1. "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" - 7 September
Tags: Important Days
“International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies” is observed annually on 7 September.
An Overview of the News
The day is dedicated to recognizing the vital importance of clean air for people's well-being and daily life.
The theme of 2023:
The theme of the fourth annual International Day of Clean Air for blue skies in 2023 is "Together for Clean Air".
This theme serves multiple objectives: strengthening partnerships, increasing investment, shared responsibility, impacts on health and ecosystems, protecting the environment, ensuring healthy air for all
History of "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies"
Resolution 74/212 of January 22, 2020, established September 7 as the "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies".
The Second Committee of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution on November 26, 2019.
The purpose of this day is to promote awareness and actions to improve air quality.
Its central focus is on reducing air pollution to protect human health.
2. National Teacher Award 2023 to be awarded to outstanding teachers by the President of India
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The President of India Draupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers 2023 to 75 teachers on September 5, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The event is organized annually on 5th September, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, which is celebrated as National Teachers' Day in India.
The objective of the National Teacher Awards is to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary contribution of teachers to education and the positive impact they have on the lives of students.
Reward Benefits:
Each award includes a certificate of merit.
Cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
A silver medal.
Opportunity to interact with the Honorable Prime Minister.
Extent of Award Area:
The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education organizes this event to honor outstanding teachers.
This year the National Award to Teachers has been expanded to include the following teachers:
Higher Education Department
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Number of award winners:
A total of 75 teachers will be honored in 2023:
50 school teachers
13 Higher Education Teacher
12 teachers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
History of Teacher's Day in India:
In 1962, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan became the President of India.
His students approached him to celebrate 5 September as a special day.
Instead, Dr. Radhakrishnan proposed to celebrate this date as Teachers' Day.
Its objective was to recognize and honor the valuable contribution of teachers to society.
While the global World Teachers' Day falls on 5 October and is led by organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, and ILO, India decided to celebrate it on 5 September.
Dr. Radhakrishnan's students accepted his suggestion and since then 5th September has been celebrated as Teacher's Day in India.
3. World Sanskrit Day - 31 August
Tags: Important Days
World Sanskrit Day is celebrated annually on 31 August, an occasion dedicated to celebrating the importance of Sanskrit.
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The day serves as an opportunity to spread awareness about the language that was used by scholars and saints in ancient India to compose revered texts, especially those related to religious teachings and philosophy.
Alternate name - Vishva-Sanskrit-dinam:
Also known as Vishva-Sanskrit-Dinam, this day is an annual event focusing on the ancient Indian language Sanskrit.
It consists of lectures about the language and aims to promote its revival and preservation.
History of World Sanskrit Day
It started in 1969 when the Government of India started its establishment.
This day honors the contribution of Panini to Sanskrit language and linguistics.
It coincides with the birth anniversary of Panini, which emphasizes the purpose of the celebration.
The event has gained global recognition, bringing together Sanskrit scholars and enthusiasts from around the world.
4. National Sports Day - 29 August
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National Sports Day in India is celebrated every year on 29 August.
An Overview of the News
The day commemorates the enduring legacy of Major Dhyan Chand, the great Indian hockey player.
It serves as a tribute to the extraordinary achievements of athletes and their influence in shaping society.
The theme for this year's National Sports Day celebrations is "Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society".
People can participate in the celebration by using the hashtag #NationalSportsDay in their social media posts.
History of National Sports Day
The National Sports Day celebrated in India is based on the birth of Major Dhyan Chand, an eminent sports personality known for his hockey excellence.
Major Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, and started his career in the British Indian Army Regimental Team.
Due to his remarkable skill, India won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in hockey in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
In 2012, the Government of India declared Major Dhyan Chand's birthday as National Sports Day to honor his unique contribution to sports.
The primary goal of this declaration was toinspire future generations and emphasize the importance of promoting sports and physical fitness among all strata of society.
5. Women's Equality Day - 26 August
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Women's Equality Day is celebrated every year on 26 August.
An Overview of the News
The day acknowledges the ongoing global struggle for equal rights and opportunities for women.
It serves as a tribute to the universal suffrage movement and celebrates the progress of women.
The day reinforces the commitment to achieve gender equality at the global level.
The theme of Women's Equality Day 2023:
The theme for Women's Equality Day 2023 is "Embrace Equality".
This theme is in line with the Strategic Plan from 2021 to 2026.
"Embracing Equality" underscores the importance of achieving gender equality.
Gender equality is seen not only as a driver of economic development but also as a fundamental human right.
History of Women's Equality Day
It begins with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which gives women the right to vote.
Its importance is attached to 26 August 1970, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of this important amendment.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) took advantage of this opportunity by advocating a "strike for equality".
More than 100,000 women participated in strikes organized by NOW in more than 90 major US cities.
The wide participation in the strike highlighted the importance of continuing efforts toward gender equality.
In 1971, the US Congress officially established Women's Equality Day to honor the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment and the ongoing pursuit of full women's rights.
6. World Water Week - 20 to 24 August
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World Water Week, a global event organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute since 1991, will take place at the Waterfront Congress Center from 20 to 24 August.
An Overview of the News
This non-profit event serves as a platform to address the global water crisis and various related challenges.
It aims to develop solutions to the international water crisis (along with many other problems).
Water, an important natural resource, plays an important role in our daily activities like drinking and cleaning. Therefore its conservation is very important.
The theme for World Water Week 2023 is "Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World," The theme encourages a re-evaluation of water management practices and emphasizes the need for new ideas, innovations, and effective governance systems in the face of increasing water scarcity, and instability around the world.
