1. 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.
2. 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.
3. World Soil Day
Tags: Important Days
World Soil Day is observed every year on 5 December to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems by addressing the challenges posed by soil management.
Important facts
The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
The theme of World Soil Day, 2022 is 'Soils: Where food begins'.
Background of the day
International Soil Day was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly.
In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly designated 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
The date of 5 December was chosen because it is the official birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who officially sanctioned the event.
The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award and the Glinka World Soil Award are presented by FAO on this occasion.
4. Parakram Diwas celebrated in Rajasthan on the occasion of 51st anniversary of Longewala battle
Tags: Important Days
To mark the 51st anniversary of India's victory in the Longewala battle during the 1971 war, Parakram Diwas celebrated at Jaisalmer Military Station and Longewala War Memorial in Rajasthan on December 5.
Important facts
Several programs were organised at the Sagat Singh Stadium on the occasion. It included a band display, daredevils motorcycle stunts, mixed martial arts, mallakhamb, show jumping, musical performance, parachute free fall etc.
About Longewala battle between India and Pakistan
The Battle of Longewala was one of the biggest and most decisive battles fought between India and Pakistan in 1971.
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 began on 3 December, with the main thrust of the Indian Army focused on East Pakistan (erstwhile Bangladesh).
The Battle was fought between 120 Indian soldiers and 4 Hawker Aircraft and around 2000 to 3000 Pakistani military forces and 30-40 tanks.
This battle is famous as the Battle of Thermopylae in India, which describes the victory of a small army against a much larger military force.
This battle caused heavy losses to the Pakistani army, where around 200 soldiers were killed.
The Pakistani commanders made several questionable decisions which made them surrender the war and lose the battle.
The Thar Desert of Rajasthan became a battleground between the Indian Armed Forces and the Pakistani Army in the Battle of Longewala.
The Battle of Longewala broke out on 3 December and was fought between 4 and 7 December 1971.
5. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated 65th Foundation Day celebrations of DRI in New Delhi
Tags: Economy/Finance Important Days
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the two-day long 65th Foundation Day celebrations of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 5.
Important facts
The current edition of "Smuggling in India Report 2021-22" was released by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on the occasion.
The report deals with the trends in the area of anti-trafficking and commercial frauds and the performance and experience of DRI in the last financial year.
As many as 22 Customs administrations covering the Asia-Pacific region along with international organisations are invited to the event this year.
About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
DRI is the principal intelligence and enforcement agency on anti-smuggling matters under the aegis of the Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of the Government of India.
It was established on 4 December 1957.
It is headquartered in New Delhi and has 12 zonal units, 35 regional units and 15 sub-regional units, employing approximately 800 officers.
It is tasked with curbing the smuggling of goods including drugs, gold, diamonds, electronics, foreign currency, and counterfeit Indian currency.
It serves to prevent smuggling of goods including drugs, gold, diamonds, electronics, foreign currency, and counterfeit Indian currency.
It also works to combat commercial frauds and evasion of customs duties related to international trade.
6. Navy Day 2022 to be celebrated at Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam
Tags: Defence Important Days
Every year since 1972, 4th December has been observed as Navy Day in India. The day is celebrated to honour the Indian Navy's role during the India Pakistan war of 1971. This year for the first time the Navy Day celebration is taking place outside New Delhi at Eastern Naval Command headquarters Visakhapatnam.
The Indian Navy launched Operation Trident on 4-5 December 1971 to block the Karachi port of Pakistan. During the operation the Indian Navy sank four Pakistani vessels including PNS Khaibar, killing hundreds of Pakistani Navy personnel.
Background to the Day
Navy Day was first celebrated on 21 Oct 1944 by the Royal Indian Navy, which coincided with the Royal Navy's Trafalgar Day of the British navy.
Until 1972 the Navy Day was celebrated on 15 December and the week in which 15 December fell was observed as Navy Week.
At the Senior Naval Officers’ Conference in May 1972, it was decided that Indian Navy Day would be celebrated on December 4 to recognise the efforts and achievements of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Navy Day 2022
This year the Navy Day celebration will be held in Visakhapatnam. This is for the first time that the Navy Day celebration is being held outside Delhi. Indian Naval ships, submarines, aircraft and Special Forces from Eastern, Western and Southern Naval Command would showcase the capability and versatility of the Indian Navy. The event will culminate with a sunset ceremony and lighting up of ships at anchorage.
