In the early 1980s, long before Greta Thunberg became a global symbol of youth activism, another young girl captured the world's attention with her message of peace. Samantha Smith, born on June 29, 1972, in Houlton, Maine, became an international icon for her efforts to bridge the gap between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Samantha's journey to fame began in 1982 when, at the age of ten, she wrote a letter to Yuri Andropov, the leader of the Soviet Union. In her letter, she expressed her fears about nuclear war and asked why the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States were so tense. Her simple yet profound question resonated with many, and to the surprise of the world, Andropov responded. He invited Samantha and her family to visit the Soviet Union, an invitation they accepted in July 1983. This trip was widely covered by the media, and Samantha became known as "America's Youngest Ambassador."

During her visit, Samantha met with Soviet leaders and citizens, promoting a message of peace and friendship between the two superpowers. Her efforts did not go unnoticed; she was praised for her courage and became a symbol of hope for a more peaceful world. Upon her return to the United States, she continued to advocate for peace, even writing a book titled "Journey to the Soviet Union."

Tragically, Samantha Smith's life was cut short. She died on August 25, 1985, at the age of 13. The cause of her death was a plane crash near Lewiston, Maine, which also claimed the lives of her father and six other passengers. The accident was attributed to pilot error, but it did not take long for conspiracy theories to emerge. Some speculated that the crash was not an accident but a deliberate act to silence Samantha due to her influential peace advocacy. However, no credible evidence has ever supported these claims, and they remain unfounded theories. 

Despite her brief life, Samantha Smith's legacy endures. She is remembered as a young girl who dared to ask for peace and understanding in a time of global tension. 

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on 24 May 1899 at Churulia, Bardhaman. He joined the British Indian Army in 1917 and served as a soldier during World War I. He was posted in the Karachi regiment of the British Indian Army during his service in World War I. He left his position in the army in 1920. (The Jallianwala Bagh massacre  took place on 13 April 1919) His experiences in the army exposed him to the harsh realities of colonial rule and the injustices faced by Indian soldiers serving under British command. This period was formative for Nazrul, as it deepened his sense of patriotism and fueled his desire to fight against oppression and inequality. 

Kazi Nazrul Islam's first wife was Nargis A'sar Khanam he niece of Ali Akbar Khan, during his stay in Daulatpur, Comilla, also known as Sayada Khatun. However, their marriage was not consummated and is mired in controversy. While the wedding was finalized, Nazrul Islam left the ceremony after a disagreement about where they would reside after marriage.  

Kazi Nazrul Islam's second wife was Begum Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose birth name was Pramila Sen Gupta. Pramila Sen Gupta was born on February 12, 1904 at Comilla, which is located in present-day Bangladesh. Pramila Sen Gupta married Kazi Nazrul Islam on April 25, 1924. The marriage took place in Kolkata (then Calcutta), India. She passed away on December 3, 1962 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

After the war, Nazrul returned to India and began to express his disillusionment with British rule through his writings. He became increasingly involved in the political and cultural movements that sought to challenge colonial authority and advocate for Indian self-rule. 

Kazi Nazrul Islam suffered from a serious and progressive neurological disorder in his later years, which left him terminally ill. In 1942, he was diagnosed with Pick's disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This condition led to a gradual decline in his health, affecting his cognitive functions and eventually rendering him unable to speak or recognize people. After the partition of India in 1947, Nazrul chose to live in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). 

Due to his illness, Nazrul spent many years receiving treatment and care. He was initially treated in Vienna and later in India and Bangladesh. Despite his condition, he was revered as the national poet of Bangladesh, and he received care and respect until his death on August 29, 1976,  at the age of 77 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• 1861: Rabindranath Tagore is born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Debendranath Tagore.

• 1878: At age 17, Tagore sails to England, attends school in Brighton, and briefly studies law at University College London, but leaves without a degree.

• 1880: Returns to Bengal without a degree, aiming to blend European ideas with Brahmo traditions.

• 1883: Marries 10-year-old Mrinalini Devi, against common Brahmo Samaj rules.

• 1886: Madhurilata Debi (Bela) first daughter of Rabindranath Tagore  born on 25 October.

• 1888: Rathindranath Tagore son of Rabindranath Tagore born on 27 November at Jorasanko, Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.

• 1890: Renuka Debi (Rani) second daughter of Rabindranath Tagore born.

• 1892: Mira Debi (Atasi)  third daughter of Rabindranath Tagore was born.

• 1896: Samindranath Tagore (Sami) second son of Rabindranath Tagore was born 12 December.

• 1901: Founds an experimental school at Shantiniketan, blending Indian and Western traditions.

