Important Days Current Affairs

Important National and International Day, Latest Update for Competitive Exams.

World Mental Health Day : October 10

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year to raise awareness and promote positive change regarding mental health. The theme for 2023 is “Mental health is a universal human right,” aimed at enhancing understanding and encouraging actions to safeguard mental health as a universal human right.

In 1992, the World Foundation for Mental Health, led by Richard Hunter, proposed the idea of dedicating October 10 to celebrate “World Mental Health Day.” The first World Mental Health Day was commemorated in 1994, focusing on the theme “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services Throughout the World.”

MCQs

Q.: What is the theme for World Mental Health Day in 2023 ?

A. “Happiness and Well-being”
B. “Mental Health Awareness”
C. “Mental health is a universal human right”
D. “Overcoming Depression”

Ans : C. “Mental health is a universal human right”

Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri : 2 October

The nation is commemorating the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Various events and functions are being organized both in India and by Indian Missions abroad to honor Mahatma Gandhi.

A Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha took place at Bapu’s Samadhi at Rajghat in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other prominent leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence were emphasized as guiding lights in India’s struggle for independence.

The nation is also remembering former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s courage, service, and simplicity were acknowledged by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a social media post.

Q.: What iconic slogan is associated with Lal Bahadur Shastri?

a) Jai Hind
b) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
c) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
d) Make in India

Ans : b) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan

World Tourism Day : 27 September

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27th. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) established this observance in 1980. The choice of September 27th for World Tourism Day is linked to the adoption of the UNWTO’s Statutes on that day in 1970.

  1. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its various impacts: social, cultural, political, and economic.
  2. The goal is to promote sustainable and responsible tourism practices worldwide.
  3. Tourism contributes significantly to the global economy by creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and promoting sustainable development.
  4. The theme for World Tourism Day 2023 is ‘Tourism and green investment,’ emphasizing the need for targeted investments to achieve sustainable development goals.

Question: What is the theme of World Tourism Day 2023?

a) “Tourism and Cultural Diversity”
b) “Sustainable Tourism for a Better Tomorrow”
c) “Tourism and Green Investment”
d) “Exploring New Horizons in Tourism”

ans : c) “Tourism and Green Investment”

Hindi Diwas : September 14

Hindi Diwas is celebrated annually on September 14 to commemorate the adoption of Hindi as India’s official language by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.

  1. The first Hindi Diwas was observed in 1953.
  2. Hindi is one of India’s 22 scheduled languages and is predominantly spoken in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Punjab.
  3. The celebration of Hindi Diwas promotes national integration by uniting India’s linguistic communities and highlights the country’s linguistic diversity.
  4. Government offices, schools, and educational institutions organize various events on Hindi Diwas, including competitions, quizzes, cultural programs, seminars, workshops, and reading sessions.

Q.: Hindi is one of how many scheduled languages in India?

A. 11
B. 18
C. 22
D. 30

Ans : C. 22

Teachers Day : 5 September

Teachers Day is celebrated on September 5th each year in India to honour the teachers and their contribution to society. The date marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an Indian scholar, philosopher and the first Vice President of India.

  • Dr. Radhakrishnan was a respected teacher who believed that “teachers should be the best minds in the country”
  • He was also awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India, in 1954.
  • The tradition of celebrating Teachers Day on September 5 started in 1962, when some of his students visited him to wish him a happy birthday and he suggested that they should celebrate it as Teachers Day instead.
  • On this day, students express their gratitude and appreciation to their teachers through various activities, such as greeting cards, flowers, gifts, speeches and cultural programs

Q.: Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5th every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of whom?”

a) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
d) Swami Vivekananda

Ans : c) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14

India observed Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14, 2023, to honor those affected by the violent partition of India in 1947.

  • The day was first declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 to remember the sufferings and sacrifices of Indians during the partition.
  • The partition resulted in the creation of India and Pakistan, marked by communal riots, massacres, rapes, abductions, and forced migrations.
  • Approximately 15 million people were displaced and up to 2 million people were killed during the partition.
  • The day is an occasion to learn from history and ensure such horrors are not repeated.
  • Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation, acknowledging the victims of partition and emphasizing the importance of peace and harmony.
  • He praised the resilience of partition survivors who contributed to India’s development.
  • Independence Day is also a time to renew commitment to nation-building.
  • The day was marked by various events including candlelight vigils, prayer meetings, exhibitions, seminars, and cultural programs.
  • Support for Partition Horrors Remembrance Day came from political parties, civil society groups, religious leaders, and celebrities, advocating for peace and harmony among all communities.

