17 August - India on this day20 events

CBI seizes another Rs. 65 lakhs from Sukh Ram's residence.

I K Gujral, Prime Minister, said that Queen Elizabeth should not go to Amritsar, scene of Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, during her visit to India in October.

Romesh Chunder Dutt, great political leader, writer and social worker, was born.

Y.R. Lokurkar, senior journalist, was born.

Amritlal Naagar was born.

V.S. Naipaul, great Indian writer, was born.

Murasoli Shanmuga Sundram Maran was born in Thirukkuvalai village in Thiruvarur (Tamil Nadu).

Madanlal Dhingra, famous revolutionary, was hanged at Paintanville Jail for assassinating Wyle and Lal Kaka.

William Carey, the first English missionary to India, was born. He taught at the newly founded Fort William College at Calcutta from 1801 till his death and helped found the Serampore Press, which made the Bible accessible to over 300 million people.

The first British troop leaves for England after Indian independence.

The first microwave link, which was set up without foreign assistance, was commissioned between Asansol, Dhanbad and Ranchi.

The Government issues a notification banning the use of quinacrine, a controversial female contraceptive and sterilization agent.

National Human Rights Commission recommends compulsory registration of marriages in a bid to check child marriages.

Sir Ram Nath Chopra, noted professor of Pharmacology, was born.

In the Jehovah's Witnesses' case, the Supreme Court rules that "singing National Anthem is not obligatory".

Leander-Mahesh duo wins International ATP doubles in Connecticut.

Indian Viceroy Viscount Wavell rejects Gandhi's request to discuss war support in return for Indian independence.

Rajiv Gandhi announces Punjab state elections in India.

20 members of the Janata Dal led by Ajit Singh break away from the parent body seeking separate seats in the Lok Sabha.

Opposition ends Parliament boycott.