• 1902: Rabindranath Tagore's wife, Mrinalini Devi, died on 23 November 1902 after a brief illness at the age of 29.

• 1903: Renuka Debi (Rani) second daughter of Rabindranath Tagore died at the age of 13 in Kolkata.

• 1907: Samindranath Tagore (Sami) second son of Rabindranath Tagore died 23 Nov 1907 in Monghyr, Bihar due to cholera at the age of 11.

• 1910: Rathindranath Tagore Married Pratima Devi on 27 January.

• 1912: Visits the USA, spending time with his son Rathindranath at the University of Illinois, and connects with the Urbana Unitarian Church.

• 1913: English translation of Gitanjali published; Tagore wins the Nobel Prize in Literature. The first Asian to received the award.

• 1917: Madhurilata Debi (Bela) first daughter of Rabindranath Tagore  died  at age of 31 in Kolkata.

• 1912–1930: Visits the USA five times, building strong connections there.

• 1940: Sends a telegram to US President Roosevelt after Paris falls in WWII, urging the US to stand against global disaster.

• 1941: Rabindranath Tagore dies in Calcutta on August 7.

• 1951: Rathindranath Tagore became Vice Chancellor, Visva-Bharati University on 14 May.

• 1961: Rathindranath Tagore died on 3 June, Dehradun, India.

• 1962: Mira Debi (Atasi)  third daughter of Rabindranath Tagore died at Santiniketan at the age of 70.

The phrase "Before all else, be armed" is often attributed to Niccolò Machiavelli, the renowned Italian political philosopher and writer. This quote is derived from his seminal work, "The Prince," which is a treatise on political strategy and governance. In the context of Machiavelli's writings, the phrase emphasizes the importance of being prepared and having the means to defend oneself and one's interests.

In "The Prince," Machiavelli discusses the necessity for a ruler to maintain a strong military and be ready for conflict. He argues that a prince (or leader) must be armed to protect his state and ensure his own survival. This idea reflects Machiavelli's pragmatic and sometimes ruthless approach to politics, where the end often justifies the means.

Here are some key points related to Machiavelli's philosophy on being armed:

1. Military Strength : Machiavelli believed that a ruler should have a strong military to defend against external threats and maintain internal order.

2. Self-Reliance : He advocated for rulers to rely on their own forces rather than mercenaries or auxiliaries, as they are more loyal and reliable.

3. Preparedness : Being armed means being prepared for any eventuality, whether it is a military conflict, political intrigue, or internal unrest.

4. Power and Authority : Machiavelli saw military power as a crucial component of a ruler's authority and ability to govern effectively.

This quote underscores Machiavelli's emphasis on practicality and the necessity of being proactive in securing one's position and interests.

India has been a popular destination for foreign travelers for centuries, attracting explorers, scholars, traders, and tourists from around the world. Here are some notable foreign travelers who have visited India in the past:

1. Ancient and Medieval Travelers:

   - Megasthenes (4th century BCE): A Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, he wrote extensively about India in his work "Indica."

   - Fa-Hien (5th century CE): A Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India to study Buddhist scriptures and wrote about his journey in "A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms."

   - Hiuen Tsang (7th century CE): Another Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during the reign of Emperor Harshavardhana and documented his travels in "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions."

   - Al-Biruni (11th century CE): A Persian scholar who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India and wrote "Tarikh Al-Hind," a comprehensive study of Indian culture, science, and religion.

   - Ibn Battuta (14th century CE): A Moroccan explorer who visited India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq and wrote about his experiences in "The Rihla."

2. Colonial Era Travelers:

   - Vasco da Gama (15th century CE): A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India, marking the beginning of European colonialism in the region.

   - William Hodges (18th century CE): An English painter who traveled to India with the East India Company and created numerous landscapes and portraits.

   - Thomas and William Daniell (18th-19th century CE): An uncle-nephew duo of English artists who produced a series of aquatint prints titled "Oriental Scenery," depicting Indian landscapes and architecture.

3. Modern Travelers:

   - Mark Twain (1896): The American author visited India as part of his around-the-world lecture tour and wrote about his experiences in "Following the Equator."

   - The Beatles (1968): The famous British band visited Rishikesh to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, which had a significant impact on their music.

   - Steve Jobs (1974): The co-founder of Apple traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment, which he later credited with influencing his approach to business and design.

These travelers, among many others, have contributed to the world's understanding and appreciation of India's rich cultural heritage, history, and diversity.

“The massacres perpetuated by Muslims in India are unparalleled in history, bigger than the Holocaust of the Jews by the Nazis or the massacre of the Armenians by the Turks; more extensive even than the slaughter of the South American native populations by the invading Spanish and Portuguese.”