Important Dates & Festivities - Current Affairs for November, 2016

On the occasion of Constitution Day, CJI Justice TS Thakur released a book published by the Publications Division titled “Courts of India–Past to Present”.

Book was designed as a Coffee table book with archival value photos steered by the Editorial Committee headed by Justice SA Bobde and other legal luminaries

Courts of India traces the historical evolution of courts, identifying the diverse court system and contextualising it.

26th Nov 2016 is the second Constitution Day in Indian history. In 2015, the BJP led NDA government at the centre declared 26th Nov as Constitution Day by the 19th Nov gazette notification.

Day was earlier celebrated as National Law Day, after an SC resolution in 1979.

67 years ago, on 26th Nov 1949, the Constitution of India was adopted.

The Constituent Assembly commenced its first session for the Constitution on 9th Dec 1946. It took 11 sessions by the Constituent Assembly to complete the Constitution. Around 17 committees were formed in the Constituent Assembly.

There were 299 members of the Constituent Assembly. 284 members finally signed the Constitution.

15 women were part of the Constituent Assembly.

165 days was the period for which the Constituent Assembly held meetings

It took 2 years, 11 months and 17 days to complete writing the constitution.

Activities like mock Parliament, essay and debate competitions are organised across the country on the occasion.

CBSE has also asked affiliated schools to celebrate the day.

It works as a catalyst to promote harmony and fraternity among all countrymen.

Two books on the Constitution were released on 25th Nov 2016

About India’s Constitution

The Constitution is a core legal document which lists the following:

• Fundamental rights of citizens
• Duties
• Role of the government
• Interaction between government and citizens
• Powers of Prime Minister, President, Governor and CM
• It also defined how the federal structure of the country will be maintained
• Constitution has nearly 400 articles or provisions
• It defines the powers of the legislature, executive and judiciary
• Separation of powers is the key feature of the Constitution

Indian Constitution has incorporated ideas from the constitution of:


• UK
• US
• Ireland
• Germany
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan

Every year, 26th Nov is celebrated as National Milk Day. It is held on this day to mark the birth anniversary of the Father of the White Revolution, Dr. Verghese Kurien.

National Milk Day was first mooted by the Indian Dairy Association in 2014.

It was on the lines of World Milk Day observed on June 1 under UN FAO. This includes National Dairy Development Board, IDA along with 22 state level milk federations.

Dr. Kurien, known as the Father of the White Revolution in India, was a social entrepreneur. His billion litre idea Operation Flood made India the world’s largest milk producer

Operation Flood is the world’s largest agricultural dairy development program.

India was able to surpass the US by 1988, making 17 percent of the global output in 2010-2011.

Dairy farming became India’s largest self sustaining industry with benefits for employment, incomes, credit, nutrition, education, health, gender and caste parity and grassroots democracy and leadership.

Awards and honours bestowed on Dr. Kurien include:

• Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963)
• World Food Prize (1989)
• Padma Shri (1965)
• Padma Bhushan (1966)
• Padma Vibhushan (1999).

Milk Production in India


• The Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare has indicated milk production has recorded a growth rate of 6.28 percent in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
• Per capital availability of milk rose from 307 gram per day in 2013-14 to 340 grams per day in 2015-16, a growth of 5% which was below 3% before 2014-15.
• India is a world leader in milk production since the past 15 years.
• With 190.90 million cattle (as per the 19th Livestock Census 2012) has 13 percent of the world cattle population. Of this 151 million are indigenous, which marks 80 percent of the total cattle population.
• India is the world leader in bovine population having 18 percent of the world population
• The nation is also contributing 20 percent of milk in the world

Union culture secretary Narendra Kumar Sinha on 25th Nov released a commemorative non circulation INR 500 coin and a INR 10 circulation coin to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Hindu saint and social reformer Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In association with the ISKCON and Vrindavan Research Institute, the Centre is organising numerous programmes and exhibitions on Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s life and teachings.

He was a distinguished promoter for the Vaishnava School of Bhakti Yoga.

