Pyaasa,Kaagaz ke Phool, Aar Paar,Mr.& Mrs 55, Chaudhawin ka haand, Professor,Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi,Saathi, Suraj, Manoranjan , Bairaag,Sangharsh,Laila Majnu,Hamare Tumhare ,Guddu and many others.He acted in the film Laila Majnu and 12 O'clock.The film Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam won Persistent's Silver medal for the best feature film and Abrar Alvi was awarded The Filmfare Award for Best Director for the same film.

Our humble tributes to the multi talented, great film personality !

Sepoy Kamal Ram Gurjar,VC

Today is the death anniversary of Sepoy Kamal Ram Gurjar, VC. He was a Sepoy in the #rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army . He exhibited extraordinary valour and bravery on 12th May, 1944 while fighting the German Forces , somewhere in Italy during the second World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross , the highest gallantry award given to British and Commonwealth soldiers . The King George VI himself decorated him by pinning the Medal on his chest. He was the second youngest Indian soldier to achieve the distinction. He rose to be a Subedar and died this day in 1982. 
Our humble tribute to the bravest of the brave soldier !