Current Affairs May 2017 - Important Days

News 1 - Armoured Corps celebrated ‘79^th Armour Day’

The Armoured Corps celebrated its ‘79^th ARMOUR DAY’ on 1^st May. The event commemorates the mechanization of the erstwhile Indian Cavalry on 01 May 1938, when the SCINDE HORSE became the first Indian Cavalry Regiment to stable its horses and convert to the Vickers Light Tank and Chevrolet Armoured Cars.

The elite ‘Tank’ Corps celebrated the day with serving & veterans officers’ fraternity of the Corps and other arms/services. The elegant function truly epitomized traditional elan, camaraderie and all – round excellence that characterizes the Armoured Corps.

News 2 - International Labour Day celebrated worldwide

The International Labour Day, also known as May Day, was celebrated on 1^st May 2017. Around 80 countries across the world have declared it as national holiday.

The day is also known as International Workers' Day. The day is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement.

In India, the day is celebrated as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas. The day is a public holiday in many countries worldwide.

3 - 3^rd May observed as World Press Freedom Day

The World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3^rd May across the world. The day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom. It also reminds that many journalists brave death or face jail to bring daily news to the public.

UNESCO and the Government of Indonesia co-hosted the World Press Freedom Day's main event and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony in 2017 which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 1-4 May 2017. 2017 theme was ‘Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies’.

News 4 - BRO celebrated 57^th Raising Day

Border Roads celebrated its 57 years of glorious service to the nation on 07 May 2017. On this occasion, Director General Border Roads Lt Gen SK Shrivastava has conveyed his felicitations to all veterans and personnel of BRO, and has called upon all ranks of the organisation to rededicate themselves to the motto “ShramenaSarvamSadhyam” and strive for further excellence.

BRO has been a potent ambassador of the nation’s message of peace and prosperity through developmental works in several friendly foreign countries. The works executed by BRO, have contributed in the socio-economic development of the country.

5 - 8^th May observed as World Red Cross Day

In order to celebrate the birthday anniversary of founder of the Red Cross, World Red Cross day is observed on 8^th of May every year.

Henry Dunant was the founder of the Red Cross as well as the founder of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), born in the Geneva in the year 1828. World Red Cross Day 2017 was celebrated on theme “Less Known Red Cross Stories”.

World Red Cross Day is a celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

6 - 10^th May observed as World Migratory Day

The World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated across the world on 10^th May 2017. This year's theme was ‘Their Future Is Our Future’ which focused on the topic of "Sustainable Development for Wildlife and People".

It is a 2-day event annually held on the second weekend of May to highlight the need to protect migratory birds and their habitats. The day is celebrated by organizing public events such as bird festivals, education programs and bird-watching excursions.

The 2017 campaign focused at raising awareness on the need for a sustainable management of our natural resources, such as bird’s conservation and their importance for the future of humankind.

7 - 11^th May observed as National Technology Day

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the National Technology Day Celebrations in New Delhi. Technology Day is celebrated to encourage the upcoming innovators and entrepreneurs, whose efforts are helping in percolating the benefits of science and technology to the society at large and the common man in particular.

11^th of May is commemorated as the National Technology Day to mark India's scientific prowess and technological advancements. It was the same date in 1998 when India successfully conducted first among the five nuclear tests in Pokhran under the leadership of Vajpayee.

8 - 15^th May was observed as International Day of Families

The International Day of Families is observed annually on 15^th May to highlights role of families and family-oriented policies, all caregivers in families, be it parents, grandparents or siblings and the importance of parental upbringing for the welfare of children. 2017 theme was about role of families and family-oriented policies.

Since 1995, International Day of Families is celebrated. It is also considered as one of Sustainable Development Goals. An event was conducted at New York and families were welcomed to promote a better understanding of the functions, strengths and needs of families.

News 9 - International Day to save Biological Diversity observed on 22^nd May

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on 22^nd May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

The theme for 2017 for World Biodiversity Day was “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”. The UN also marked attention to the role of biodiversity in 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity focusses on mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across sectors. 22^nd May marks the date of Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity at UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi on 22 May 1992.