The Bhakti movement sought to eradicate the evils of caste and feudal systems during the middle ages in India.

The saint propagated the worship of Shri Krishna and promoted the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra to all without discrimination.

According to an official statement, it is held that in 1515, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavan with the aim of locating the holy places associated with Lord Krishna.

It is believed through his intuitive powers, the saint was able to locate the places associated with Lord Shri Krishna and restore the pristine purity of religious practices.

About Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a spiritual teacher, saint and social reformer
• Founded Guadiya Vaishnavism
• Born: Feb 18, 1486, Nabadwip (now in Sylhet Bangladesh)
• Died: June 1534, Puri
• Guru: Ishvara Puri
• Parents: Jagannath Misra and Sachi Devi

The 2016 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was observed across the world on 25th Nov 2016.

The theme for the day was “Orange the World - Raise Funds to End Violence Against Women”.

Colour orange in the theme symbolises a better future without the pervasive human rights violation.

Violence affects 1 in 3 women and girls all over the globe.

International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed to raise awareness about violence against women.

The aim is also to discuss solutions that work for women community.

United Nations designated the day as:

• Violence against women is a human rights violation
• Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women in law, in practice and of persisting inequalities between men and women
• Violence against women impedes progress in many areas
• Violence against girls and women can be prevented
• Violence against women continue to be a global pandemic
• Date came from a brutal assassination in 1960 of three Mirabai sisters who were political activists in the Dominican Republic
• On 20th December 1993, UNGA by resolution 48/104 adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women

World Philosophy Day was conceived by UNESCO; it is celebrated every 3rd Thursday of the month of Nov

• It was first celebrated on 21 Nov 2002
• UNESCO underlies the enduring value of the philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and individual
• UNESCO has been linked to philosophy in the global context
• The objective of the day is to encourage the peoples of the world to share their philosophical heritage and to open their minds to new ideas
• The day also aims at public debate between intellectuals and civil society on the challenges confronting society.
• UNESCO’s World Philosophy Day falls in line with International Day for Tolerance on 16th Nov 2016

Thailand celebrated the festival of lights called Loi Krathong which is celebrated in honour of Lord Buddha

• The main event includes releasing sky lanterns and aerial krathongs, meaning decorated baskets
• Restrictions on festivities were placed in light of the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej
• Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar; therefore, the exact date of the festival changes annually
• In the Western calendar it usually falls in the month of November.
• In 2015 it was celebrated on Nov 25
• Thailand is a SE Asian country known for its monuments and beaches
• The capital is Bangkok and the currency is Thai baht
• Prime minister of Thailand is Prayut Chan-o-cha, while official language is Thai

Meghalaya has become the first state to deliver India’s first Cherry Blossom Festival, widely celebrated in Japan

• The 4 day festival will showcase the beauty of pink and white cherry blossoms and the traditional arts and culture of the state
• Chief Minister Mukul Sangma inaugurated the first Cherry Blossom festival in Shillong
• This is appreciated in partnership with the Institute of Bio resources and sustainable development for joint conceptualisation of Meghalaya as a major tourist destination
• IBSD is a national institute of the centre’s Department of Biotechnology
• Cherry Blossom Festival is also called Sakura Festival in Japan
• It is held in April every year
• The other countries which celebrate this festival include Australia, Korea, China and the US
• The Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival generates USD 126 million each year
• The festival will set the stage for 2017 in India, which has been declared by the UN as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

The International Day for Tolerance was observed internationally on 16th Nov 2016.

