Important Dates & Festivities - Current Affairs for June, 2016

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the eve of their National Day (June 30, 2016).

• In a message to His Excellency Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the President has extended his greetings

The 10th National Statistics Day was celebrated on June 29th 2016 on the birth anniversary of late statistician PC Mahalanobis

• The objective is to create awareness about the importance of statistics in daily life
• The theme was social development.
• World Statistics Day is celebrated on October 20 worldwide

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Republic of Seychelles on its 41st National Day

• The current president of the republic is James Alix Michel

This day was observed with the theme Listen First. This is a 2016 initiative to increase support for drug abuse prevention associated with science and an effective investment in well being of children and youth

• On this day, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also released the World Drug Report 2016.

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee greets Djibouti on their eve of their Independence Day on June 27, 2016.

• The president of the Republic of Djibouti is currently His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh
• India will work with Djibouti for strengthening cordial relations between the two countries

Day of the Seafarer 2016 was observed across the world on 25th June 2016 and the theme for the year is At Sea For All.

• This theme has clear links with 2016 World Maritime Day theme as Shipping: Indispensable to the World
• Themes highlight that seafarers serve at sea for the entire world
• Day of the Seafarer is observed across the world for contribution to civil and economic society

The 2016 Summer Olympics host city Rio de Janeiro launched its athletes village to mark the day

• Brazilian city will host the XXXI Olympiad between 5-21 August 2016
• International Olympic Day is celebrated since 1948 when it was initiated for the commencement of the games on 23rd June 1948 at Sorbonne in Paris.
• There are three main pillars of the IOC day-discover, learn and move
• Three pillars of sports are deployed by the National Olympic Committee into sports, educational and cultural activities

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee extended greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Slovenia on the eve of their National Day i.e June 25, 2016.

• The current president of the Republic of Slovenia is Borut Pahor and the two nations share warm and cordial ties

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Emir and people of Qatar on the eve of the anniversary of accession of His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The day in question was June 25, 2016.

• Historical and friendly relations are occurring in cultural religions and economic spheres between the two countries.

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Government and people of the Republic of Mozambique on the eve of their Independence Day which is June 25, 2016.

• Mr Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, president of the Republic of Mozambique was congratulated by the President.
• India and the African nation share close bilateral ties.
• State Visit to India in August 2015 was followed by participation of the PM of Mozambique in the IAFS III Summit in Delhi in October 2015
• Friendship and cooperation between the two countries is strong

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Government and people of the Republic of Madagascar on eve of their national day on June 26, 2016.

• The current president of the Republic of Madagascar is Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
• India and Madagascar, an African nation enjoy cordial relations.

The two day ‘International Conference on Yoga for Body and Beyond’ came to a successful close in New Delhi on 23rd June 2016.

• The conference was organised by the Ministry of AYUSH as a part of International Day of Yoga celebrations.
• The International Conference was held to deliberate upon the benefits of yoga to the individual, community, the society and the world at large.
• It was attended by Yoga experts from India and more than 80 international delegates from 35 countries.

President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Grand Duke and people of Luxembourg on the occasion of their National Day (June 23, 2016).

• In a message to His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg,the president extended greetings and felicitations
• India and Luxembourg enjoy friendly relations marked by goodwill, cooperation and mutual understanding

World Hydrographic Day was celebrated by the Southern Naval Command on 21 Jun 16.

• The theme for this year was ‘Hydrography - The Key to Well Managed Seas And Waterways’.
• There are three survey ships based in Kochi. In addition, a Hydrographic Survey Unit (Kochi) functions under the Southern Naval Command. While the Survey Unit undertakes local surveys, the ships carry out hydrograhic surveys both in Indian as well as international waters.
• All the three ships have been involved in Foreign Cooperation Surveys in the recent past in friendly countries like Tanzania, Kenya and Mauritius. This provides an excellent platform for better diplomatic engagements with foreign nations.
• Hydrographic day has been celebrated worldwide every year on 21 June since 2005 .
• The day is observed to create awareness about hydrography which is an essential science before undertaking any activity on or under the sea.

PM Narendra Modi celebrated the second International Day of Yoga at Chandigarh on 21st June where he joined around 30,000 participants in mass Yoga demonstration

• PM said all people have been connected with Yoga and the world is coming together to promote this ancient Indian art
• PM Modi also said that with zero budget, Yoga provides health assurance and does not discriminate between the rich and the poor.

First International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed on 19 June 2016.

• The day was observed to raise awareness for the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.
• It calls to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.
• The term “conflict-related sexual violence” refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization and forced marriage.
• It also includes any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked (temporally, geographically or causally) to a conflict.
• On 19 June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/69/293) proclaimed 19 June of each year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

World Refugee Day was observed on 20 June 2016. It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems.

• It also recognises contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.
• According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, refugee is a person who fled his or her home and country owing to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
• Many refugees are in exile to escape the effects of natural or human-made disasters.

Ganges Danube Cultural Festival of India in Hungary was launched on June 17, 2016 at Vigado Theatre in Budapest, Hungary. The International Day of Yoga followed by a Yoga workshop on June 18th.

• Festival showcased Indian culture that is, dance, music, yoga, film and exhibitions, Indian martial arts and puppet artists
• Festival is set to be staged in Hungarian cities including Budapest such as Szeged and Budapest.

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to GoI of the Republic of Iceland on the eve of national day on June 17, 2016

• Dr. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, president of Iceland was congratulated by President Pranab Mukherjee on this occassion
• Foreign Minister of Iceland came to India in April 2016

World Blood Donors Day (WBDD) 2016 was observed on 14 June 2016. The theme of the 2016 World Blood Donor Day campaign is Blood connects us all. The theme highlights the common bond that all people share in their blood.

• The slogan for 2016 WBDD is Share life, give blood.
• The slogan focuses on voluntary donation systems.
• The voluntary donation systems play a pivotal role in encouraging people to care for one another and promoting community cohesion.

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee extended greetings and felicitations to Government people of Russian Federation on the eve of Day of Russia on June 12, 2016

• Putin, the President of the Russian Federation is currently its premier
• India has a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to Government and people of the Republic of Philippines on the eve of their Independence Day (June 12, 2016)

• Currently, the President of the Republic of Philippines is Benigno S. Aquino III.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of Portugal on the eve of their National Day (June 10, 2016).

• In a message to His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Portuguese Republic, the President has said warm greetings and extended his cordial wishes

A strike called by Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa in Amritsar, the 32nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star was observed at Golden Temple on Monday June 6. Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation which resulted in conflict and violence.

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended greetings and felicitations to King and Kingdom of Sweden on the eve of their national day. The king of Sweden is currently Carl XVI Gustaf.

On this day, PM Narendra Modi asked the nation to take the pledge to work towards conservation of environment resources saying that earth should be kept clean and green. PM Modi also said the day was a commitment to protect the environment and live in harmony and balance with nature

• The theme of the World Environment Day according to the UN is Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Italy on the eve of their Republic Day (June 2, 2016).

• In a message to His Excellency Mr. Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic of Italy, the President has congratulated the premier

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya on the eve of their Madaraka Day (June 1, 2015) and Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya.