January31

The first floating Dry Dock was launched at Howrah.

Asia's first Sports University inaugurated in Pune.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India given statutory power as an autonomous body.

Dattatray Ramchandra Bendre, Bhartiya Gyanpeeth Award winner and Kannad poet, was born.

Smt. Sharda Bhaurao Diwan, educationalist, was born.

Gangadhar Mahambre, famous Mmarathi writer, was born.

Subroto Guha, cricketer (right arm swing bowler for India 1967-69), was born in Calcutta.

Merger of SCICI and ICICI confirmed with effect from 1/4/1996.

Milind Desai, 12, the youngest editor in Gujarati journalism, died of leukemia.

Cities swept by riots in wake of Gandhi murder.

Peacock declared as National Bird of India.

ISRO and Intelsat sign a $100 m 10-year-long agreement for leasing some of the capacity of the Indian-built INSAT-2E (scheduled for launch in 1997).

Government raises quantity of gold that can be brought into the country by non-residents to 10 kg. (from the existing 5).

INS Vikrant, Indian Navy's first aircraft carrier, de-commissioned.

Maharajas of Baroda and Kolhapur decide to merge their states with Bombay.

First Earth Satellite Explorer I was launched from Cape Kennedy.

Second Lieutenant Premindra Singh Bhagat of the Bombay Sappers showed an act of unparalleled bravery and inspiring leadership when commanding a detachment of 21 Field company of the Bombay Sappers on the road to Gondar, in Abyssinia. Hence, The Victoria Cross (VC) was bestowed upon him and he became the first Indian Commissioned Officer receipeant of The Victoria Cross (VC).

LTTE Supremo, V. Prabhakaran, declared offender in Rajiv Gandhi murder case and ordered to surrender by a Madras court.

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders plastic surgery to remove 'Jebkatri' (pickpocket) tattooed on the forehead of four women by Amritsar Police.

Milkha Singh at Lahore sets record for 200m in 20.7s.

Akbar's Vajir-E-Ajam 'Bairam Khan' was assassinated at Patan, Gujarat by an Afghan assassin Mubarak Khan Lohani ( whose father was slain by Bairam Khan) in the battle of Machiwara.

Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha, first Chief Minister of Bihar, passed away.

Saint Meherbaba passed away.

Shri Vishwanath More, famous music director, passed away.

Under the 52nd Constitutional Amendment, Anti-Defector Bill was passed unanimously in Lok Sabha. This avoided the Representatives of People to switch over political parties.

All seven accused in the Jain hawala case discharged.