1. World Minority Rights Day
Tags: Important Days
International Minority Rights Day is celebrated every year on 18 December across the world.
Important facts
The purpose of this day is to maintain the right to freedom and equality for minorities and to create awareness about the respect of minorities.
The day focuses on the challenges and issues faced by minority communities of different ethnic origins.
The government on this day ensures efforts to guarantee their rights of non-discrimination and equality.
The theme of 2022 is "All in 4 Minority Rights".
In India, this day is organised by the National Commission for Minorities.
The National Commission for Minorities was established in the year 1992 by the Central Government under the National Commission for Minorities Act.
Background of the day
The United Nations on December 18, 1992, adopted and broadcast the Statement on the individual's Rights belonging to Religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities.
Who are Minorities?
According to the definition of the United Nations, a community that does not have any influence socially, economically and politically and whose population is negligible, will be called a minority.
The word 'minority' has been used in Articles 29, 30, 350A and 350B of the Indian Constitution but its definition has not been given.
In India, minority applies to Muslim, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist, Parsis (Zoroastrian) and Jain religions.
2. Goa Liberation Day
Tags: Important Days
Goa Liberation Day is celebrated annually on 19th December to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by the Indian armed forces to defeat Portuguese colonial forces and liberate Goa in 1961.
Important facts
It was on 19 December 1961 that Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule.
It is an important day for the people of Goa and the entire country as it was after the freedom that Goa attained its statehood.
History of Goa Liberation Day
The Portuguese colonial presence in Goa began in 1510, when Afonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur king with the help of a local ally, Timayya.
The Portuguese fought frequent battles with the Marathas and the Deccan Sultanates. Goa was briefly occupied by the British between 1812 and 1815. In 1843, the capital was shifted from Velha Goa to Panaji.
Goa was Portugal’s most prized possession in India and the biggest territory in Estado da India Portuguesa or the Portuguese empire in India.
Leaders such as Tristão de Bragança Cunha, known as the father of Goan nationalism, founded the Goan National Congress in 1928 at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.
In 1946, socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia led a historic rally in Goa which became a landmark moment in the freedom struggle of Goa.
How was independence achieved?
After 1947, Portugal refused to negotiate with independent India on the transfer of sovereignty of its Indian enclaves.
The Indian government finally declared that Goa should join India “either with full peace or with full use of force”.
On 18 and 19 December 1961, a full-scale military operation called 'Operation Vijay' was launched, which led to the annexation of Goa by India.
As a result, Goa, Daman, and Diu became Union Territories of India.
Goa remained a Union Territory until 1987 and was then given the status of India's 25th state.
3. Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated 'Prashasan Gaon ki Ore' campaign under Good Governance Week 2022
Tags: Important Days National News
Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 'Prashasan Gaon ki Ore', a nationwide campaign under the Good Governance Week 2022 in New Delhi on 19th December. He also launched the Good Governance Week portal.
Important facts
In the 5 days campaign, over 300 New Services identified by District Collectors across the country will be added for Online Service Delivery.
The nationwide campaign for redressal of public grievances and improvement in service delivery will be organised in all districts, states and union territories of the country.
More than 700 district collectors will participate in the campaign and officers will visit tehsil and panchayat samiti headquarters.
During the initial phase of Good Governance Week 2022, organised from 10th to 18th of this month, District Collectors have identified more than 81 lakh applications for service delivery.
Along with this, more than 19 lakh public grievances are to be redressed through the State Portal.
373 best governance practices were identified for discussion in district level workshops. The workshop will be organised on the 23rd of this month.
During the 'Good Governance Week' of Good Governance Week-2022 from December 19 to December 25, 43 success stories in public grievances will also be shared.
What is Good Governance?
Good governance refers to processes and institutions that produce outcomes that make the best use of resources while meeting the needs of society.
The constitution is based on the principles of a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic committed to democracy, the rule of law and the welfare of its citizens.
Every citizen of the nation is primarily concerned with the efficient functioning of the government.
Principles of Good Governance
Participation
Rule of law
Transparency
Responsiveness
Consensus orientation
Equity
Effectiveness and efficiency
Accountability
4. International Migrants Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year 18 December is observed as International Migrants Day to recognize the important contribution of migrants and also to highlight the challenges they face.
The UN Migration Agency defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence.
In a tweet, the United Nations said, one in every 30 people in the world is a migrant. According to the United Nations there were over 281 million International migrants in 2020.
Background to the Day
The United Nations General Assembly on 4 December 2000 passed a resolution to observe 18 December as the International Migrants Day.
The 18 December date was chosen because on this day in 1990 the UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
No Theme has been announced for the International Migrants Day 2022.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Ministry of Power to celebrate “Energy Conservation Day 2022”
Tags: Important Days National News
.jpg)
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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
