Current Affairs search results for tag: important-days

1. World Population Day - 11 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

The annual celebration known as World Population Day is observed on 11 July every year.

An Overview of the News

• It serves as a platform to raise awareness about global population-related concerns.

• The theme "Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone" emphasizes inclusivity and fair representation in population-related issues.

• Focus on investing in data collection to better understand and address global population challenges.

Population Growth Dynamics

• The global population has grown exponentially, reaching 7 billion in 2011 and projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030.

• Factors driving growth include increased life expectancy, fertility rates, urbanization, and migration.

World Population Trends

• Despite current global population surpassing 8 billion, stabilization is anticipated before significantgrowth beyond 10.9 billion by 2100.

• The UNFPA highlights population issues annually through World Population Day, observed on July 11th since 1990.

Impact and Future Outlook

• Population trends have profound implications for economic development, employment, poverty, and social welfare globally.

• Awareness raised on family planning, gender equality, maternal health, and human rights on World Population Day.

History of World Population Day

• It was established in 1989 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme.

• Its primary goal is to highlight the critical nature and importance of population issues.

• In December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to continue World Population Day. 

• It aims to promote the understanding of population matters and their interrelationships with the environment and development.

• The first World Population Day was observed on 11 July 1990, in which more than 90 countries participated.

2. World Kiswahili Language Day - 7 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Kiswahili Language Day is observed annually on July 7 to promote Kiswahili, a widely used African language.

An Overview of the News

• July 7, 2024, marked the 3rd observance of World Kiswahili Language Day.

• The theme for the 2024 event was "Kiswahili: Education and Culture of Peace."

Background:

• In November 2021, UNESCO's 41st General Conference in Paris adopted resolution 41 C/61, proclaiming July 7 as World Kiswahili Language Day.

• The first World Kiswahili Language Day was observed on July 7, 2022.

• Kiswahili is the first African language to be recognized by the UN.

Kiswahili Language:

• Kiswahili, or Swahili, is a widely spoken lingua franca in East, Central, and Southern Africa, and the Middle East.

• It ranks among the top 10 most spoken languages globally, with over 230 million speakers. It's an official language of the AU, SADC, and EAC.

• Kiswahili is a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo family, known for its complex Bantu structure.

• It's the only African language in the UN's Directorate of Global Communications, where the Kiswahili language unit of UN Radio was established in the 1950s.

About the UNESCO

• Director-General : Audrey Azoulay

• Headquarters: Paris, France

• Establishment: 1945

• Membership: Consists of 194 Members and 12 Associate Members

3. International Day of Cooperatives - 1st Saturday of July

Tags: Important Days

The International Day of Cooperatives is observed annually on the first Saturday of July.

An Overview of the News

• In 2024, it falls on 6 July. This marks the 102nd InternationalCooperative Day and the 30th UN International Day of Cooperatives.

• The theme for the International Day of Cooperatives 2024 is "Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All."

Significance and History:

• The International Cooperative Day has been celebrated since 1923, initially observed on 7 July.

• In December 1992, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/47/90, proclaiming the first Saturday of July each year as the International Day of Cooperatives.

• This resolution commemorated the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), one of the oldest and largest NGOs representing cooperative movements globally.

Objectives:

• The day aims to increase awareness of cooperatives and their contributions to international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace.

• It emphasizes the role of cooperatives in social and economic development, promoting sustainable practices and community empowerment.

International Cooperative Alliance (ICA):

• The ICA, founded in 1895, plays a pivotal role in advancing cooperative principles worldwide.

• It represents millions of cooperative enterprises and members across various sectors, advocating for cooperative values and principles.

4. National Doctors' Day - 1 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

National Doctors' Day is annually observed on 1 July across India to honor doctors and healthcare professionals.

An Overview of the News

• It commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal.

• The day is led by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to recognize doctors' contributions to society.

• The theme for National Doctors' Day 2024 is "Healing Hands, Caring Hearts."

• The observance began in India on 1 July 1991, following the IMA's recommendation.

About IMA

• Establishment: 1928

• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

• National President: Dr. R V Asokan

• Secretary-General: Dr. Anilkumar J. Nayak

JULY 2024 Days and Themes

5. World Sports Journalists Day - 2 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Sports Journalists Day is celebrated across the world on 2 July every year.

An Overview of the News

• The day honours the achievements of sports media professionals and inspires them to put in more efforts to spread knowledge about sports among the general public.

• Many news companies organize special events to honor sports journalists on this special day.

• It aims to recognize the efforts of individuals involved in sports journalism.

History of World Sports Journalists Day

• It was established in 1994 by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) on 2 July to mark the establishment of AIPS as an organization on the occasion of the Summer Olympics in Paris.

• Since its inception, the day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and achievements of countless sports media professionals.

• It serves as a platform to honour his outstanding work in the field of sports journalism.

• World Sports Journalists Day assumes great significance as it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contribution made by sports media professionals.

• These individuals play a vital role in reporting and analyzing sporting events, sharing the stories of athletes, and engaging audiences around the world.

6. National Chartered Accountants - 1 July

Tags: Important Days

National Chartered Accountants (CA) Day is observed annually on July 1st.

An Overview of the News

• The day commemorates the establishment of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

• This year, the celebrations mark the 76th anniversary since the ICAI was founded by an Act of Parliament.

Theme 2024:

• National CA Day 2024 focuses on the theme 'Innovating for a sustainable future', recognizing CAs' pivotal role in advancing sustainable business practices.

Significance:

• The day celebrates CAs for their contributions to India's economic growth and financial stability.
• It underscores the evolving landscape of the financial sector and the opportunities and challenges it presents for CAs.
• National CA Day promotes ethical standards and responsible practices within the CA profession.

