Important Dates & Festivities - Current Affairs for September, 2017

Regiment of Artillery, one of the largest Arms of the Indian Army celebrated 190th Gunners’ Day on 28 September 2017. The Gunners’ Day is celebrated to commemorate the raising of the first Indian Artillery Unit namely, 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery on this day in 1827. Over the ages, Artillery has proven to be the arm of decision, a battle winning factor and will continue to be the pivotal arm in all future battles. The Regiment of Artillery embarked itself on a path of modernisation, both in terms of equipment and support systems as well under the “Make in India” initiative of the Government of India.

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th Formation Day of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on 28th Sept 2017. The theme of this year’s formation day is ‘School Safety’. India received appreciation at NDMA’s work at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on Disaster management held in Kyrgyzstan. NDMA has done good work for enhancing the disaster management capabilities. The Home Minister said that he had also moved a proposal to organise a Joint Urban Earthquake Search and Rescue exercise to improve collective preparedness and this proposal was accepted unanimously by all the members of the SCO. NDMA was congratulated for focussing on integrating children in their disaster management exercise. NDMA was also lauded for making efforts for disaster safety and he expressed belief that NDMA will fulfil dream of a ‘Safe India’. Our climatic conditions and density of population make us prone to disasters. He added that 2% of GDP is lost due to disasters. There is a paradigm shift from relief-centric approach to holistic approach towards disasters. Regarding the theme of ‘School safety’ a lot of school infrastructure is lost in disasters and education services also get affected in post-disaster phase. Children become more vulnerable, so special care and attention needs to be given to them. India had hosted the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) in New Delhi which was first such conference after Sendai framework. New Delhi Declaration, Asian Regional Plan were adopted during the AMCDRR, 2016. National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction meeting was held in New Delhi in May this year. India is hosting first ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ from 10th-13th October this year. India’s efforts in conducting joint exercise by SAARC nations (SAADMEx) to respond to simulated disaster situations, urban flooding and cyclones are appreciable. A comprehensive plan to mitigate the effects of earthquake and landslides is also being formed. On the occasion, the Union Home Minster also released National Disaster Management Guidelines on Boat Safety and Cultural Heritage Sites & Precincts. A study report on “Tamil Nadu floods: Lessons learnt and best practices’’ was also released by Shri Rajnath Singh.

Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) celebrated its diamond jubilee for completing 60 years in supporting the combat effectiveness of the country's armed forces. The Directorate General of Quality Assurance is an inter-service organisation functioning under the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence. It is responsible for second party quality assurance of all defence stores and equipment, both imported as well as indigenous, for the Army, Navy and common user items for the Air Force. Department of Defence Production has many initiatives like Green Channel Status and self-certification, saying these would go a long way in realising the objective of Make in India. Its 36 laboratories were NABL-accredited and that 99 of its establishments had been granted ISO certification. The organisation has quality assured defence stores worth INR 28,878 crore during the financial year 2016-17. In addition, the organisation has been providing assistance to the User and Manufacturer in difficult and trying situations, warranting the technical expertise and hands-on experience. The 'First Day Cover' to commemorate the occasion and a portal for e-registration of vendors was also launched. The event ended with an award ceremony wherein officers and staff were awarded DGQA commendation cards and cash awards for their exemplary services.

This day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease. 28 September also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur's death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine. The safe and efficacious animal and human vaccines are among the important tools that exist to eliminate human deaths from rabies while awareness is the key driver for success of communities to engage in effective rabies prevention. World Rabies Day 2017 marks the announcement of the biggest global anti-rabies initiative. World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control will reveal an ambitious plan to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. World Rabies Day is the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. It is an opportunity to unite as a community and for individuals, NGOs and governments to connect and share their work. Created and coordinated annually by GARC, World Rabies Day, September 28th, focuses on rabies endemic countries, to increase community awareness of the disease and its prevention. World Rabies Day also raises the profile of national and local control programmes and acts as a springboard for year-round capacity building and awareness. At the global conference on rabies elimination in 2015, a common goal of zero human deaths from canine rabies by 2030 was agreed by the World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, UN Food and Agriculture Organization and GARC. In support of this goal, the 2017 World Rabies Day theme is Rabies: Zero by 30.

