Current Affairs April 2020 - Important Days

1 - International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people everywhere.

The day was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in transgender issues.

2 - Utkal Divas or Odisha Day celebrated on 1 April

Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) is celebrated every year on 1^st April all over Odisha. Odisha Day is celebrated in the memory of the formation of the state as a separate province. Odisha was born as a separate state on April 1, 1936, on a linguistic basis. The state was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province.

Thousands of shops and jhankis are organized to celebrate festival every year. Various competitions are arranged by popular local politicians like fireworks competition.

3 - World Autism Awareness Day observed globally on 2 April

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

The theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2020 was ‘The Transition to Adulthood’ to draw attention towards the adulthood of people with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder which affects communication and socialization.

4 - International Mine Awareness Day observed globally

The United Nations' International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4. Mine Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines. “Mine action” refers to a range of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war and to mark and fence off dangerous areas.

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war. UN Secretary-General designated the renowned actor Daniel Craig as the first UN Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards.

5 - National Maritime Day observed on 5^th April

April 5 marks the National Maritime Day of India. On this day in year 1919, navigation history was created when SS Loyalty, the first ship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company, journeyed to the United Kingdom. The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on 5 April 1964.

Year 2020 marks the 57^th edition of the National Maritime Day. The theme for the 57^th National Maritime Day is "Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet."

6 - April 5 declared as International Day of Conscience

The United Nations declared 5^th April as the International Day of Conscience with the aim to create peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms to race, sex, language or religion.

On 25 July 2019, UNGA adopted a draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, titled "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience". UNGA then declared 5 April as the International Day of Conscience. April 5, 2020 marked the first International Day of Conscience.

7 - International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

In order to support United Nations’ objectives for development and peace and to achieve objective of 2030 sustainable development sports goal, 6 April was announced in 2013 to observe as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly.

The day promotes healthy lifestyles and emphasizes the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) focus on giving as many people as possible access to sport. The campaign this year is let’s #BeActive.

8 - World Health Day

The World Health Day (WHD) is observed annually on 7^th April on the founding day of the World Health Organization. The tagline for World Health Day 2020 is: Support nurses and midwives. WHO chose the year 2020 as the "Year of the Nurse and Midwife" because of the contribution which nurses and midwives are making in making the world a healthier place.

World Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the work of nursing and midwifery around the world. The global nursing workforce is around 28 million, of which more than 19 million are professional nurses.

9 - CRPF Valour Day observed on April 9

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 55^th CRPF Valour Day (Shaurya Diwas) on 9 April 2020. On April 9, 1965 a small contingent of the 2^nd battalion of the CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani brigade. The soldiers, despite being outnumbered, fought off an attack by a Pakistani force on April 9, 1965. The valiant CRPF personnel killed 34 and captured four Pakistani soldiers. Six CRPF soldiers died in the attack.

The Central Reserve Police Force is India's largest Central Armed Police Force. Its primary role lies in police operations to maintain law and order.

10 - World Homoeopathy Day observed globally on 10 April

World Homoeopathy Day is observed globally on 10 April every year. It marks the birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Homoeopathy is a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. The day aims at spreading awareness about homoeopathy as a form of medicine and work towards improving its success rate.

The theme of World Homoeopathy Day 2020 was “Linking research with education and clinical practice: Advancing scientific collaborations”. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was known for finding the way to heal through the use of homeopathy.

11 - National Safe Motherhood Day observed globally on 11 April

The government of India declared in 2003 the national safe motherhood day on April 11, the anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s birth. With this, India became first country to do so. White Ribbon Alliance decides theme every year. WRAI aims to reduce maternal and newborn death globally.

Safe Motherhood Day aims at bringing the importance that women must have the availability and adequate access to care during pregnancy childbirth and postnatal services. India is one of the most high-risk places in the world to give birth, accounting for 15% of total maternal deaths worldwide.

12 - International Day of Human Space Flight observed on April 12

The United Nations (UN) celebrates the International Day of Human Space Flight on April 12 each year to mark of the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin. On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, opening a new chapter of human endeavour in outer space.

The day celebrates the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals.

13 - World Chagas Disease Day observed globally on 14 April

For the first time, the global community announced to celebrate 14 April as the first World Chagas Disease Day. The day is aimed to raise the visibility and public awareness of people with Chagas Disease and its prevention. The proposal to designate 14 April as World Chagas Disease Day was initiated by the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease is spread through triatomine bug and causes swelling, fever and congestive heart failure. It is common in places like South America, Central America and Mexico.

14 - World Art day celebrated on 15 April

World Art Day, an international event of fine arts, is celebrated on 15 April. The day was declared by the International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP), a partner of UNESCO, to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide. The first World Art Day was held on April 15^th, 2012, a date chosen in honor of Leonardo da Vinci's birthday.

World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. UNESCO encourages everyone to join in through various activities such as debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations or exhibitions.

15 - World Hemophilia Day observed globally on 17 April

World Hemophilia Day is an international awareness day for hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. It is held annually on April 17, date of the birthday of Frank Schnabel, founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia. The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program provides a range of integrated care development training programs to ensure the local infrastructure and medical expertise are available to optimize and appropriately use donated products.