What is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)?

• The ICAI is a statutory body established by the Chartered Accountants Act of 1949.

• It regulates the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India.

• Administratively overseen by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Historical Background:

• Before independence, accounting in India was governed under the Companies Act by the British Government.

• A diploma program in accounting for auditors was introduced by the British Government.

• In 1930, the Government of India established the Register of Accountants.

• Lack of effective norms led to the perception of an unregulated accounting profession.

• An expert committee in 1948 recommended the formation of an autonomous body to regulate accounting.

• The Chartered Accountants Act was enacted in 1949 based on these recommendations.

7. GST (Goods and Services Tax) Day - 1 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

To commemorate the anniversary of the implementation of the historic tax reform of the Goods and Services Tax, 1 July is observed as GST (Goods and Services Tax) Day.

An Overview of the News

• The first GST Day was celebrated on 1st July 2018 to mark the first anniversary of the new indirect tax regime i.e. Goods and Services Tax (GST).

• The 7th GST Day was celebrated on 1st July 2024, which marks the completion of seven years of the implementation of GST.

• The theme for 2024's GST Day is "Sashakt Vyapar Samagra Vikas,"translating to "Empowered Trade Overall Growth."

• GST was implemented on the intervening night of 30 June and 1 July 2017 in a function held in the Central Hall of Parliament.

• On 29 March 2017, the Goods and Services Tax Act was passed in the Parliament and the Act came into force on 1 July 2017.

• GST was enacted as the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.

What is GST?

• GST is an indirect tax which has been implemented with the aim of making India a unified common market.

• It is a single tax levied on the supply of goods and services from the producer to the consumer.

• Under GST, on the one hand indirect taxes like Central Excise Duty, Additional Excise Duty, Service Tax, Countervailing Duty are included at the Central level.

• On the other hand, state-levied value addition tax, entertainment tax, octroi and entry tax, luxury tax, etc. are also included.

• It was introduced with the slogan 'One Nation One Tax'.

Tax Structure under GST

• Central GST (CGST) to cover excise duty, service tax etc.

• State GST (SGST) to cover VAT, luxury tax etc.

• Integrated GST (IGST) to cover inter-state trade.

• IGST itself is not a tax but a tax system to coordinate state and union taxes.

• It has a 4-tier tax structure of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% for all goods and services under the slab.

8. June 2024 Days and Themes

Tags: Important Days

List of Days and Themes for June 2024:

9. International Day of Parliamentarism - 30 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

June 30 is recognized as the International Day of Parliamentarism, which commemorates the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889.

An overview of the news

• This day holds significance as it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the progress made by parliaments worldwide in achieving their predetermined goals.

• International Day of Parliamentarism 2024 Theme:"Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding"

Definition and Purpose of Parliamentary Diplomacy

• Parliamentary diplomacy involves fostering relationships and promoting cooperation between national parliaments through various initiatives.

• It encourages members of parliaments to engage in inter-parliamentary organizations, bilateral exchanges, and other diplomatic efforts.

Objectives of Parliamentary Diplomacy

• Representing national interests on international platforms.

• Facilitating dialogue and cooperation with parliamentary counterparts from other countries.

• Working towards consensus on global issues through diplomatic channels.

Benefits of Parliamentary Diplomacy

• Enhancing mutual understanding and trust between nations.

• Contributing to peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts.

• Strengthening international cooperation and partnerships for sustainable development.

Role of Parliamentarians

• Advocating for their countries' interests in international forums.

• Building bridges and promoting cultural exchange through parliamentary engagements.

• Supporting diplomatic efforts to address global challenges collaboratively.

Background of the day

• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2018to establish the International Day of Parliamentarism, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary institutions in democratic governance.

• The Inter-Parliamentary Union was founded in 1889, and the inaugural celebration of the UN International Day of Parliamentarism took place in 1899 to mark its establishment.

• The day serves as a platform to reflect on the achievements and challenges faced by parliaments globally and to foster dialogue and cooperation among parliamentary bodies.

10. National Statistics Day - 29 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

National Statistics Day is observed annually on 29 June to honour the contribution of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in statistics and economic planning.

An Overview of the News

• Professor Mahalanobis, known as the 'Father of Indian Statistics', developed the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure to assess the difference between a point and a distribution.

• Purpose: To create public awareness on the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for India's development.

• Designation: Recognized as a "Special Day" by the Government of India.

Statistics Day 2024

• Theme:"Use of data for decision-making"

• Significance: Highlights the importance of data-driven decision making for informed decisions and evidence-based policy formulation.

Main Event Details

• Location: Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi

• Chief Guest: Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission

• Key Speakers:

  • Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission (NSC)

  • Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI

• Participants: Senior officers from Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, representatives of international organizations (World Bank, UN agencies), and other stakeholders.

• Webcast/Live Stream: The programme was web-casted/live streamed through the social media handles of the Ministry.

Key Highlights

• Essay Writing Competition: Winners of the ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition, 2024’ for Postgraduate Students were felicitated.

• Report Releases:

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024

  • Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

• Portal Launch: e-Statistics Portal and Central Data Repository for Official Statistics containing time series data of important macro indicators and data asset catalogue of the Ministry were launched.

History of National Statistics Day

• The Government of India designated 29 June as National Statistics Day on 5 June 2007.

• The designation was given to acknowledge the significant contributions of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of statistics and economic planning.

• The first celebration of National Statistics Day took place on 29 June 2007.

• Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis was a prominent figure who played a key role in the first Planning Commission of India.

• He was instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931.

• The day is celebrated as a tribute to Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and his remarkable contribution in the field of statistics.

About Indian Statistical Institute

• Director - Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay

• Headquarters - Kolkata

• Establishment - 17 December 1931

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