The Indian Navy will demonstrate India’s combat prowess and capability through an ‘Operational Demonstration' during the celebration.
President of India and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Droupadi Murmu would witness the event as the Guest of Honour.
The event will be hosted by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar.
Indian Navy
The modern Indian Navy was founded on 26 January 1950.
It comes under the Union Ministry of Defence
President is the supreme commander of the Indian Navy.
Current Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R.Hari Kumar
Navy Day: 4 December
The Headquarters of the Indian Navy is at New Delhi
Naval Command and its Headquarters
Operational Naval Commands | Headquarters |
Western Naval Command | Mumbai |
Southern Naval Command | Kochi |
Eastern Naval Command | Visakhapatnam |
7. World Computer Literacy Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year on December 2, 'World Computer Literacy Day' is celebrated across the world to raise awareness about computer literacy and promote digital literacy.
Important facts
With the invention of computers, tasks have become much easier and more convenient for mankind.
It is extremely important for humans to get to know the technological developments happening across the world.
Hence, it is known as World Computer Literacy Day dedicated to highlighting the importance of attaining literacy in computers.
The day aims to promote technological help by uplifting women and children to get skilled in understanding computer language.
Background of the day
The day started to help women and children learn computers.
The day was first celebrated by NIIT on 2 December 2001.
The concept of celebrating this day was first started by the leading Indian computer company NIIT. This year the 22nd anniversary of the day is being celebrated.
8. International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Tags: Important Days
Every year on 3rd December 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' is celebrated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the fortitude and accomplishments of Divyangjan.
Important facts
The day is celebrated to promote the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities at all levels of society and development and to raise awareness of the status of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The theme of 2022 is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.”
Background of the day
The day was initiated in the year 1992 by resolution 47/3 of the 'United Nations General Assembly'.
It aims to work towards providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, more than 1 billion people worldwide are affected by disability.
What is disability?
Disability refers to a condition in which a person is unable to perform a number of activities in comparison to the normal standard of a particular individual.
The term 'disability' is often used to refer to individual functioning, which includes physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment, mental illness etc.
9. National Pollution Control Day
Tags: Important Days
National Pollution Control Day is observed on December 2 every year.
Important facts
The main purpose of organising this day is to spread awareness about the management and control of industrial disasters and to promote efforts towards preventing pollution arising due to industrial or human activities.
The day is dedicated to encourage the adoption of pollution control acts to prevent environmental pollution caused by human negligence and industrial emissions.
The day is observed in the memory of those who died in the Bhopal gas disaster in 1984 on 2 and 3 December.
On the night of December 2, 1984, there was a leakage of 'Methyl Isocyanite' gas from the plant of the American company Union Carbide India Limited, which converted the city of Bhopal into a giant gas chamber.
More than 15,000 people died due to the leakage of about 30 tonnes of methyl isocyanite gas and lakhs of people were affected by this horrific tragedy.
Significance of the day
This day is celebrated to create awareness among people to prevent any industrial disaster.
According to the National Health Portal of India, air pollution causes more than 7 million deaths worldwide every year, of which about 4 million are due to household air pollution.
10. Prime Minister Modi greets BSF on its 58th raising Day
Tags: Defence Important Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the Border Security Personnel and their families on BSF (Border Security Force) 58th raising day. Every year December 1 is observed as BSF day because the force was raised on this day in 1965.
BSF was set up after the 1965 India Pakistan war. It is a border force which is deployed along the International border with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
BSF is also known as the nation’s ’first line of defence'.
It is the world’s largest border force in the world.
It is one of the 7 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) which comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The other CAPF are Assam Rifles, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Force (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG) and Sashastra Seema BAL (SSB).
The BSF is the only force in the country to have the Camel Contingents and the Camel Mounted Band.
It is the only force in the world which has a female camel riding squad.
It is the only CAPF to have a full-fledged Water Wing, Air Wing and even an Artillery Regiment of its own.
- Motto of BSF : Duty Unto Death,
- Headquarters: New Delhi,
- Director General: Pankaj Kumar Singh (IPS)
- First Director General : K F Rustamji