In 2017, the celebration of this World Day focuses on how sustainable tourism can contribute to development and it is held in Doha (Qatar). Sustainable tourism is defined as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. It should thus make optimal use of environmental resources, respect host communities and ensure viable, long-term economic operations so that benefits are equitably distributed among all stakeholders. It is a positive instrument towards the eradication of poverty, the protection of the environment and the improvement of quality of life, especially in developing countries. Well-designed and well-managed tourism can make a significant contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental -, has close linkages to other sectors and can create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. It is therefore essential for all actors, including companies operating in the sector, to be aware of opportunities and responsibilities alike, and to act accordingly so that their actions leave a positive mark on the society in which they operate and ensure the sustainability of the destination and their businesses. International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development Recognizing the importance of international tourism in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, hereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This year provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and move forward to ensure the positive impact of well-managed tourism on inclusive and equitable growth, sustainable development and peace. About World Tourism Day

• World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on 27 September. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
• The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to highlight the contribution the tourism industry can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, invites all interested parties to take part on 27 September each year in the special celebrations taking place in their respective country or holiday destination.
• World Tourism Day is celebrated with appropriate events on themes selected by the UNWTO General Assembly, on the recommendation of the UNWTO Executive Council.
• The UNWTO Secretary-General issues a message each year to mark the occasion and chairs the official celebrations.
• It was at its third session (Torremolinos, Spain, September 1979), that the UNWTO General Assembly decided to institute World Tourism Day, commencing in the year 1980.
• This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism: the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September 1970.
• The timing of World Tourism Day is particularly appropriate in that it comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes and those leaving in search of a better life. TOGETHER unites the organizations of the United Nations System, the 193 Member States of the United Nations, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens in a global partnership in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants. It was initiated during the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016. This year, the International Day of Peace focuses on engaging and mobilizing people throughout the world to show support for refugees and migrants. Its messages are shared with communities hosting refugees and migrants, as well as people concerned that refugees and migrants may bring physical and economic insecurity to their lives. The Day highlights solidarity with refugees and migrants and showcase the shared benefits of migration to economies and nations, while also acknowledging legitimate concerns of host communities. Ultimately, it is about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity. September 21 is International Day of Peace, which originated in 1989 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. A few decades later, the General Assembly declared to make the day a " period of non-violence and cease-fire." Peace Day is the opportunity for “strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.” To commemorate the day, a #PeaceDayChallenge was created by the U.S. Institute of Peace to bring people together not just to observe the day, but to take action. To raise awareness for all issues related to peace, world organizations and peaceful influencers are spreading the message peace for everyone. Even though September 21 is the day designated to celebrate peace, it does not have to stop there. The purpose of the movement is to embrace tranquility for all, not only just for one day, The movement aims to create a world where people everywhere can unite, despite their differences.

The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released a Commemorative Coin on Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi and inaugurated an exhibition entitled “Kurai Onrum Illai-MS: Life in Music” on the occasion of Birth Centenary Commemoration of Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi on Sept 19, 2017. Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma was the Guest of Honour. Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi was a legendary and iconic figure who mesmerized everyone from Mahatma Gandhi to common man. India is a land of rich cultural heritage with music in diverse genres representing the truly myriad mosaic of plurality. What defines India is this rich heritage of music and its unifying role in bringing people together cutting across religions, regions, castes and communities. The roots of Indian music can be traced to Vedic literature, Sama Veda in particular and as such every note and cadence associated with our ancient music systems have to be preserved and propagated. Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi’s music is immortal and everyone in this country was influenced and thrilled by her music. She was the first musician to be awarded Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour and first Indian musician to have performed at the United Nations General Assembly. Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi performed in 50th anniversary celebration of the United Nations and it was a very moment for all Indians. Mahatma Gandhi Ji asked her sing “Prabhu Tum Haro Jan Ki Pir” and she had sung it with full dedication Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi was not only a singer but was an encyclopaedia of singing. Exhibition on Subbulakhsmi: Know More

• The title of the exhibition draws from an iconic song composed by Rajaji and rendered by Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi, perhaps only by her.
• The song tells God that she has no complaints about life, about him.
• The exhibition looks at the life of Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi from her early years to the people who moulded her the composers and songs she immortalized, her contribution to the freedom movement, her magnanimous charity work, her role in films and the many awards and accolades world decorated her with.

The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Ozone Secretariat will launch a communication campaign ahead of World Ozone Day to be marked on 16 September 2017. The #OzoneHeroes campaign to be launched on 14 September will seek to celebrate the major accomplishments of the Montreal Protocol in protecting the ozone layer and the climate, to increase public recognition of the success and impact of the Protocol. This will also work to generate further support for the Protocol and its new mandate to phase down climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons under the Kigali Amendment, adopted in 2016. Campaign materials and further information on how everyone can participate in celebrating this important milestone will be available from 14 September at www.ozoneheroes.org. World Ozone Day day is held on September 16^th to mark the day back in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol was signed World Ozone Day has been celebrated since 1994 and was established by the United Nations General Assembly. The day is mainly intended to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it. World Ozone Day is also celebrated all around the world. This year’s theme is “Caring for all life under the sun.”

