January2

Government set up a Board of Editors under Dr. Syed Mahmood to prepare a history of Freedom Movement in India.

University established at Berhampur in Orrisa State.

Mahatma Gandhi met Lord Bevin, the personal emissary of British Prime Minister Winston Churchil, in Delhi. Beven is reported to have told the great man, ''Eighteen languages, 500 dialects, some 30 religions, a million Gods and Goddesses, 300 million individuals, an infinity of castes and sub castes, and a population (that is) practically illiterate and half of which (are) beggars or thieves... Good luck, sir! Such a nation is ungovernable! It'd take you centuries to get anywhere!''. Gandhiji wrapped his large, white shawl a little more closely around him, and modestly replied, 'India has eternity before her.. and "All around me is utter darkness".

Mannathu Padmanabhan, great social worker and first president of the Tranvancore Devasworn Board, was born at Perunna village, Kerala State.

Jainendra Kumar, famous Hindi novelist and patriot, was born.

Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, famous Ragi and reluctant politician, was born in Sangrur's backward Gadarhiani village.

Kirtivardhan Bhagwat Jha Azad, cricketer (Indian off-spin all-rounder in 7 Tests 1981-83), was born in Purnea, Bihar.

Raman Lamba, cricketer (Indian opening batsman 1986-87), was born in Meerut.

Monks started living in Belur Math.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, great industrialist, leader and former Chief Minister of Orissa, died.

Mazharul Haque, greatest social worker, politician, nationalist, poet, journalist and writer, died.

Raichaudhary Ambikagiri, nationalist Asamia poet, died.

Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, author of timeless classics 'Charitraheen' and 'Grihadaha', chosen novelist of the century in an online poll conducted by a literary magazine.

Robert Clive again attacked and annexed Calcutta from Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.

Thiruvananthapuram airport declared India's fifth International Airport.

Warden's in Arambaug, India lead about a fifty hungry and bruised elephants into a forest for temporary shelter. After a week, the herd strayed from a santuary, stampeding villagers and terrorising peasants.

Allahabad court allows 'darshan' at Ayodhya.

Gavaskar gets twin tons for India for the third time (vs West Indies).

Bihar wins team titles in both men's and women's sections in national archery. Limba Ram and Purnima Mahato, both of Bihar, win individual crowns in men's and women's sections respectively. Turkey's `Pocket Hercules', weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu, who captured three Olympic gold medals, calls it a day in Ankara.

Surya Sekar Ganguly (Goodricke National Academy) wins the Junior National chess championship in Sivakasi.

After the Battle of Plassey, Clive, Britisher, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, Mir Jafar, Nawab of Bengal and re-captured Calcutta, after it had been seized by the Nawab of Bengal who had used the "Black Hole" to imprison British captives.

Vir Bhai Kotwal sacrificed his life.

Nehru threatens Indian action to stop Pakistani raids into Kashmir.

P. Shivshankar resigns as Opposition Leader in Rajya Sabha.

Election panel made one member body again; Election Commissioners S. S. Dhanoa and V. S. Seigell removed.

Central Ministers Cabinet approved that elections will take place after the death of any independent candidate.

India and Pakistan resume talks after a gap of 16 months.

Landslide win for GNLF in the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council elections.

Capt. Nivedita Bhasin, 26, becomes the youngest woman pilot in world civil aviation history to command a jet aircraft.