If it’s your birthday today, you already have enough reasons to celebrate. You must already be feeling so special.
But we bring to you a few more reasons to feel special today!
Vladimir Putin
The current President of Russia, Vladimir Putin had humble beginnings — his mother was a factory worker and his father was compelled to join the Soviet Navy, as dictated by the government of the day. Putin was a law graduate from Saint Petersburg State University and joined the KGB, the erstwhile Soviet Union’s main security agency, as a foreign intelligence officer. Before joining politics in 1991, Putin retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the KGB.
Putin assumed the position of President for the second time in 2012. His first tenure as President was from 2000 to 2008.
Simon Cowell
If you’ve watched America’s Got Talent or even American Idol, you’re sure to be familiar with this name. Simon Cowell, possibly one of the most terrifying reality TV show judges, is known for his scathing comments and general snark. Here is a rare instance of Simon Cowell being literally moved to tears by a singer’s beautiful voice.
When he is not judging shows like ‘The X Factor’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and its ‘American counterpart’, Cowell is busy being a philanthropist.
He also is the main founder of British entertainment company ‘Syco’. Time magazine named him among the world’s 100 most influential people in 2004 and 2010.
Begum Akhtar
Born Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, Begum Akhtar came to a certain section of Hindustani classical music, with her raspy voice and formidable vocal range. She dabbled in Ghazal, Dadra and Thumri genres.
Initially trained under the renowned sarangi exponent Ustad Imdad Khan and later under Ata Mohammed Khan, Begum Akhtar went on to win the moniker ‘Mallika-e-Ghazal’. She was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the government of India. The ‘Queen of Ghazals’ may have passed away over four decades ago, but she continues to rule hearts.
Niels Bohr
Danish physicist Niels Bohr received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 and is known for creating the Bohr model of the atom. He is largely responsible for developing the foundation quantum theory as we know it today. In fact, the element Bohrium is named after him.
The founder of the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Copenhagen, Bohr has collaborated with eminent physicists like Hans Kramers, Oskar Klein, George de Hevesy, and Werner Heisenberg.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)