Hindi Diwas is an annual day that celebrates all over India to mark the importance of most widely spoken the Hindi language. In India, the Hindi language has the biggest history that belongs to the Indo-Aryan and the Indo-European language family. It is an annual day that celebrated on 14th September in India because on this day in 1949 a Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi Devanagari Script as the official language of the Republic of India. However, several stalwarts rallied and lobbied pan-India in favour of Hindi that includes notably Beohar Rajendra Simha along with Kaka Kalelkar, Maithili Sharan Gupt, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi and Seth Govind Das who all debated on the issue. Later on, this decision was ratified by the Constitution of India that came into effect on 26 January 1950 and under the Article 343 of the Indian Constitution wrote that Devanagari script was the official language. Hindi Diwas: Know More

• The celebration of Hindi Diwas mostly sponsored by the Central Government of India’s offices, schools, and other institutions.
• This day serves to promote and propagate the Hindi language.
• It is celebrated annually to pay tribute to mother language of India.
• It is celebrated by many government officials, private and government schools with a variety of activities and competitions.
• It is wholeheartedly event that gives an opportunity to Indians to promote the Hindi language.
• This day initiate enthusiasm among youths about the Hindi language.

Every 12 years, the small island town of Srirangam turns into an epicentre of spirituality with thousands of devotees thronging the place to celebrate the Cauvery Pushkaram. This is a 12-day-long festival that is believed to have been celebrated by locals for the past 1,000 years to pray for good rains and crops. This year the crowd is greater because of the Cauvery Maha Pushkaram - a moment that occurs once in 144 years due to rare planetary movement - on 12th Sept 2017 near the Amma Mandapam. With the festival having its roots in Andhra Pradesh, a major chunk of devotees are from the state. Among them are the followers of Sri Sri Thridandi Sriman Narayana Ramanuja Chinna jeeyar swamy, who have arrived in large numbers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The word Pushkaram refers to the 'worship of sacred river' and is also known as Pushkarulu in Telugu. While such festivals are celebrated at shrines along the banks of 12 major rivers in India, ancestor worship, devotional music and cultural programmes are integral part of these events. The Pushkaram is celebrated every 12 years along the banks of 12 major rivers by rotation, the last being celebrated along the banks of Godavari at Bhardrachalam in Telangana. Notwithstanding the rotation system, the festival is religiously observed every 12 years along the banks of Cauvery in Srirangam. This year it is declared as Cauvery Maha Pushkaram as it is the 12th instance on which Jupiter enters. Various ‘homams’ and ‘yajnas’ by Vedic are conducted during of the 12-day-long festival. Temple priests say it is believed that whoever takes a holy dip in the Cauvery during this time will be absolved of all sins. An added attraction of this year's festival is that it coincides with the 1,000th birth anniversary of the Vaishnava ascetic Acharya Sri Ramanuja.

The SARAGARHI Memorial and gurdwara premises in Ferozepur prepares for a state-level function to mark 120 years of the Saragarhi battle. Although tributes are paid to 21 martyrs of 36th Sikhs of British Indian Army every year on September 12, this year the state government has planned a state-level function for the first time. Out of the 21 martyrs of this historic battle, families of only 12 are living in Punjab at present and the rest have migrated out of country, Ferozepur district administration revealed. Apart from this, a 14-member British contingent has also arrived in Punjab to take part in the September 12 function in Ferozepur. The Battle of Saragarhi was fought between 21 Sikh soldiers of British Indian Army and 10,000 soldiers of Pashtun Orakzai on 12 September, 1897. Havildar Ishar Singh was the commander at the post when British Indian Contingent was attacked by 10,000 Afghans.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. Various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death. World Suicide Prevention Day gives organizations, government agencies and individuals a chance to promote awareness about suicide, mental illnesses associated with suicide, as well as suicide prevention. Organizations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organization (WHO) play a key role in promoting this event. Activities for World Suicide Prevention Day:

• The launch of new government initiatives to prevent suicide.
• Conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures.
• Media programs promoting suicide awareness and prevention.
• Memorial services or candlelight ceremonies to remember those who died from suicide.
• Organizing cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions.
• Launches of publications about suicide awareness and prevention.
• Training courses about suicide and depression awareness.

