1. Vijay Diwas
Tags: Important Days
The Nation is celebrating Vijay Diwas on 16th December to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war. On the day, India pays homage to all the soldiers who defended the nation.
Why does India celebrate Vijay Diwas?
On 16 December 1971, India won the war against Pakistan after fighting for 13 days.
The Chief of the Pakistani Army, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, surrendered to the combined forces of the Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini.
It was also the largest military surrender since World War II.
The war resulted in the birth of Bangladesh, which was then East Pakistan.
The day is also celebrated in Bangladesh as 'Bijoy Dibos', marking the country's formal independence from Pakistan. This year Bangladesh is celebrating its 52nd Bijoy Diwas.
More than 3,800 Indian and Pakistani soldiers lost their lives in the war.
Eight months after the war, in August 1972, India and Pakistan signed the Simla Agreement.
Under the agreement, India agreed to release 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war.
Why did the war happen?
The war was triggered by an insurgency in East Pakistan against the Islamabad government.
The Pakistani army was oppressing Bengalis and the minority Hindu population in East Pakistan.
According to one estimate, between 300,000–500,000 civilians were killed by the Pakistani army.
Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi decided to provide aid to the then East Pakistan. She decided to give shelter to the people who fled from East Pakistan.
How did the India-Pakistan war of 1971 start?
The war began when Pakistan carried out airstrikes on 11 Indian airbases on 3 December 1971.
In turn, Indira Gandhi ordered Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw to launch a full-scale war against Pakistan.
2. National Energy Conservation day
Tags: Important Days
National energy conservation day is celebrated in India every year on 14 December and the day is organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) which operates under the Ministry of Power.
Important facts
The main objective of the day is to present India's achievements in the field of cost-effective energy production and resource conservation.
The day reminds people of the importance of energy conservation to plan ahead for the future, targeting holistic development towards climate change mitigation.
National Energy Conservation Day in India aims to create awareness among people about the importance of energy as well as conservation through saving and saving energy.
The Ministry of Power is celebrating the National Energy Conservation Day in New Delhi to showcase the achievements of the nation in energy efficiency and conservation.
National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated on 14 December since 1991.
What is Energy Conservation?
Energy conservation means- saving energy by using less energy by reducing the unnecessary use of energy.
Energy conservation is a conscious, individual effort, and on a macro level, it leads to energy efficiency.
The ultimate goal of energy conservation is to reach sustainable energy.
Energy Conservation Act, 2001 was enacted with the goal of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
3. Ministry of Power to celebrate “Energy Conservation Day 2022”
Tags: Important Days National News
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Ministry of Power to celebrate “Energy Conservation Day 2022” on the occasion of the National Energy Conservation Day on 14th December 2022. The purpose is to showcase the achievements of the nation in energy efficiency and conservation.
Important facts
Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India will be the Chief Guest of the event. R. K. Singh, Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy will address the event.
Hon'ble President of India will felicitate the winners of National Energy Conservation Awards, National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards, National Painting Competition Awards and also launch the EV Travel Portal on the occasion.
Major attractions of the event
National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2022
National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) 2022
National painting competition for school children 2022
Launch of ‘EV-Yatra portal’ and mobile app
Session on emerging new technologies in the area of energy efficiency
EV-YATRA PORTAL and Mobile App
The Mobile application titled “EV Yatra” has been designed and developed to facilitate in-vehicle navigation to the nearest public EV charger.
This mobile application can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store on Android and iPhone smartphones.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has developed this mobile application to facilitate in-vehicle navigation.
4. IIT Delhi organised 4th edition of Industry Day
Tags: Important Days National News
IIT Delhi's flagship industry-academia partnership event, Industry Day 2022, held on December 10, 2022.
Important facts
K Ananth Krishnan, Executive Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Consultancy Services, who is an IIT Delhi alum, was the chief guest on the occasion.
The fourth edition of the daylong event gives an opportunity to the industry to witness how IIT Delhi is working to develop technologies that will benefit both the industry and society.
The event was attended by top leadership of more than 15 large corporate and business houses.
The event was attended by industry leaders, scientists, IIT Delhi faculty, research scholars, and students.
Over 70 cutting-edge technologies developed by the researchers of IIT Delhi were showcased as product demonstrations on the Industry Day.
Themes of Industry Day 2022
Industry Day 2022 was focused on four themes that have been built into India's commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
These topics are healthcare, electric vehicles, communications technology, and clean energy and the environment.
5. Human Rights Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year December 10 is celebrated as Human Rights Day all over the world.
Important facts
It aims to promote equality, peace, justice, freedom and protection of human dignity.
Everyone is entitled to human rights irrespective of difference on the basis of caste, colour, religion, sex, language or social status.
This day is widely recognised to raise awareness about people’s social, cultural, political and religious rights.
The theme OF 2022 - Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.
Background of the day
The day has been observed every year since 1950 in commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
World War II and it's serious aftermaths apparently necessitated the need to emphasize on the subject of human rights as the mass extermination of the Jews, people with disabilities, homosexuals and others by Nazi Germany shook the world.
These darkest chapters of human history reinforced the need to protect human rights against the inhuman abuses of governments and rulers.
