Baba Amte’s 104th Birthday

Today’s slideshow Doodle follows and honors the life and legacy of Indian social worker and activist Murlidhar Devidas Amte, affectionately known as Baba Amte (Father Amte). Amte dedicated his life to serving those in need, especially those afflicted with leprosy.

On this day in 1914, Amte was born into a  wealthy family in Maharashtra, India. Exposed early on to a life of privilege, he would hunt wild animals, play sports, and drive luxurious cars. He went on to study law and  was running his own successful firm by his 20s. Despite his upbringing however, Amte was aware of India’s class inequalities throughout his childhood.

By his 30s, Amte left his practice in order to work alongside the underprivileged. As he set off on his mission, he met Indu Ghuleshastri, whose kindness to an elderly servant touched Amte, and the two married soon after. 

Amte’s life was changed forever when he encountered a man suffering from leprosy. The sight of the man’s decaying body filled him with overwhelming fear. Confronting that fear, Amte identified the state of “mental leprosy” that allowed people to feel apathetic in the face of this dreaded affliction. He said that the most frightening disease is not losing one’s limbs, but losing one’s strength to feel kindness and compassion. 

Dedicating his life to the cause, Amte defied the social stigmas faced by leprosy patients by injecting himself with bacilli to prove that the disease was not highly contagious. in 1949 he established Anandwan—meaning “Forest of Bliss”—a self-sufficient village and rehabilitation center for leprosy patients.

A strong believer in national unity, Amte launched the first Knit India March in 1985. At age 72, he walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, a distance of more than 3,000 miles with the simple purpose to inspire unity in India. In a time of national strife, Amte was accompanied by 100 men and 16 women, all under the age of 35. He organized a second march three years later, traveling over 1800 miles from Assam to Gujarat.

In recognition of Amte’s tireless work, he went on to win the 1971 Padma Shri Award, the 1988 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights, and the 1999 Gandhi Peace Prize. His legacy lives on through his two sons who share their father’s sense of compassion.

On what would have been his 104th birthday, we salute Babe Amte for a lifetime of service to humanity.
 

Doodle by Vrinda Zaveri

26.12.2018-Wednesday-புதன்-Doodle by Vrinda Zaveri-Baba Amte’s 104th Birthday-PNG

26.12.2018-Wednesday-புதன்-Doodle by Vrinda Zaveri-Baba Amte’s 104th Birthday-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Day 3)

25.12.2018-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Day 3)-PNG

Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 3)

It’s that festive time of year again!

Sending along holiday cheer to you

& 

your loved ones during this merry time.

Happy Holidays!

25.12.2018-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 3)-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 3)

It’s that festive time of year again!

Sending along holiday cheer to you

& 

your loved ones during this merry time.

Happy Holidays!

25.12.2018-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 3)-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Day 2)

24.12.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Day 2)-PNG

Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 2)

Reported sightings of an unidentified flying object near the North Pole can now be confirmed. Radar scopes are picking up a large jolly blip accompanied by eight tiny blips, and a bright red light has been spotted throughout the polar vortex. Children are advised to be nice, not naughty and remain in bed until further notice. Be advised that this UFO may contain candy canes and good tidings for all!

Happy Holidays!

24.12.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 2)-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 2)

Reported sightings of an unidentified flying object near the North Pole can now be confirmed. Radar scopes are picking up a large jolly blip accompanied by eight tiny blips, and a bright red light has been spotted throughout the polar vortex. Children are advised to be nice, not naughty and remain in bed until further notice. Be advised that this UFO may contain candy canes and good tidings for all!

Happy Holidays!

24.12.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 2)-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Day 1)

Joy to the world! During this time, folks around the world come together to share laughter, light, and festive feasts—all accompanied by songs of the season. However you choose to celebrate this merry season, we wish you nothing but joy and fulfillment.

Happy Holidays!

23.12.2018-Sunday-ஞாயிறு-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Day 1)-PNG

Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 1)

With his bags packed and reindeers well fed, Santa departs for his adventure around the world. Keep an eye out for a blinking red nose or visit our Santa Tracker to follow along the way.

Happy Holidays!

23.12.2018-Sunday-ஞாயிறு-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Northern Hemisphere Day 1)-GIF

Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 1)

With his bags packed and reindeers well fed, Santa departs for his adventure around the world. Keep an eye out for a blinking red nose or visit our Santa Tracker to follow along the way.

Happy Holidays!

