1. Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day
Tags: State News Important Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the state's 37th statehood day on February 20.
An overview of the news
Every year 20 February is celebrated as the foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh.
Through the 55th Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1986, Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of the India on February 20, 1987.
Historical Background
During British colonial rule, until 1972, the state was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
It became a Union Territory on January 20, 1972 and was named Arunachal Pradesh.
It was given full statehood by the Arunachal Pradesh State Act, 1986.
It was formed in the year 1987 by separating from Assam.
Geographical Situation
Arunachal Pradesh is bounded by Bhutan in the west and the Tibetan region of China in the north.
It is bounded by Nagaland and Myanmar in the South-Eastern region and Assam in the South-Western region.
Capital - Itanagar
Demography
Literacy rate of the state (as per Census 2011) 65.38% with male literacy rate 72.55% and females 57.70%.
Sex Ratio - 938 female per 1000 male (National- 943)
State Animal - Mithun (also known as Gayal)
State Bird - Hornbill
Protected Areas
Talle Wildlife Sanctuary (Protected area)
Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve
Namdapha Tiger Reserve
Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary
Important Festivals
Tawang Festival
Solung, Losar
Torgya
Dree
Murung
Chalo Loku
2. Mizoram Statehood Day
Tags: State News Important Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Mizoram on the state's foundation day on February 20.
An overview of the news
Every year 20 February is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Mizoram.
The state of Mizoram was formed on 20 February 1987 following the 53rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, 1986.
At the time of independence, the Mizo Hills region became the Lushai Hills district within Assam.
In 1954 it was renamed Mizo Hills District of Assam.
Mizoram was granted union territory status in 1972 following the signing of an important accord with the moderates of the Mizo National Front (MNF).
It became the 23rd full state of India on 20 February 1987.
Geographical Situation
International Border - Myanmar and Bangladesh
State boundary - Tripura (North-West), Assam (North) and Manipur (North-East).
Demography
It is the second least populous state in India after Sikkim.
Sex ratio - 975 females per 1000 males (at national level it is 943).
The literacy rate of the state is 91.58%. (National rate - 74.04%).
Protected Areas
Murlen National Park
Phawngpui National Park
Dampa Tiger Reserve
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary
Important Festivals
Chapchar Kut
Christmas Festival
Anthurium Festival
Lyuva Khutla Festival
3. UN recognised World Interfaith Harmony Week concludes in Ludhiana
Tags: State News Important Days
The “World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023”, an event recognised by the United Nations (UN) , concluded at SCD Government College, Ludhiana on 16 February.
An overview of the news
The World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023 was organised by Team 1699 in association with NGO Cityneeds.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains called upon the youth to spread the message of peace, love and harmony and stand up for the welfare of the society.
More than 65 percent of the population in India is below 35 years of age. No other country in the world has such a large population of young adults.
This generation has immense potential to spread love and unity which can bring revolutionary change in the society.
Religious leaders and followers of Buddhism, Valmiki Samaj, Jainism, Christianity, Muslim, Hindu and Sikhism participated in the activities during the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
About World Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.
It is organised every year in the first week of February.
The week, initiated to promote culture, peace and non-violence, was first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations in 2010.
4. World Radio Day
Tags: Important Days
World Radio Day is celebrated every year on 13 February across the world.
An overview of the news
The day is observed every year to raise awareness among the public and media about the importance of radio and to encourage access to information through radio.
The theme for this 12th edition of World Radio Day - 'Radio and Peace'.
The theme of this year focuses on the role of radio as an independent medium of peace making.
The sub-theme of the World Radio day - ‘Radio in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding’ and ‘Support to Independent Radio’.
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peace building in the world.
The day is celebrated with various broadcasts, online activities, community events and awards.
Background of the day
On 3 November 2011, UNESCO declared 13 February as World Radio Day as United Nations Radio was first established on this day in 1946.
It is celebrated to uphold the importance of radio as well as to encourage providing access to information through radio.
UNESCO coordinates the various activities of World Radio Day at the global level with the member states of the United Nations through its radio stations.
5. International day for women and girls in science
Tags: Important Days
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on 11 February.
An overview of the news:
It was announced by the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate this day on 22 December 2015 to ensure the strong role of women in the field of science and technology as well as to increase gender empowerment.
This day is celebrated jointly by UNESCO and the United Nations Women's Association (UN Women).
Efforts of the Government of India to increase the role of women and girls in the field of science:
Vigyan Jyoti Scheme:
Vigyan Jyoti Yojana has been launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The scheme aims to increase the percentage of women in the STEM education sector.
GATI Scheme:
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) will create a comprehensive charter and framework for assessing gender equality in STEM.
KIRAN Scheme:
The Kiran scheme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
The full form of Kiran is 'Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing'.
6. World Unani Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year 11 February is celebrated as World Unani Day with the aim of spreading public awareness about health care through Unani medicines.
An overview of the news:
The theme for World Unani Day 2023 is “Unani Medicine for Public Health”.