• The day aims at educating masses about the need for tolerance in society and helping them to understand the negative effects of intolerance
• To mark the day and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO instituted a prize in 1995 for promotion of tolerance and non-violence.
• The award is for significant activities in the fields of scientific, artistic, cultural or communication aimed at promoting tolerance and non violence
• In 2016, the prize was awarded to Federal Research and Methodological Centre for Tolerance Psychology and Education of Russia
• The UNGA in 1996 by its resolution 51/95 invited UN member states to observe international day for tolerance on 16th Nov
• The action was in wake of 1995 being proclaimed as the United Nations Year for Tolerance
• UNESCO member states also adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow Up Plan of Action on 16th Nov 1995

President Pranab Mukherjee and PM Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to the nation’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on his 127^th birth anniversary

• Tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary were forthcoming from Vice President Hamid Ansari, former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi’s ex CM Sheila Dixit
• Nehru was born to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani on Nov 14, 1889 in Allahabad, UP
• His birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day as he was fond of children
• He remained in office till his death in 1964
• He became the PM when India gained independence on Aug 15, 1947 and remained in office till his death on May 27, 1964
• Shanti Van is the name of the Nehru memorial on the banks of river Yamuna to pay homage to the leader

The World Science Day for Peace and Development 2016 was observed on 10th Nov 2016 across the world.

• The theme for 2016 is Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museum.
• To mark the day, UNESCO conducted several discussions, special campaigns, visit to science museums for school children and to raise awareness about benefits of science worldwide.
• For 2016, the theme Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums is chosen to highlight the importance of museums and science centres for capacity building, advocacy, and sending strong messages about the criticality of science for sustainable development.
• Science centres and museums play a critical role in nurturing curiosity and serving as living labs of creativity.
• They help societies to meet challenges and provide a motivation for students to pursue careers in science.
• Objective is to strengthen public awareness on the role of science for peaceful and sustainable societies and promote international solidarity for shared science between nations.
• The aim is to promote national and international solidarity for shared science between nations.
• The World Science Day for Peace and Development was created as a followup to the World Conference on Science organised by UNESCO and the International Council for Science in Hungary Budapest in 1999.

The Haryana government has announced as part of the International Gita Mahotsav that the government is tying up with numerous organisations to hold aarti simultaneously across different countries.

• Aarti will be held at Brahm Sarovar in Kurukshetra on Dec 10 and will be telecast on YouTube.
• Haryana state government will hold the Mahotsav from Dec 6-10.
• Government has allocated a budget of INR 12 crore to the Kurukshetra Development Board for the Mahotsav.
• Gita Mahotsav has been celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Srimand Bhagwat Gita, a sacred scripture containing important advice of Lord Krishna to Arjuna, the third Pandava in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
• This was on the first day of the famous 18-day battle in the Mahabharata.

The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict was observed internationally on 6th Nov 2016.

• On 5th November 2001, the UNGA has declared Nov 6 of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict through the resolution A/RES/56/4.
• On 27th May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted the resolution UNEP/EA.2/Res15 to recognise the role of healthy ecosystems and manage resources sustainably in reducing armed conflicts risk.
• It also committed itself to the total implementation of the SDG goals in resolution 70/1 of the General Assembly entitled "Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development".
• The environment is also affected by war as water wells become polluted, crops are torched, deforestation takes place and soil as well as animals are poisoned.
• United Nations Environment Program has found over last 6 decades, at least 40 percent of the internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources.
• Conflicts involving natural resources are twice as likely to relapse.

The first World Tsunami Awareness Day was celebrated worldwide on Nov 5, 2016.

• The theme for the year was Effective Education and Evacuation Drills.
• In December 2015, the UNGA designated 5th Nov as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
• World tsunami awareness can be traced to 1854, when the first tsunami early warning system was documented.
• A villager in Wakayama in Japan was concerned about the impending tsunami following a high intensity earthquake on Nov 5, 1854.
• Fire was set to the rice sheaves atop the hill and villagers who went to put off the fire were saved as their village was destroyed by the tsunami.
• To celebrate the day of Inamura no Hi (the burning of rice sheaves), a resolution was jointly prepared by 142 countries including Japan as a follow-up of the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The United Nations designated 5th Nov as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
• Observing this day will spread awareness among people for dangers of tsunami.
• This will stress the importance of early warning systems to mitigate damage from devastating natural hazard.
• The day also aims at reviving traditional knowledge about tsunamis.
• Awareness raising activities will be organised throughout the Conference through thematic events, exhibitions and distribution of awareness materials.

