Current Affairs Important Days

 Every year, `National Technology Day' is celebrated across India on May 11 to memorize the anniversary of Shakti, the Pokhran nuclear test held on 11 May 1998. The day glorifies the importance of science in day to day life and motivates students to adopt science as the career option. The National Technology Day 2018 theme is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”. The first nuclear test Pokhran with a code named as ‘Smiling Buddha’ was carried out in May, 1974. Pokran II or Operation Shakti was initiated on 11th of May, 1998 with the detonation of two fission bombs and one fusion bomb. Two additional fission bombs were detonated on 13th of May, 1998 and the Government of India run by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister shortly convened a press conference for the declaration of India as a full-fledged nuclear state.  

Source- NDTV News

May 8 is celebrated globally as the World Red Cross Day. The day is celebrated on this day because it marks the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). World Red Cross Day theme of 2018 is “Memorable smiles from around the world”.  The day is celebrated annually in order to commemorate principles of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The day was first celebrated in 1948 when it was officially named as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

Source- The Times of India

 Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrated as the World Press Freedom Day to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. This year’s global theme for WPFD is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’.  In 2018, UNESCO will lead the 25th celebration of World Press Freedom Day. The main event, jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, will take place in Accra, Ghana.  Background: World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. This, in turn, was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.

Source- The United Nations

International Labour Day is also known as International Worker's Day, Labour Day and May Day. It is celebrated across the world on 1st May to promote and encourage the international labour associations. The theme of International Labour Day 2018 is “Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement”.

Source- NDTV News

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on 26th of April to learn about the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The theme for WIPD 2018 is 'Powering change: Women in innovation and creativity'.

Source- wipo.int

World Malaria Day is observed on April 25 every year to recognise the global effort to control malaria and also to spread awareness about the around the world. The theme for this year’s Malaria Day is ‘Ready to beat Malaria’. The theme emphasises the collective energy and commitment of the global malaria community that is uniting all around the world to curb the disease and working towards the common goal to making the world malaria free. The disease is caused by the Plasmodium parasites, which is spread to people through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, also known as malaria vectors.

Source- The WHO

The nation celebrates the National Panchayati Raj Diwas (24th Aril) as this date marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level.

Activities of PM Modi on NPRD 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mandla in Madhya Pradesh on the National Panchayati Raj Day. He launched the Rashtriya Gramin Swaraj Abhiyan, at a public meeting, and addressed Panchayati Raj representatives across the country, from Mandla.

Background: The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April 1993 has institutionalized Panchayati Raj through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is very visible as it has changed power equations irreversibly. Accordingly, the Government of India decided in consultation with the States to celebrate 24th April as National Panchayati Raj Day. Ministry of Panchayati Raj organises National Conference on 24th April every year to commemorate the National Panchayati Raj Diwas.

Source- DD News

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally this year on 23 April to provide the people with many ideas and plans to make them aware of the situation and condition in the World. The World Book Capital for 2018 is Athens, Greece. 23 April is a symbolic date for world literature. It is on this date in 1616 that Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors.

Source- The United Nations

The World Earth Day (WED) is celebrated on 22nd April not only to spread awareness of the need for conservation but also to take action to protect the environment. Earth Day is considered to be the largest secular world event. This day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970 and has ever since been an annual event. The theme for World Earth Day 2018 is 'End Plastic Pollution'. Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally.

Source- earthday.org

Every year, 18th April is celebrated Worldwide as World Heritage Day to create awareness about Heritage among communities. This year the theme is 'Heritage for Generations'. The theme emphasizes on inter-generational transfer of knowledge. In India, World heritage day will be celebrated at National Rail Museum, New Delhi. There are total 36 world heritage sites in India, as designated by UNESCO.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)