• World Suicide Prevention Day, which first started in 2003, is annually held on September 10 each year as an IASP initiative.
• WHO co-sponsors this event.

• Raise awareness that suicide is preventable.
• Improve education about suicide.
• Spread information about suicide awareness.
• Decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.
• WHO and IASP work with governments and other partners to ensure that suicide is no longer stigmatized, criminalized or penalized.
• WHO’s role is to build political action and leadership to develop national responses to prevent suicide, strengthen national planning capacity to establish the core building blocks of such a national response, and build the national capacities to implement these responses.
• In 2011 an estimated 40 countries held awareness events to mark the occasion.
• The United Nations issued 'National Policy for Suicide Prevention' in the 1990s which some countries use as a basis for their suicide policies.

The 51st International Literacy Day is being celebrated on 8th September, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and the theme announced by UNESCO is `Literacy in a digital world’. The programme would include; felicitation to the dignitaries, distribution of Saakshar Bharat Awards to the best performing States, Districts, Gram Panchayats and NGOs. International Literacy Day

• The International Literacy Day is celebrated on 8th September every year throughout the world.
• On this day, in the year 1965 the World Congress of Ministers of Education met in Tehran for the first time to discuss the programme of education at the international level.
• The UNESCO in its 14th Session in November, 1966, declared 8th September as the International Literacy Day.
• Since then, ILD is celebrated on 8th September every year by most of the member countries.
• The key aspect of the observance of ILD is to mobilize public opinion in favour of struggle against illiteracy.
• ILD is a forum to disseminate information on literacy and raise the public awareness and the significance of literacy for individual and national development.
• The National Literacy Mission Authority started celebrating International Literacy Day every year from 1988 onwards.
• The eradication of illiteracy has been one of the major national concerns of the Govt. of India since independence.
• The occasion of ILD is used for raising public awareness to eradicate illiteracy and create environment in favour of adult education programmes.
• From 1996 onwards some new elements were introduced to make the programme more attractive. In the year 1996 a ‘Mashal March’ was organized involving school students and literacy functionaries.

Meritorious teachers working in primary, middle and secondary schools will be conferred the National Award on the occasion of Teachers’ Day by the Vice President. As per NDTV report, in the programme, apart from the teachers from government schools, teachers from schools affiliated with CBSE, CISCE, Sainik School, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Central Tibetan School Administration (CTSA) and schools run by the Atomic Energy Education Society are also conferred with the award. There is a set quota of awards for each state. About the award

• The awards were instituted in 1958 and there are 374 awards in total out of which 20 awards are reserved for Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic teachers
• The award carries a medal, certificate, and award money of Rs 50,000
• Since 2001, ‘Special Awards’ have been instituted for special educators who promote inclusive education in schools.
• The awards also include a total of 43 ‘Special Education’ awards which are given to teachers of the following category:
• Teachers with disabilities working in mainstream schools
• Special teachers or trained teachers having done outstanding work in the field of inclusive education

The National Nutrition Week will be observed throughout the country from 1st to 7th September.

The theme of the National Nutrition Week for 2017 is “Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health”.

The basic objective of this annual event is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth and ultimately National development.

One day workshops will be held to sensitize and for capacity building of State/Districts Level officers on importance of nutrition for better health.

There will be lecture cum demonstration on low cost nutritious recipes for grassroots level functionaries like school teachers, anganwadi workers and helpers, village women and mahila samitis.

Mini exhibition on nutrition displaying low cost nutritious diets for different age groups will also be organized at grassroots level.

Awareness generation on weight management and its importance through Body Mass Index will be held for adolescent boys and girls.

Besides there will be large number of activities like quiz competition on nutrition and competition on preparation of nutritious recipes.

Awareness programmes will be held at village level through puppet shows, skits, dance & drama, films, slide shows, AV Spots, nutrition rallies etc.

Need for Nutrition Week

• As, improving the nutritional status of the population is imperative for National Development.
• Under nutrition in young children continues to be a major public health problem in India.
• The NFHS4 has not shown an encouraging improvement in the nutritional status, especially among women and children.
• As per NFHS-4 the level of underweight has decreased by 6.8% and is stunting by 9.6%.
• Level of anaemia has decreased by 11% as compared to NNHS-3 figures.
• Malnutrition is not to be viewed merely as an offshoot of poverty having adverse effects on health and development of individuals but as a national problem that results in loss of productivity and economic backwardness.