Current Affairs January 2020 - Important Days

1 - World Braille Day

The World Braille Day is observed annually on January 4 to honor the birth anniversary of Louis Braille. He is credited with inventing the Braille language which helps blind people to read as well as write.

NGOs and various organizations work together on this day to raise awareness about the indifference towards blind people and to help them be equal with the rest of the people.

2 - World Hindi Day observed worldwide

World Hindi Day is commemorated every year with the objective to promote use of Hindi language abroad. Special functions are being organized to mark the occasion. The first world Hindi Conference was organized in Nagpur to promote the language worldwide. Since then 10^th January is being observed as World Hindi Day.

World Hindi Day is to promote the language at the global stage. Since 1975, the World Hindi Conference has been organised in different countries like India, Mauritius, United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, United States.

3 - 16^th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas observed

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated on 9 January to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community in the development of India. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915.

On the occasion of 16^th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar interacted with Indian Diaspora across the globe through a digital video conference. Established in 2003 the celebratory event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs every year on this day.

4 - 12^th January celebrated as National Youth Day

January 12 of every year is celebrated as National Youth Day in schools and colleges across India. The day marks the birth of Swami Vivekananda. The students and youth celebrated it with processions, speeches, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasanas, presentations, competitions in essay-writing, recitations and sports. It was celebrated with the theme 'Channelizing Youth Power for Nation Building'.

In 1984, the Government of India decided to celebrate January 12 the birthday of great Swami Vivekananda as the National Youth Day every year.

5 - 14^th January celebrated as Armed Forces Veterans Day

14^th January 2020 was celebrated as 4^th Armed Forces Veterans Day. Armed Forces Veterans day was also celebrated at seven other Command Heaquarters of Army, Navy and IAF.

Since 2017, Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed each year on 14^th January as a mark of respect and recognition of the services rendered by Marshal KM Cariappa OBE - the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces who retired on 14 Jan 53. Commemoration of Armed Forces Veterans Day acknowledges and honours the selfless devotion and sacrifice of our veterans in the service of the nation.

6 - 15 January celebrated as Indian Army Day

January 15 of every year is celebrated as the ‘Indian Army Day.’ It was the date (15 January 1949) on which Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa (then a Lieutenant General) took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India.

In 1942, K M Cariappa became the first Indian Army Officer to command a unit. In addition to this, Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

7 - IMD celebrated its 145^th foundation Day on 15 January

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated its 145^th Foundation Day on 15^th January. With a humble beginning in 1875, the IMD has marched forward with various milestones and paradigms to serve the society.

WMO recognized 5 observatories of IMD - Chennai (Nungambakkam), Mumbai (Colaba), Panjim, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram as a long-term observing station for more than 100 years. IMD launched its new website: www.mausam.imd.gov.in for general public and Mobile App ‘MEGHDOOT’ for Agromet Advisory Services.

8 - National Girl Child Day celebrated on January 24

The National Girl Child Day is celebrated in India anually on January 24. The day aims to provide maximum support and facilities to the girls of the country in every respect as well as to raise awareness about discrimination against girls.

Women and Child Development Department also celebrated National Girl Child Week from January 24 to 30. During the week, many important programmes like "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" signature campaign, plantation and name plate drive in the names of daughters, awareness campaign on women's rights and mass oaths for girl child protection were administered.

9 - National Immunization Day

The National Immunization Day (NID) was observed all over India as a part of Pulse Polio Programme, 2020 on January 19. The National Immunization Day are one of the four strategies that are recommended by the WHO to eradicate polio completely.

According to WHO, the NID has to be conducted twice a year at a gap of 2 to 4 weeks. GoI organizes Pulse Polio immunization campaigns on the standards set by World Health Organization (WHO). The next round of National Immunization Day is to be held in March 10.

10 - International Day of Education

The world marked the first-ever International Day of Education on 24^th January 2020. It was celebrated globally as International Day of Education with the theme ‘Learning for people, planet, prosperity and peace’. On the Day, UNESCO released a new right to education handbook on education inequalities showing which population groups are lagging behind in achieving SDG 4.

A new initiative called “Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning” was launched in New York, formed by representatives of Member States to the UN, to advocate for sustained commitment to education in the 2030 Agenda.

11 - 71^st Republic Day

India celebrated its 71^st Republic Day on January 26, 2020. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the Chief Guest. This year, for the first time, the wreath laying ceremony was held at the newly built National War Memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Assam's tableau which portrayed the unique craftsmanship and culture of the state has been chosen as the best tableau, followed by Odisha and Uttar Pradesh who were tied for the second position. The tableaux of National Disaster Relief Force and Jal Shakti Mission were chosen as the best among the Ministries and Departments.

12 - National Voters’ Day celebrated

The 10^th National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on 25^th January. The theme this year is ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy'. It sets the tone for year-long activities focusing on voter education and renewal of citizens’ faith in the electoral process.

The Day is celebrated since 2011 to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on 25^th January 1950. It was the 61^st Foundation Day of the Election Commission.