November 15

Born in 1592 in Moravia, John Amos Comenius became bishop of the Unity of the Brethren before facing exile. He revolutionized pedagogy with innovative teaching methods that emphasized universal education and visual aids. His seminal work Didactica Magna outlined structured curricula and accessible textbooks for learners of all ages. A philosopher of education, he believed schooling should nurture both moral and intellectual development. Comenius acted as a diplomat among Protestant leaders across Europe, promoting educational reform. He died on November 15, 1670, and is celebrated as the father of modern educational theory.

Born in 1858 in Épinal, France. Durkheim studied at the École Normale Supérieure and later taught sociology at multiple universities. He authored foundational works such as 'The Division of Labor in Society' and 'Suicide'. Durkheim established sociology as a formal academic discipline with rigorous methodology. His theories on social cohesion and collective consciousness shaped modern social science. He died in 1917, leaving an enduring influence on sociology and anthropology.

Vinoba Bhave was born in 1895 and became Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual successor in the Indian independence movement. In 1951, he launched the Bhoodan (Land Gift) movement, persuading landowners to donate land to the landless. His philosophy combined Gandhian principles of nonviolence, self-sufficiency, and rural development. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955, Bhave traveled across India on foot, speaking to villagers and leaders. He founded numerous ashrams and promoted education, khadi, and communal harmony. Bhave’s writings on philosophy, ethics, and social reform influenced generations of activists. He died in 1982, remembered as a champion of grassroots reconciliation and equitable land distribution.