23.12.2018-Sunday-ஞாயிறு-Doodle-Holidays 2018 (Southern Hemisphere Day 1)-GIF

Mother's Day (Indonesia) 2018

22.12.2018-Saturday-சனி-Doodle-Mother's Day (Indonesia) 2018-PNG

Teresa Carreño’s 165th Birthday

Born in Caracas on this day in 1853, María Teresa Carreño García de Sena grew up in a musical family. Her father, a government minister descended from a distinguished composer, taught her to play piano at age six. By the time she was eight, her family moved to New York City, where Teresa began studying with the composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk, who was so impressed by her talents that he volunteered to teach her. She soon progressed to public performances. One 1862 review hailed her as a “musical phenomenon,” adding that it was “difficult to believe that it was the performance of a child.”

Carreño was nine years old when she performed for President Abraham Lincoln in the White House during the fall of 1863. ”The President and his family received us so informally,” she wrote in a letter. “They were all so very nice to me that I almost forgot to be cranky under the spell of their friendly welcome. My self-consciousness all returned, however, when Mrs. Lincoln asked me if I would like to try the White House grand piano.”

Carreno went on to study in Paris with distinguished teachers like Georges Mathias and Anton Rubenstein. She composed approximately 75 works—including the ‘Himno a Bolívar’ written in honor of national hero Simón Bolívar at the request of the Venezuelan government. Well known to all Venezuelans, this patriotic song is as familiar as the national anthem.
Her name also lives on via Miami’s nonprofit Teresa Carreño International Piano Competition, recognizing and encouraging artistry in young players.

Happy Birthday, Teresa Carreño!

22.12.2018-Saturday-சனி-Doodle-Teresa Carreño’s 165th Birthday-PNG

Connie Mark’s 95th Birthday

Today’s Doodle honors the life and legacy of trailblazer Connie Mark, who served in the women’s branch of the British army in Jamaica during World War II. Later moving from her native Jamaica to England, she became a community activist, promoting Caribbean culture and ensuring that the women and people of color who contributed to the war effort received equal recognition.



Connie Mark was born Constance Winifred McDonald in Kingston, Jamaica on this day in 1923. While her family tree included ancestors from Scotland, Calcutta, and Lebanon, Mark also had roots in Africa and grew up speaking Jamaican Patois (also known as Jamaican Creole) with roots in the Ghanaian language Twi. 

At age 19, Mark was recruited to work in the British Military Hospital of Kingston as a medical secretary, typing reports of battle injuries. Although she was promoted twice during her service spanning a decade, Mark was denied the usual pay raise for unknown reasons. Due to this, she became an unwavering advocate for fair pay and continued advocating for proper recognition of Caribbean servicewomen throughout her life.

After settling in Britain in the 1950s, Mark became even more passionate about Caribbean culture and joined several charitable and educational projects. She organized community events, using oral history and poetry to instill pride in the youth of Caribbean and African descent.

At the age of 68, Mark received the British Empire Medal, and two years later  was given a Member of the British Empire (MBE) award in recognition of a lifetime of public service.



Here’s to Connie Mark on what would have been her 95th birthday.

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Connie Mark’s 95th Birthday-PNG

Hanif Mohammad’s 84th Birthday

Today’s Doodle celebrates cricketer Hanif Mohammad, also known as “The Original Little Master.” The Pakistani batsman set numerous records in Test cricket—the sport’s highest level. He played the longest innings in history (16 hours), was the first Pakistani player to score a triple century, and held the highest individual score of 499 for three decades. He and his record-breaking athleticism are even credited with helping popularize cricket in Pakistan.

Born in Junagadh, India on this day in 1934, Mohammad grew up playing cricket in the street with his brothers. He excelled as a batsman, and after relocating to Pakistan at the age of thirteen, he was mentored by Abdul Aziz, a famous cricket player who recognized his potential. Hanif went on to play for teams representing Bahawalpur, Karachi, and Pakistan International Airlines and made his international debut against India in 1952.



Over the next 17 years, Mohammed played 55 test matches for Pakistan—11 of them as team captain—and scored a total of 3,915 runs. Considered one of the best batsmen ever to play the sport, Mohammad even surpassed the great Don Bradman’s record for the highest individual innings.

Following his retirement, Mohammed took up the position of Pakistan's batting consultant in 2002. Today,his son Shoaib and grandson Shehzar carry on the cricketer family tradition.




Happy Birthday, Hanif Mohammed!


21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Hanif Mohammad’s 84th Birthday-PNG

Summer Solstice_Southern Hemisphere_2018 Observed

Today we celebrate the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, also known as the Summer Solstice. As our earth circles the sun, the South Pole angles closest to the sun on December 21. 

The word “solstice” derives from the Latin sol for “sun” and sistere meaning “to come to a stop or make stand.” On this day in the Southern Hemisphere,  the sun ascends directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. While most of the world is experiencing winter, the sun shines 24 hours a day north of the Arctic—a natural wonder known as the Midnight Sun.

Everywhere from Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to Johannesburg and Jakarta, folks are enjoying this extra-long day by taking a break to bask in the late-night rays.

Happy Summer Solstice, Southern Hemisphere!

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Summer Solstice 2018 Observed (Southern Hemisphere)-GIF

Winter Solstice_Northern Hemisphere_2018 Observed

Today we celebrate the first day of winter and the longest night of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Winter Solstice. As our earth circles the sun, the North Pole angles farthest away from the sun today on December 21.

Today you can find the sun at its lowest position throughout the Northern Hemisphere sky. People around the world have celebrated this astronomical milestone for centuries. 

In Ireland, people gather days before the solstice at Newgrange – a massive gravesite that’s more than 5,000 years old. Crowds selected by lottery wait for a chance to see the sunrise light up the ancient passage tomb.  

At Stonehenge, crowds of people come together to celebrate and capture the moment when the sun directly aligns with the famous stones. 

In China, locals refer to the Winter Solstice as Dongzhi Festival, a celebration of winter’s arrival. Locals enjoy rice balls called tang yuan, which translates to “family reunion.” This treat is said to bring prosperity and unity—something all of us can enjoy on this auspicious day.

Happy Winter Solstice, Northern Hemisphere!

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Winter Solstice 2018 Observed (Northern Hemisphere)-PNG

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Winter Solstice 2018 Observed (Northern Hemisphere)-PNG

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Winter Solstice 2018 Observed (Northern Hemisphere)-GIF

21.12.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-Doodle-Winter Solstice 2018 Observed (Northern Hemisphere)-GIF

Qatar National Day 2018

A desert peninsula on the west coast of the Persian Gulf, Qatar is an independent constitutional emirate. Today the Qatari people celebrate their national day, as Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the second sheikh of the Al Thani dynasty, ascended to the throne exactly 140 years ago. Remembered as the founder of Qatar, he organized and centralized the land, setting it on a path to becoming one of the most diverse and prosperous nations in the region. His successor, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (1972–95), negotiated Qatar’s independence from Great Britain in 1971, becoming the first emir. 

Elaborate celebrations are planned to mark this year’s National Day, with an emphasis on the principles and values of Qatari society. The official theme for this year’s celebration, “as long as it was proven by our deeds,” was inspired by a poem written by Qatar’s founder. In the capital city of Doha, parades and fireworks will take place, while in the Katara Cultural Village, centuries-old traditions of weaving, falconry, and pearl-diving come to life.

Happy National Day, Qatar!

18.12.2018-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle-Qatar National Day 2018-GIF

Paul Klee's 139th Birthday

Influenced by movements such as cubism, surrealism, and expressionism, Paul Klee explored numerous styles to develop his own approach to art-making—both rigorous and childlike—which defies categorization.Today’s Doodle pays homage to his Rote Brücke (Red Bridge), a 1928 work that transforms the rooftops and arches of a European city into a pattern of shapes rendered in contrasting yet harmonious hues. As Klee wrote in his diary, in 1914: “Color and I are one… I am a painter.”

Born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland on this day in 1879, Klee was the son of a German music teacher and a Swiss singer. An accomplished violinist, Klee played in a symphony orchestra before dedicating himself  to becoming a painter. He brought a musical sense of rhythm to the visual arts.

Sketching landscapes and caricatures even in his early teens, Klee began keeping meticulous records of all his creations in 1911, whether panel paintings, works on paper, graphics, or sculptures. He studied dots, lines, planes, and forms observed from nature—whether from the fish tank he kept at home or the veins seen on leaves or the human body—applying his observations to a vast body of work.

Along with his neighbor, the famous Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, Klee was affiliated with an influential circle of artists known as Der Blaue Reiter, which lasted from 1911 to 1914. He went on to teach at the Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany during the 1920s, and the Pedagogical Sketchbook he wrote for the benefit of his students is still used today.

Klee never stopped pushing his creativity forward, producing a large number of works every year. In the year 1939, near the end of his career, he completed a record 1,239 works. “Some will not recognize the truthfulness of my mirror,” Klee wrote in his diary. “Let them remember that I am not here to reflect the surface... but must penetrate inside. My mirror probes down to the heart.”

Happy Birthday, Paul Klee!

18.12.2018-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle-Paul Klee's 139th Birthday-PNG