2020 is the 30^th edition of World Haemophilia Day. The theme of World Haemophilia Day 2020 was “Get + Involved”.

16 - World Heritage Day 2020 observed globally on 18 April

World Heritage Day is also known as 'The International Day for Monuments and Sites.' Every year on 18 April, ICOMOS celebrates the “International Day for Monuments and Sites”, whose establishment was approved by the 22^nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. The theme of World Heritage Day 2020 was “Shared Culture, Shared Heritage and Shared Responsibility”.

The 2020 International Day for Monuments and Sites invited participants to explore the idea of sharing—and its counterpoints, contestation and resistance—in relation to cultures, heritage and responsibility.

17 - World Liver Day observed globally on 19 April

World Liver Day is observed on every 19 April, to spread awareness about liver related disease such as Hepatitis A, B or C, Alcoholic fatty liver, Cirrhosis and fatty liver. The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, with the exception of the brain.

Liver is responsible for the synthesis of various proteins, coagulation factors, cholesterol and for detoxifications of drugs, alcohol and control of infections. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), liver diseases are 10^th most common cause of death in India.

18 - Civil Services Day celebrated by India on 21^st April

Every year, on the 21^st of April, the "Civil Service Day" is observed by all Civil Services to re-dedicate and re-commit themselves to the cause of the people. It provides a unique opportunity for introspection as also chalking out future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the changing times.

On this occasion, all officers of Central and State Governments are honoured for excellence in public administration with The 'PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration'. The awards recognise the exemplary initiatives impacting the delivery of public services.

19 - World Creativity and Innovation Day observed on 21 April

World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed globally on 21 April every year. United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise the awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.

The main objective of the day is to encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions, and do creative thinking. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and community.

20 - World Book Day 2020

The World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on April 23^rd. UNESCO undertakes the responsibility of the event and aims to inculcate reading habits among people and highlight the various issues, specially, the copyright issue surrounding authors, publishers and other related parties. The World Book Capital for 2020 is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The slogan for 2020 is “KL Baca – caring through reading”. Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched a campaign “#MyBookMyFriend” on the occasion of World Book Day.

21 - English Language Day

The English Language Day is observed annually on 23 April. The day coincides with both birthday and death day of William Shakespeare and World Book Day. The English language is one of the most popular languages used across the world. The day prospects the development, history, culture and achievements associated with the language.

The purpose of the UN's language days is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization.

22 - National Panchayati Raj Day

The National Panchayati Raj Diwas was observed on 24^th April. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched e-GramSwaraj Portal and mobile application. The Prime Minister also launched the Swamitva Scheme.

Then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh declared the first National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April 2010. The Constitution (73^rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993 has institutionalized Panchayati Raj through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.

23 - The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed annually on 24^th April. It was established on 12 December, 2018 through resolution A/RES/73/127 and was first observed on April 24, 2019.

The day aims to preserve values of international cooperation and multilateralism, based on which the UN Charter and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals are framed. Also, the day is marked to promote and support three pillars of the United Nations - peace and security, human rights and development.

24 - World Malaria Day (WMD)

The World Malaria Day (WMD) is an international observance observed every year on 25^th April. The day gives people the chance to promote or learn about the efforts made to prevent and reduce Malaria around the world. The theme for 2020 is “Zero malaria starts with me”.

WMD is one of eight official global public health campaigns currently marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). World Malaria Day was established in May 2007 by the 60^th session of the World Health Assembly, WHO's decision-making body.

25 - International Delegate’s Day 2020

The United Nations (UN) organized the first official International Delegate’s Day on April 25, 2020. The day is celebrated in order to raise awareness of the role of representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations.

Delegates embody the multilateralism, which the UN stands for. The 2020 International Delegate’s Day also marks the milestone seventy-fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Conference, an event that laid the foundations of the United Nations.

26 - World Immunization Week

The World Immunization Week 2020 is being held between 24^th to 30^th April across the globe. The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines – and the people who develop, deliver and receive them – are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.

World Immunization Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. The main goal of the campaign is to urge greater engagement around immunization globally.

27 - World Intellectual Property Day

The World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26. The day endorses the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The theme for 2020 is "Innovate for a Green Future".

The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000. World Intellectual Property Day is sometimes referred as World IP Day. It aims to increase people’s awareness and understanding of intellectual property (IP).

28 - International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

The United Nations (UN) has proclaimed April 26 International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. The day was first observed in 2016, on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the 1986 nuclear disaster. The day remembers the explosion at the No.4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

An explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 spread a radioactive cloud over large parts of the Soviet Union. Nearly 8.4 million people in Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation were exposed to the radiation.

29 - World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on 28^th April to improve the safety and health of young workers. The theme for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 is "Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives". Various campaigns were organized to accelerate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal target of safe and secure working environments for all workers by 2030.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work day promotes safe, healthy and decent work. It has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.

30 - International Dance Day

The International Dance Day is observed globally on 29 April every year. It was created in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute, partner for the performing arts of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

This day is celebrated to give value to this art. International Dance Day is a wake-up-call for governments, politicians, and institutions, and society to realize its potential for economic growth. The day is celebrated on the occasion of birth anniversary of father of modern ballet, Jean-Georges Noverre.