History of World Water Week
World Water Week is a recurring global event that has taken place every year since its inception in 1991.
The event is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a non-profit organization committed to advocating for sustainable water solutions.
The first World Water Week was held in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The theme of the opening ceremony was "Water: An Imminent Crisis."
The event brought together water experts and professionals from around the world to discuss and address challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.
Since its inception, World Water Week has been held continuously in Stockholm.
The event serves as an important platform for international stakeholders to engage in discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts to tackle various water-related issues.
7. Muslim Women's Rights Day - 1 August
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Muslim Women's Rights Day is observed annually on 1 August to mark the second anniversary of the enactment of the law against triple talaq.
An Overview of the News
A law against triple talaq was introduced by the central government of India on August 1, 2019, making the practice a criminal offence.
The legislation is a part of the Protection of Rights on Marriage Act 2019, which outlaws instant triple talaq and protects the marriage rights of Muslim women.
By celebrating Muslim Women's Rights Day, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs highlights the importance of protecting the rights of Muslim women and promotes awareness about the impact of the law.
History of Muslim Women's Rights Day
The Supreme Court in August 2017 declared the practice of triple talaq, a form of divorce based on the husband saying talaq three times in succession, as 'unconstitutional'.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling and the triple talaq cases in India, the government introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in Parliament in December 2017.
The bill was initially passed by the Lok Sabha, but faced opposition in the Rajya Sabha, due to which it stalled.
The bill was reintroduced and successfully passed by both the Houses of Parliament in July 2019.
The bill got assent from President Ram Nath Kovind and officially became a law.
The law outlaws instant triple talaq, punishes three years' imprisonment for violations, and imposes a fine on the violator.
Muslim Women's Rights Day is observed on 1 August to mark the passage of the Triple Talaq Bill in Parliament on 1 August 2019.
The cases of 'Shah Bano Begum and others v. Mohd. Ahmed Khan' and 'Shayra Bano v. Union of India and others' laid the foundation for this move.
Shayra Banu in her writ petition sought the Supreme Court to declare the practices of Talaq-e-bidat, polygamy and nikah-halala as unconstitutional.
8. World Breastfeeding Week 2023: Advocating for maternity rights and breastfeeding at the workplace!
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World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from 1st August to 7th August to promote regular breastfeeding for infants, as it plays an important role in their healthy development.
An Overview of the News
Breast milk is considered the best food for newborns because of its many benefits, including the presence of antibodies that help protect babies from various common childhood diseases.
Despite its importance, current data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that less than half of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed.
The WBW campaign is strongly supported by WHO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and civil society partners, which aims to improve child health and survival through breastfeeding.
In 2018, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution endorsing World Breastfeeding Week as an important health promotion strategy, recognizing its importance in maternal and child health.
Theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2023:
The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" The focus is on advocating for essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding, including a minimum of 18 weeks of maternity leave, ideally extended over 6 months, and workplace accommodations to facilitate breastfeeding beyond this period.
History of World Breastfeeding Week
It was established in 1992 under the initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).
This annual week-long event is held in honour of the 1990 Innocence Proclamation.
The Innocenti Declaration resulted from a policymakers' meeting on the topic "Breastfeeding in the 1990s: A Global Initiative".
The meeting was co-sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).
The event took place from 30 July to 1 August 1990 at the Spedale degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy.
The primary objective of World Breastfeeding Week is to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of babies and mothers around the world.
9. International Tiger Day - 29 July
Tags: Important Days
International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29th July with the primary objective of raising awareness about tiger conservation globally and working towards saving this endangered species.
An Overview of the News
World Tiger Day originated in 2010 in Petersburg, Russia, when representatives from 13 tiger range countries came together to support the Tx2 strategy. The global objective of this strategy was to double the population of wild tigers by 2022.
On the occasion of Global Tiger Day celebrated in Corbett Tiger Reserve on 29 July 2023, Union Minister of State Ashwini Kumar Choubey released a comprehensive report related to tiger conservation.
The tiger population in India is about 3925, showing an annual growth rate of 6.1 percent.
Among Indian states, Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of tigers, with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
Within tiger reserves, Corbett boasts of the highest tiger abundance with 260 tigers, followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135), Dudhwa (135), Mudumalai (114), Kanha (105) , and Kaziranga ( 104).
The data used for these calculations was collected by the Wildlife Institute of India from both camera-trapped and non-camera-trapped areas, with an estimated upper limit of 3925 tigers and an average of 3682 tigers.
In April 2023, during the celebration of 50 years of Project Tiger in Mysore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a minimum tiger population target of 3167 tigers. The project was started in 1973 with only 268 tigers.
10. World Ranger Day - 31 July
Tags: Important Days
World Ranger Day is observed annually on 31 July as a day to honour and appreciate courageous individuals committed to wildlife conservation and natural resource conservation.
An Overview of the News
The day acknowledges the selfless efforts of rangers around the world, who work tirelessly to protect fragile ecosystems and endangered species, which deserve the utmost respect and appreciation.
The theme for World Ranger Day 2023 is "30 by 30", focusing on the momentum for the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). The theme highlights the goal of protecting and effectively managing at least 30 percent of the planet's areas by 2030, stressing the urgent need for increased conservation efforts to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
History of World Ranger Day
It originates from the International Ranger Federation (IRF), an organisation formed in 1992 to advocate for and assist park rangers globally.
World Ranger Day was inaugurated in 2007, dedicated to the memory of eight rangers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Over the years, World Ranger Day has gained wide recognition as an annual event to honour and appreciate the invaluable contribution made by rangers.
The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the various challenges and risks that rangers face during their important work of protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