Q.: When is Partition Horrors Remembrance Day observed in India?

a) August 15
b) August 14
c) September 1
d) July 4

Ans : b) August 14

World Lion Day – 10 August : Celebrating the king of the jungle

World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10 every year to raise awareness about the majestic and endangered lions and to mobilise support for their protection and conservation.

Lions are the largest and most social of all the big cats. They live in groups called prides and have a complex social structure. They are also the apex predators in their habitats and play a crucial role in limiting herbivore populations.

However, lions are facing many threats such as habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. According to the IUCN, there are only about 20,000 lions left in the wild, mostly in Africa.

World Lion Day enables us to learn more about these magnificent animals and why their survival is vital for the ecological balance and human well-being. It also encourages us to take action to save them from extinction.

The Gir National Park of Gujarat is the only natural home of Asiatic lions in the world. Following the consistent efforts, the number of Asiatic lions has surged to 674 as of June 2020.

Q.: Which national park is known as the natural habitat of Asiatic lions?

a) Jim Corbett National Park
b) Kaziranga National Park
c) Gir National Park
d) Bandipur National Park

Ans : c) Gir National Park

PM Narendra Modi Launches ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilp Kosh’ E-Portal at 9th National Handloom Day Celebration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 9th National Handloom Day celebration on Monday (7th August 2023) at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi. During the programme, Mr. Modi also launched the e-portal of ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilp Kosh’ – a Repository of Textiles and Crafts developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The programme was attended by over 3000 handloom and khadi weavers, artisans, and stakeholders from the textile and MSME sectors. It brought together handloom clusters across India, NIFT campuses, Weaver Service Centres, Indian Institute of Handloom Technology campuses, National Handloom Development Corporation, Handloom Export Promotion Council, KVIC institutions, and various State Handloom Departments.

The Government started celebrating National Handloom Day in 2015, with the first celebration held on the 7th of August that year. The date was specifically chosen as an ode to the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on 7th August 1905 and encouraged indigenous industries and, in particular, handloom weavers.

Question: Why was the date 7th August specifically chosen to celebrate National Handloom Day?

A) It marks the birth anniversary of a renowned handloom weaver.
B) It commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement.
C) It is the Independence Day of India.
D) It is the day when the National Institute of Fashion Technology was established.

Answer: B) It commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 85th Raising Day on 27th July 2023

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 85th Raising Day on 27th July 2023.

  1. The CRPF is India’s largest Central Armed Police Force and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  2. The day is dedicated to honoring the significant contributions of the force in safeguarding the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the country.
  3. The CRPF is paying homage to its brave martyrs who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
  4. Various events are being organized to mark the occasion, including a grand parade and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony.
  5. A noble blood donation camp is also being held as part of the celebrations.
  6. The 85th Raising Day reaffirms the CRPF’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation and its citizens.
  7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to all CRPF personnel on their Raising Day, praising their commitment to the nation’s security and acknowledging their courage, dedication, and selfless service.
  8. Director General of Central Reserve Police Force CRPF Sujoy Lal Thaosen laid a wreath at the National Police Memorial on the Raising Day of CRPF

Q.: Which organization celebrated its 85th Raising Day on 27th July 2023 ?

A) Indian Army
B) CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
C) BSF (Border Security Force)
D) IAF (Indian Air Force)

Answer: B) CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)

Kargil Vijay Diwas : July 26

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 annually to honor the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War.

  1. The day commemorates the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan during the Kargil War, also known as ‘Operation Vijay’, which occurred between May and July 1999.
  2. The war was fought by the Indian Army against Pakistan in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir, which is now a part of Ladakh.
  3. After nearly three months of armed battles on the icy heights of Kargil, the Indian troops declared victory over the Pakistani rangers.
  4. The event will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.
  5. Dignitaries attending the Kargil Vijay Diwas at Drass include Raksha Mantri (Minister of Defence) Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, three Service Chiefs, other top Army Commanders, and Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra, among others.

Q.: Which operation is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed on July 26 every year?

a) Operation Cactus
b) Operation Meghdoot
c) Operation Vijay
d) Operation Pawan

Ans : c) Operation Vijay

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