Minister of Textile Smt. Zubin Irani will inaugurate the exhibition cum sale of handicrafts developed by Artisans of Clusters at Dilli Haat on 2nd Nov 2016.

• The fair is being marketed by Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations with financial assistance from the office of Development Commissioner Handicrafts.
• The event will feature cluster artisans from all over the country.
• It will also showcase the best of Indian handicrafts in quality, design and versatility from all over the country.

The 51st Haryana Day was observed on Nov 1st, 2016 as the Swarna Jayanti - Haryana Golden Jubilee.

• This day marks completion of 50 years of Haryana’s existence as a state of the federal map of India.
• The year will be celebrated as Haryana’s Swarna Jayanti from 1st Nov 2016 to 31st Oct 2017.
• PM Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the year long celebrations.
• State government has also declared Nov 1st as a public holiday in Gurugram district under section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
• To mark the occasion, CM Manohar Lal Khattar announced many incentives for people of the state on 31st Oct 2016 such as social security pension, financial assistance to destitute children, fiscal assistance to ex-servicemen.
• The CM also launched a web portal Saksham called Shikshit Yuva Sammanit Hua.
• Haryana is one of 29 states in India and it was carved out of the former state of Punjab on 1st Nov 1966 on a linguistic basis.

World Cities Day was observed on 31st October 2016 with the following theme: Inclusive Cities, Shared Development.

• This year’s theme highlights the important role of urbanisation as a source of social inclusion and international development.
• Acknowledging the significance of urban basic services as a foundation for social and economic development, the UNGA by resolution 68/239 designated 31st October as World Cities Day.
• Planned urbanisation optimises the capacity of cities to generate jobs and money and foster social cohesion and diversity between different classes, cultures, ethnicities and religions.
• Cities designed to live together create opportunities, improve connection and interaction and facilitate sustainable use of shared resources.

International Internet Day is celebrated across the world on the 29th of October, 2016. Since the year 2005, the International Internet Day was famously celebrated for commemorating a special day in the history of telecom and technology.

• The sending of the first message which was electronic transferred from one computer to another was in 1969 that day.
• The International Internet Day is also celebrated for initiation of an on line project culminating from society, of the society and for the society.
• International Internet Day project is open to everyone and anyone just as access to the internet is free and open for everyone.
• The International Internet Day celebrates its grand democratic fervour essentially linked to the idea of liberation, where everyone is afforded an equal opportunity and advantage to the share of services connecting the world to each other.
• Internet in the 1960s was known as ARPANET or Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.
• This was the year of 1969 when student programmer at UCLA, Charley Kline transmitted the first ever message.
• The internet is a worldwide publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that are involved in data transmission through packet switching, using standard IP protocol.
• Internet has become a cause for celebration worldwide.

October 28, 2016 was observed as the National Ayurveda Day across the nation by AYUSH Ministry.

• The Ministry also organised a day-long seminar on national range for the prevention and control of diabetes on the occasion.
• Mission "Madhumedha" was also launched on this occasion through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.
• Advisor to the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy informed states across the country about the decision and the theme will be "Ayurveda for Prevention and Control of Diabetes".
• Mission Madhumedha will be implemented throughout the nation through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.
• Dhanvantari is the God of Ayurvedas and it is fitting that the National Ayurveda Day is observed on Dhanvanthri Jayanthi or Dhanteras.
• State AYUSH directorates, ayurveda educational institutions and pharma companies commemorates the occasion through organisation of public lectures, seminars and exhibitions.
• Health check-up camps and awareness programs were also held on this occasion.
• Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy abbreviated as AYUSH is a governmental body in India associated with developing, education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa Riga and other Indigenous medicine systems.
• Department was created in March 1995 as the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• AYUSH received its current name in March 2003- it was operated under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Ministry of AYUSH was formed w.e.f November 9, 2014 by elevation of the department of AYUSH.
• Minister of state independent charge Shripad Yasso Naik was elected to the 13th LS from Panaji constituency of Goa.