Today in history: 202 years ago, on 12 July 1823, the first Indian steam paddle steamer 'Diana', a merchant vessel, was built by Kyds in Kidderpore, Calcutta (now Kolkata) and was launched into the sea near Kolkata. Later, it was purchased by the East India Company.

Today in history: 64 years ago, on July 12, 1961, Pune experienced devastating floods due to the failure of the Panshet dam and subsequent breach of the Khadakwasla dam. The Panshet dam, still under construction, failed in its first year of operation, releasing a large volume of

Today in history: 51 years ago, India played its first One Day International (ODI) cricket match on July 13, 1974, against England at Headingley in Leeds. Captains of both teams were Ajit Wadekar (India) and Mike Denness (England). England won the match by 4 wickets.

135 years old photo of Marimallapa High School in Mysore, Karnataka was taken in 1890 AD.

159 years old group photo of students of the matriculation class of Bangalore High School of Bengaluru in Karnataka was taken in 1866 AD.

160 years old photo of a group of Muslim students of Lord Harris School at Royapettah in Chennai in Tamil Nadu was taken in 1865 AD.

160 years old photo of three Indian teachers and one European teacher of Lord Harris School at Royapettah in Chennai in Tamil Nadu was taken in 1865 AD.

152 years old photo of students of a class of Elphinstone High School of Mumbai was taken in 1873 AD.

152 years old photo of the Girls' School class at Karachi was taken in 1873 AD. Karachi was then in the Sindh province of the Bombay Presidency of British India.

Remembering a yoga guru, Hindu spiritual teacher, proponent of Vedanta and founder of the Divine Life Society, Swami Sivananda (1887 – 1963) on his 62nd Nirvana anniversary today. He was one of the greatest Saints of India of the 20th century. We pay our homage & tribute to him.

Today in history: 83 years ago, on July 14, 1942, the Congress Working Committee met in Wardha and passed a resolution authorising Mahatma Gandhi to launch a mass civil disobedience movement. This resolution, known as the "Quit India" resolution, demanded immediate independence

KATHI PEOPLE OF GUJARAT: Historians believe that Kathi were Scythians. They came to Saurashtra & Kutch around 7 or 8 century from Sindh. Saurashtra is known as Kathiawad. In the 7th or 8th century, Kathis came to Kutch from Sindh & settled in Kutch. Their capital

For ages, Arab traders had trade relations with Kutch. They were settled in the Mundra area. They used to eat dates & throw away seeds on the river banks. Kharek plants grew from date seeds. Kharek is date, but due to lower temperature of Kutch than Arab countries, it could not

Portuguese words in the Gujarati language -Hafus & Payari(mango), Ananas (pineapple), Coffee, Kaju, Batata, Tameta, Tambaku, Angrej, Engineer/Ijner, Papaiya, Kobi, Paun/Pav (bread), Chirut, Angreji, Almari, Istri, Baldi, Mej, Mosambi, Sabu, Jugar (gambling) & Aaya (nurse).

It is believed that "Bajari"-millet was brought in Gujarat from Iran by Kutch ruler Lakha Phulani in 10th century. In 16th century Portuguese brought coffee,tobacco,potato & tomato,groundnuts,corn,papaya,pineapple,guava,chikoo,cashew,capsicum,chilli & Rajma.Britisher brought tea.

In 15th century Gujarat Sultnat's Amir Khudawandkhan Malik Alim, started poppy, fig, watermelon & bamboo farming in Gujarat by bringing its plants & seeds from South India. Sultnat Amir Khudawandkhan Malik Alim was an expert archer & polo player. He founded Alimpur in Ahmedabad.

I Just arrived in San Francisco from Ahmedabad, in the beginning of my U.S. visit. My posting of tweets will be irregular for some period.