Eventually, the governments of various countries resolved to form an international body (the United Nations) to protect the rights of the people.
The member states of the United Nations established a commission on human rights on February 16, 1946.
The commission, headed by former US First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, drafted the UDHR, which was adopted by 56 member states on December 10, 1956.
What is the UDHR?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has established a set of common basic values regarding the humanitarian approach and the relationship between the state and the individual.
It contains 30 articles that outline a wide range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all people from across the world are entitled.
6. International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
Tags: Important Days
Every year on December 9, this day is celebrated for the victims of the crime of genocide and for the prevention of this crime and to honor and remember the victims of this crime.
Important facts
Unfortunately, our history is tainted by individuals or organizations that have attempted to wipe out large groups of people. This is known as genocide.
One of the most infamous incidents of genocide occurred when Nazi Germany killed 6 million Jews.
Along with the Jews, the Nazis attempted to exterminate other groups of people as well. These included people with disabilities, homosexuals, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Altogether 11 million people died.
Each year on this day, the UN hosts a special commemoration event.
On this day, special recognition is given to those who have taken initiatives that have contributed to the prevention of genocide and related crimes.
Background of the day
In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established this day.
9 December recognizes the anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
In 2015, Armenia initiated the adoption of the relevant resolution by the UN General Assembly.
On December 9, 1948, the United Nations adopted the first human rights treaty, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, better known as the "Genocide Convention".
Most recent Genocide in history
2017 – The Burmese Military killed up to 43,000 Rohingya people in Myanmar (also known as Burma)
2014 – The Islamic State of Iraq killed 10,000 Yazidis in northern Iraq and Syria.
2003 – Three Sudanese tribes in Darfur killed 500,000 people.
1994 – A mass slaughter of over one million Tutsi people occurred in Rwanda.
7. International Civil Aviation Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year 7 December is observed as International Civil Aviation Day. This day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of civil aviation and its contribution in the world. The day honours civil aviation workers, air traffic controllers and everyone who works towards keeping flights and flying safe for passengers.
Background to the Day
The first Civil Aviation day was observed on 7 December 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chicago convention.
The Chicago convention held on 7 December 1944 led to the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO is a United Nations agency which was formally established on 4 April 1947.
Later in 1996, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 7 December as an International Civil Aviation Day. Since then, the day has been observed on a global scale.
Theme of the International Civil Aviation Day
In 2019 the ICAO decided that till 2023 the theme of the International Civil Aviation Day will be “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”.
8. Armed Forces Flag Day celebrated in India
Tags: Important Days National News
The Armed Forces Flag Day is observed on 7th of December every year to honour the martyrs and the Armed Forces personnel who safeguard the motherland.
Important facts
The day is dedicated towards collection of funds from people for the welfare of the Armed Forces personnel.
The fund collected on this day is also used for the welfare of the serving personnel and ex-servicemen.
The day also pays tribute to the thousands of men who have died defending the country.
This day is observed to honour Indian soldiers, sailors, and pilots.
The day also reminds the citizens to care for the living heroes who were either wounded in action or retired from service at a fairly young age.
Background of the day
The Defense Minister's Committee on August 28, 1949, created the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
Hence, a committee was set up on August 28, 1949 that decided a Flag Day shall be celebrated annually on December 7.
The reason it was called a flag day was because small flags were distributed across the country among the general population which served two purposes – collection of welfare funds and creating a sense of camaraderie and harmony between the Army and citizens.
9. 51st Maitiri Diwas’ marking recognition of Bangladesh by India celebrated in Dhaka
Tags: place in news Important Days International News
The 51st anniversary of ‘Maitri Diwas’ marking the recognition of Bangladesh by the Government of India in 1971 was celebrated in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on 6th December 2022 The event was organized by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Minister for Liberation War Affairs of A.K.M Mozammel Haque was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Indian High Commissioner Pranya Verma said that the decision to observe December 6 as ‘Maitri Diwas’ was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the state visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bangladesh in March 2021.
However, Bangladesh which was known as East Pakistan was liberated on 16 December when the Pakistani forces led by Lt.Gen Niazi surrendered to a combined force of the Indian Army led by Lt. General Jagjit Singh Arora and Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters). As many as 93,000 Pakistani troops laid down their arms on 16-17 December 1971 in Bangladesh. It was the largest surrender in war after the Second World War.
10. International Cheetah Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year 4 December is observed as International Cheetah Day. The day is observed to raise people's awareness about safeguarding the cheetah from extinction.
In India the International Cheetah Day was celebrated by the National Zoological Park, New Delhi (Delhi Zoo) in collaboration with the Central Zoo Authority.
Background of the Day
American zoologist Dr Laurie Marker is credited with creating International Cheetah Day. Dr Marker founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund in 1991 and she designated December 4 as International Cheetah Day in 2010. Since that year, the world has been celebrating this day.
Cheetah is the fastest animal in the world and at present the majority of the animal is found in Namibia and South Africa. It was declared as an extinct animal in 1954 by the government.
The Government of India has started a project to repopulate India with Cheetah brought from Namibia and settled in Kuno National park in Madhya Pradesh.
