1. Maharashtra government announces Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's birth anniversary as 'Swatantraveer Gaurav Din'
Tags: State News Important Days
On 11 April, the Maharashtra government declared 28 May, the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, as 'Swatantraveer Gaurav Diwas'.
An Overview of the News
- Various programs will be organised to promote and propagate the thoughts and works of Veer Savarkar on Swatantraveer Gaurav Divas.
- It aims to highlight Savarkar's contribution to India's independence movement, his ideology and his campaigns for social reforms and the eradication of untouchability.
About Veer Savarkar
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was an Indian freedom fighter, writer and politician who played an important role in the Indian independence struggle.
- He was born on May 28, 1883 in Bhagur village of Nashik district, Maharashtra.
- Savarkar is credited with establishing the concept of Hindutva, which aimed to create a Hindu nationalist identity for India.
- In addition to his role in the Indian independence movement, Savarkar was a prolific writer, writing several books, including "The Indian War of Independence of 1857", "Six Glorious Ages of Indian History", and "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?"
About Maharashtra
- Capital - Mumbai
- Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
- Governor - Ramesh Bais
- State Industries Minister - Uday Samant
2. International Day of Human Space Flight: 12 April
Tags: Important Days
The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed every year on 12 April.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight through a resolution passed on 7 April 2011.
An Overview of the News
The day is celebrated in honour of Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut, the first human to orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961.
Space exploration has led to advances in many areas, including communications, navigation, and weather forecasting.
On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to orbit the Earth aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
About Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It is the national space agency of India.
ISRO is responsible for space-based applications, exploration and related technology development.
Major achievements include the launch of India's first satellite, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission.
Established - 15 August 1969
Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
Headquarters - Bengaluru
Parent Organization - Space Commission
Assistant - Vikram Sarabhai Space Center
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
It is a federal agency responsible for the US civilian space program, aeronautical research, and space research.
NASA conducts space missions, explores our solar system and beyond, and conducts aeronautical research.
NASA is committed to international collaboration and education outreach programs.
Its budget is primarily funded by the US government, and security is a top priority.
Established - 29 July 1958
Founder - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Headquarters - Washington, DC, United States
3. National Safe Motherhood Day: 11 April
Tags: Important Days
National Safe Motherhood Day is observed every year on 11 April. Its main objective is to raise awareness about maternal health, the need for proper medical care during pregnancy and postpartum.
An Overviews of the News
- This initiative was started by the Government of India to reduce the number of maternal and neonatal deaths.
- The day serves as a reminder for both government and society to prioritise the health and safety of mothers and their newborns.
- In 2003, the Government of India declared 11 April as the National Safe Motherhood Day through the efforts of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) and the day was chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, a renowned social reformer.
- The primary objective of WRAI was to create awareness about healthy health care practices as well as the availability and accessibility of health care initiatives for women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care and to encourage the government to prioritise maternal health.
About the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA):
- It is a non-profit organisation established in 1999 with the primary objective of advocating for maternal and newborn health and rights.
- The organisation operates in more than 50 countries worldwide, focusing on mobilising and empowering individuals, communities, and organisations to demand and receive quality maternal and newborn health services.
4. World Homeopathy Day: 10 April
Tags: Important Days
World Homeopathy Day is observed every year on 10th April to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy.
An Overview of the News
- The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) under the Ministry of AYUSH organized a scientific conference on the occasion in New Delhi.
- The conference was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and its theme is 'Homoe Parivar - Universal Health, One Health, One Family'.
- The conference included sessions on policy aspects, advances in homeopathy, research evidence and clinical experiences in homeopathy.
- CCRH exchanged Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with various Homeopathic Colleges and Directorate of Homeopathy, Government of Kerala.
- In addition, a documentary, a portal and eight books of CCRH were released during the event.
History of World Homeopathy Day
- Samuel Hahnemann was born in Paris on 10 April 1755 and was a renowned physician and scholar.
- He discovered the fundamental principle of homeopathy, known as "like cures like".
- Homeopathy is widely used in India and is considered a safe form of treatment with minimal side effects.
- World Homeopathy Day is organised under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
- The day aims to raise awareness about homeopathy and its benefits as an alternative form of medicine.
About Ministry of AYUSH
- It is a government ministry in India.
- It is responsible for the development, promotion and regulation of traditional systems of medicine.
- AYUSH is the abbreviation of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Society and aims to promote education and research of the above.
- The ministry provides educational and training programs.
Establishment - 2014
Responsible Ministers - Sarbananda Sonowal, Cabinet Minister and Mahendra Munjapara, Minister of State
Ministry Executive - Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary
Ministry of Motherhood - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
5. Prevention of Blindness Week -2023
Tags: Important Days
Prevention of Blindness Week is organized from 1st to 7th April 2023.
An overview of the news
The Government of India organizes it to raise awareness about the blind.
Blindness is a serious problem and only the blind can understand the pain.
This campaign is organized to raise awareness to remind all the citizens of the country about the value of eyes for the blind.
The aim of the week is to educate people about various eye injuries, and visual impairment and bring awareness about the ways to avoid them.
Prevention of Blindness Week 2023: Theme
WHO is celebrating the week with the theme "The Right to Sight" in collaboration with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and other non-governmental organizations with the goal of eliminating preventable blindness.