The first World Unani Day was celebrated by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, in 2017 at the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM), Hyderabad.
The purpose of this day is to spread public awareness about healthcare through Unani medicines.
The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a social reformer and great Indian Unani physician.
Hakim Ajmal Khan was an Unani physician, an educationist and the founder of scientific research in Unani medicine.
He was one of the founders of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University.
What is the Unani System of Medicine?
Unani medicine is an alternative medicine system.
It originated in ancient Greece.
This includes the use of herbal remedies, dietary habits, and complementary therapies.
Hippocrates is considered the father of this medical method.
In India, this system of medicine started with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century.
7. World Pulses Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year February 10 is celebrated as World Pulses Day.
An overview of the news:
History of the day:
On December 20, 2013, it was decided to celebrate International Pulses Day by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.
'International Pulses Day' was celebrated for the first time in the year 2016. Later, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 10 February 2019 as World Pulses Day. Since then, World Pulses Day is celebrated on 10 February.
Purpose of celebrating the day:
The United Nations wants to increase the production of pulses to provide nutritious food to poor malnourished countries in the world.
2023 theme:
This year's theme is "Pulses for a sustainable future".
What are pulses?
Pulses are called that grain from which lentils are made. It is the main source of protein in the vegetable world. Peas, gram, lentils, kidney beans, urad, horse gram, moong etc. are examples of this.
India is the largest producer of pulses. Which produces about 25 percent of the total pulses produced in the world.
Rajasthan ranks first in India in the production of pulses.
Indian Institute of Pulses Research - Kanpur
8. World Cancer Day 2023
Tags: Important Days
-Recovered_Ic2PiCD.png)
World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4 February to create awareness about cancer as a public health issue and strengthen action towards improving quality care, screening, early detection and treatment.
An overview of the news
The theme for 2023 is 'Close the Care Gap'
This theme is about understanding the disparities in cancer care and taking action to make the progress needed to address them.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has appealed for people's cooperation to strengthen the global fight against cancer.
The central government is working to ensure early detection and affordable treatment of cancer through Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana and several other initiatives.
So far, a total of 17 crore 44 lakh oral cancer tests, 8 crore 27 lakh breast cancer tests and 5 crore 66 lakh cervical cancer tests have been done at these centres.
Background of the day
World Cancer Day originated in the year 2000 at the first World Summit against Cancer which was held in Paris (France).
At this summit, many leaders from government agencies and cancer organizations around the world signed the Charter of Paris Against Cancer.
It contained a 10-article document that outlined a cooperative global commitment to improving the quality of life for cancer patients and investing in and advancing cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
Article X of the Charter formally declared 4 February as World Cancer Day.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which certain cells of the body grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer can start in any part of the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells.
The disease spreads throughout the body through a process called cell division.
9. Sri Lanka celebrates 75th Independence Day
Tags: Important Days International News
Sri Lanka celebrated 75 years of Independence on 4 February under the theme Namo Namo Matha – A step towards a century.
An overview of the news
The main ceremony of the National Independence Day Celebrations was held at Galle Face Green in Colombo.
A special cultural arts festival Lankaralanka was held at Independence square in Colombo.
The Jaffna cultural centre which was built under an Indian grant will also be opened in a few days.
India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan participated in the Independence Day celebrations.
The Minister held talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Sri Lanka Independence Day
Known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka was a major economic center for the British Empire, which granted it semi-independent 'dominionship' status in 1948.
Sri Lanka became a full-fledged republic on May 22, 1972, and is formally known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was Don Stephen Senanayake, who is regarded as the Father of the Nation.
In 1972, William Gopalwa became the first President of Sri Lanka.
Independence Day is also celebrated by Sri Lankan expatriate communities in other countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore and the United States.
10. World Wetlands Day 2023
Tags: Important Days
World Wetlands Day is observed across the world on 2 February.
An overview of the news
Wetlands Day marks the signing of a convention called the Ramsar Convention.
The Convention on Wetlands was adopted on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, a city in Iran.
This day is celebrated to raise awareness about wetlands.
With 75 Ramsar sites spread over an area of over 1.3 million hectares, India has the largest number of wetlands in South Asia.
The total number of Ramsar sites in the country has increased to 75. Whereas before 2014 it was only 26.
The theme of World Wetlands 2023 is "It's time for wetlands restoration".
The theme emphasises the urgent need to prioritise wetland restoration.
In the Union Budget 2023-24, the government has proposed two schemes – Amrit Dharohar and Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income (Mishti) – to protect wetlands and mangroves.
What are Wetlands?
Wetlands are vital not only for the ecosystems but our climate, providing essential services such as water regulation, flood control, and water purification.
Wetlands are also capable of absorbing carbon dioxide.
Wetlands are called “Kidneys of the Earth”.
What are Ramsar sites?
A Ramsar site is a wetland site specifically designated for international importance as a waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention.
Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO.
Ramsar refers to wetlands of international importance in terms of site ecology, botany, zoology or hydrology.
