First In India - Male

1) The first president of Republic India - Dr Rajendra Prasad.

2) The first Prime Minister of India - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

3) The first Indian who win Nobel prize - Rabindranath Tagore.

4) The first President of Indian National Congress - W.C. Banerjee.

5) The first Muslim President of Indian National Congress - Baddrudin Tayyabaji.

6) The first British Governal General of India - Warren Hastings.

7) The first British Viceroy of India - Lord Canning.

8) The first Governor General of Free India - Lord Mountbatten.

9) The first and Last Indian to be Governal General of free India - C. Rajgopalachari.

10) The first man who invented Printing Press in India - James Hicky.

11) The first Indian to join L.C.S. - Satyendra Nath Tadore.

12) India's first man in Space - Rakesh Sharma.

13) The first Chief of Army Staff - Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji.

14) The first Indian Commander-in-Chief of India - General Cariappa.

15) The first field marshal of India - S.H.F. Manekshaw.

16) The first Indian member of the Viceroy's Executive council - S.P. Sinha.

17) The first Prime Minister of India who did not face the Parliment - Charan Singh.

18) The first Primr Minister who resigned without completing the full term - Mararji Desai.

19) The first Indian to get Nobel prize in Physics - C.V. Raman.

20) The first Indian to receive Bharat Ratna Award - Dr. Radhakrishnan.

BAKRID

Bakrid, or Idul-Azha is the festival of sacrifice. It is the second of the two festivals of Islam. This festival is observed by Muslims all over the world. It falls on the 10^th of Dhul-Hagg, the last month of the lunar year. It is a celebration of Abraham’s willingness to offer his only son as a sacrifice at God’s command.

In Kerala as in other parts of the world, this day dawns with the echoing of Thakbir (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that God is great. Every Muslim wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity. All dress in their best attire, and recite the Thakbir  and proceed for public prayers.

The whole atmosphere is filled with the prayer of “Allahu-Akbar.” The Imam leads the prayer and advises the devotees to be conscious of their duties to God, and follow the example of Abraham. After the prayer and the sermon, they hug each other and exchange greetings as an expression of affectionate brotherhood.

The festival at home begins with hearty feasts followed by social visits. Women enjoy this occasion by paying visit to the neighbouring houses and engage in singing and dancing. Special meetings are held in Kerala when distinguished members of sister communities participate. This serves to foster brotherly relationship among members of various communities. A spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding and universal brotherhood pervades such gatherings . 

DUSSEHRA

Dussehra is the festival of victory of goodness over evil. Dussehra is celebrated on the 10^th day of month of Ashwin. Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days from September end to early October. It has special significance in Mysore. In some other parts of the country it is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi. In kerala thousands of small children are initiated to learning by making them write the first letter in rice with their finger.

There are two stories about Dussera. 

One of it says that Goddess Durga became victorious over Mahishasura on this day. As per second story Lord Rama, the 7^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu became victorious over demon Ravana on this day. It is celebrated to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of worrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.

In North India, episodes from Ramayana are staged in the form of Ramlila in connection with Dussehra celebrations. Big effigies of demon Ravana filled with crackers are installed on the ground. Effigies of Kumbhakarna, brother of Ravana and Meghanath are also placed. They will be burnt in the evening as a symbol of victory of Rama over Demons.

It is celebrated with great fanfare in Kullu, Varanasi, Mysore, and in West Bengal it is slightly different as Durga puja. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi.

NAVARATRI

Navratri is a very important Hindu festival celebrated in India, which is devoted to Goddess Durga. The festival is celebrated with great reverence and faith across the country. The nine days being dedicated to one of the nine forms of the Goddess. 

India is a country of festivals and celebration. It has a very rich historical and cultural background. Each Indian festival has a proper meaning, reason and significance behind its celebration. Fun and enjoyment are the aspects of the festivals, which sets the festive mood. Navratri, as the name suggests, means nine nights. It is one of the important Hindu festivals. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, the deity of Power. Like other festivals of India, Navratri also has a significance and meaning attached to it. Each day of the nine-day festival are dedicated to the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga, which unfolds the religious importance of the occasion.

Navaratri is very much women’s festival. during this month women bring down gulu dolls handed down for years in a family. They dust them lovingly and arrange them in “golu padi” or in steps. These are usually make shift benches and are made up of old boxes, cases etc. covered with the white cloth. They also buy new dolls to make delicacies as well as other essential like blouse bits, thamboolam etc.

During navaratri women invite their friends, relative and neighbors to see their gulu. It is only women folk who are invited.

Nine different types of sundal and rice dishes are made each day. Sundal is  navaratri essential. These dishes served to guest are given to take back home too. They are given the traditional thamboolam, a blouse piece, a small mirror, a comb and a kumkum container.

The ninth day of navaratri is Ayudh pooja. People pay respect to the implements (ayudham) they make use of tools such as scissors, knives, agricultural implements, factory machinery, computers etc. are considered sacrred and prayers are offered.

This day is also the day of Saraswati Pooja. An idol or a picture of the goddess kept along with the books, musical instruments etc. prayers are offered to the goddess and children are generally urged to pray hard, so that they will score well in the exams.

The tenth day is vijaya dasami. On this day, after the Pooja the dolls are all packed neatly in their boxes and taken back to the loft, where they will lie till next navaratri.

GANDHI JAYANTI

It is the birthday of Gandhiji our beloved father of the nation. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2^nd October 1869. It was the at Porbandar in Kathiawar in Gujarat. We celebrate Gandhi Jayanti to recall the greatest contribution made by Gandhiji, and pay homage to the father of our nation.

He had no message other than his life. His philosophy of non-violence astonished British rulers and the leaders of the world. He was able to lead India to freedom through non violence and Satyagraha. He had set up an example to the world that freedom can be won without bloodshed.

On this day special functions are organized at Keerthi Mandir, the birth housr of Gandhiji. National leaders pay homage to Gandhiji at the Raj Ghat in New Delhi.

In schools and colleges, special functions are organized. Special talks and seminars are organized on Gandhian philosophy . A week or two are declare as Labour weeks in schools and colleges.

Student do social work following the footstep of this great leader, thus Gandhi lives in the lives of millions of people all over the world.