Background of the week
Prevention of Blindness Week was organized in 1960 by the first Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
He established the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness in 1960 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness is a voluntary organization working to prevent blindness in collaboration with other organizations such as Sight Savers, Rotary International.
Its main areas of work are creating blindness awareness, ensuring effective treatment and timely diagnosis.
6. 103rd birth anniversary of Pandit Ravi Shankar - 7 April 2023
Tags: Important Days
Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar's 103rd birth anniversary was celebrated on 7 April 2023 and is known for his significant contribution to the global promotion of Indian music.
An Overview of the News
Shankar has been honoured with several honours and awards for his contribution to music, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the prestigious Bharat Ratna (1999).
Shankar won three Grammy Awards during his lifetime, including a Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2013.
Shankar was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1999 for his contribution to music and cultural understanding.
Other notable honours conferred on Shankar include the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Commander of the Legion of Honor of France, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) and Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Several books have been written about Pandit Ravi Shankar, including his autobiography, "My Music, My Life", and biographies such as "Ravi Shankar: A Life in Music" and "Pandit Ravi Shankar: The Man and His Music".
7. World Health Day: 7 April
Tags: Important Days
World Health Day is observed every year on 7th April to draw global attention to a specific health issue that affects people around the world.
An Overview of the News
The theme of World Health Day 2023 is "Health for All", reflecting the achievements of public health over the past seven decades in enhancing the quality of life of people.
The theme emphasises the need for the world to take necessary measures to deal with current and future health challenges.
World Health Day aims to promote awareness and draw global attention to a specific health issue that affects people around the world.
The first World Health Day was celebrated on July 22, 1949, but was later moved to April 7 to encourage student participation.
The day also marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), a leading global health institution that works towards improving global health and well-being.
About WHO
Establishment - 7 April 1948
Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland
Director General - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
8. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP): 6 April
Tags: Important Days
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed on 6 April and the day recognizes the importance of sport and physical activity in our individual lives and communities around the world.
An Overview of the News
The theme for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2023 is "Scoring for People and the Planet".
The theme highlights the positive impact of sport on sustainable development and peace, stressing the importance of using sport as a tool to achieve these goals.
The United Nations General Assembly, during its 67th session, adopted resolution 67/296 on 23 August 2013, declaring 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
The day was inspired by previous United Nations resolutions that aimed to promote events such as the International Year of Sport and the Olympic Truce to harness the power of sport to promote a more peaceful world.
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace serves as a platform to showcase the role of sport in promoting sustainable development, social cohesion and international cooperation.
About the United Nations General Assembly
It is an important component of the United Nations Organization and serves as its main policy-making and representative body. It was established in 1945.
It is one of the six primary organs of the United Nations and has the responsibility of being the primary deliberative, policy-making and representative body.
Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter outlines the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly plays an important role in promoting international cooperation, dialogue and problem-solving within the United Nations on a wide range of global issues.
Headquarters - New York, New York, United States
Founder - United Nations
Established - 1945
President - Csaba Kőrösi
9. National Maritime Day: 5 April
Tags: Important Days
National Maritime Day is a part of the National Maritime Week, which begins on 30 March and ends on 5 April and this year marks the 60th anniversary of National Maritime Day in India.
An Overview of the News
National Maritime Day (NMD) is celebrated every year on 5th April to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian owned ship "SS Loyalty" (the first ship of Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited) that sailed from Bombay to London on 5th April 1919 .
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways started this day in 1964 to commemorate the voyage of SS Loyalty, India's first commercial vessel.
The day celebrates India's contribution to the maritime industry and its history as a seafaring nation.
It is a day to express gratitude to the seafarers who work tirelessly at sea away from their families to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.
The theme of National Maritime Week 2023 is 'Shipping Mein Amrit Kaal', which in English means 'Golden Era in Shipping'
The theme emphasises the potential for significant progress and growth in the Indian maritime industry over a period of 25 years from the 75th to the 100th year of India's independence.
World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed on 29 September.
10. International Day of Conscience: 5 April
Tags: Important Days
International Day of Conscience is observed each year on 5 April to promote peace, justice and sustainable development, and the day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
An Overview of the News
Conscience refers to the inner voice that guides our moral and ethical decisions, encouraging us to act with integrity and empathy toward others.
The theme for the year 2023 is “Building a Culture of Peace”.
The day emphasises the importance of promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, in which respect for diversity and human rights is given priority.
The International Day of Conscience was initiated at the United Nations by the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting peace and love around the world.
The Kingdom of Bahrain submitted a draft resolution titled "Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience" to the United Nations General Assembly during its 73rd session declaring 5 April as the International Day of Conscience.
About the United Nations General Assembly
It is a fundamental component of the United Nations Organization.
It is one of the six primary organs within the United Nations, with responsibility for serving as the primary deliberative, policy-making and representative body of the United Nations.
Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter outlines the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the General Assembly.
Its role within the United Nations is important in promoting international cooperation, dialogue and problem-solving across a wide range of global issues.
Headquarters - New York, New York, United States
Founder - United Nations
Established - 1945, New York, New York, United States
President - Csaba Kőrösi
