Current Affairs Nov 2016 - Important Days

News 1 - 1^st November to be observed as ‘No Tobacco Day’ for Punjab

In an effort to reduce usage of tobacco in the state, Punjab announced November 1^st to be observed as ‘No Tobacco Day’. Various guidelines have been issued by state’s health minister Surjit Kumar Jyani. Sale of loose cigarettes, tobacco and e-cigarettes are banned in Punjab.

The main objective behind the said initiative taken by government is to make public aware of non-communicable diseases and ban use of tobacco, nicotine, scented, processed or flavoured chewable tobacco products.

News 2 - 2^nd November to be observed as International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists worldwide

A resolution was adopted by United Nations General Assembly at its 68^th session in 2013, to observe 2^nd November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ worldwide.

The date was decided as 2^nd November, because of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.

It aims to ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work without any fear and with full freedom.

News 3 - World Tsunami Awareness Day observed worldwide

The very first ‘World Tsunami Awareness’ day was observed worldwide on 5^th November 2016 with theme as ‘Effective Education and Evacuation Drills’.

The observance of the day helps to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami and shall stress on the importance of early warning systems in order to mitigate damage from the often devastating natural hazard.

Awareness raising activities were organized including thematic events, exhibitions, mock drills etc. India, along with 23 other Indian Ocean countries, participated in a tsunami mock drill on September 7-8, 2016.

News 4 - 5^th Annual Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2016 observed

The fifth annual global celebration of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week from 31 October to 5 November 2016 was observed across the world, organized under the theme ‘Media and Information Literacy: New Paradigms for Intercultural Dialogue’.

The Global MIL Week 2016 involved stakeholders globally to share the latest research, projects, new ideas and information at the Sixth Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) Conference and the First General Assembly of the Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL), held from November 2-5, 2016 in São Paulo, Brazil.

News 5 - 6^th November observed worldwide as International Day for Preventing Exploitation of Environment in War and Armed Conflict

In order to highlight impact of war on damaging natural environments and restrict environmental destruction caused by armed conflict, ‘International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict’ is observed across the globe every year on 6 November.

It could be considered as part of full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN General Assembly announced 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict through resolution A/RES/56/4.

News 6 - Public Service Broadcasting Day observed on 12 Nov

All India Radio celebrated 12^th November as the Public Service Broadcasting Day. It is on this date in 1947 that Mahatma Gandhi had visited the studio of All India Radio, Delhi, for the first and the last time, where he addressed the displaced people who had temporarily settled at Kurukshetra in Haryana after partition.

A function has been organized in the premises of All India Radio, Delhi to mark the day.

News 7 - 2016 World Science Day for Peace and Development observed globally

In order to make people aware with the importance of science, peace and development, 10 November is observed as World Science Day for Peace and Development every year across the world.

The theme for 2016 was ‘Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums’, to show importance of science centres and museums in sustainable development.

The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001 to boost public awareness, foster cooperation between scientists and promote international bonding for shared science between countries.

News 8 - 16^th November observed as National Press Day across India

In order to observe 16^th November as National Press Day, a function was organized by the Press Council of India, which was attended by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister emphasized on the importance of freedom of press.

Eminent journalists and photo-journalists, Shri Surendra Nihal Singh, Smt. Mrinal Pande, Shri Raghu Rai, Shri Renjith John, Shri Arvind Kumar Singh, Shri Xavier Selva Kumar were awarded for excellence in Journalism.

News 9 - International Day for Tolerance 2016 observed across the world

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Tolerance is annually observed on November 16. The day is observed to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. The day also educates people about the need for tolerance in society and to help them understand the negative effects of intolerance.

The year 1995 was chosen by the UNESCO to mark the year for tolerance as well as the 125^th birthday anniversary of the Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.

News 10 - World Pneumonia Day observed

World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on 12^th November to raise awareness of pneumonia, promote prevention and treatment, and generate action to fight the illness. 2016 Theme: “Keep the Promise, Stop Pneumonia Now”.

World Pneumonia Day supports all efforts made to protect and treat people against pneumonia, the single largest cause of child deaths worldwide.

The day provides an annual forum for the world to stand together and demand action in the fight against pneumonia.

News 11 - World Diabetes Day 2016 observed across the world

The World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14 each year. The day aims to increase an awareness of the effects of diabetes and the complications caused by the disease. The day is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 is Eyes on Diabetes. The year’s activities and materials will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.

News 12 - Mission Madhumeha launched in field of Ayurveda for prevention & control of diabetes

The Mission Madhumeha launched on the occasion of first National Ayurveda Day, released a protocol on ‘Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda’. The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy was developed for the self-assessment of the people with regards to possibilities of diabetes.

CSIR initiated detailed comprehensive human clinical trial at Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medicines, Departments of Ayurveda, Varanasi (UP). The Research Council’s of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy are engaged to develop scientifically validated AYUSH medicines for different ailments.

News 13 - 20^th November observed as Universal Children’s Day worldwide

UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and since then, November 20^th is celebrated annually as United Nations Universal Children’s Day to unite nations and create awareness for children welfare and educate world about children’s rights.

20^th November 2016 was observed as Universal Children’s Day across the globe. It is also considered as anniversary of UN General assembly as it adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

News 14 - World Toilet Day observed on 19^th November

The World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19^th November. It is a campaign to motivate and mobilize millions around the world on issues of sanitation. It was originally established by the World Toilet Organization in 2001.

The theme of World Toilet Day 2016 is ‘toilets and jobs’, focusing on how sanitation, or the lack of it, can impact people’s livelihoods. The Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone everywhere has access to toilets by 2030.

News 15 - World Philosophy Day observed on 17^th November

World Philosophy Day is observed every year on the third Thursday of November to honor philosophical reflections around the world. It was first celebrated on 21 November 2002.

The day underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual.

It is a day for people to share thoughts, openly explore and discuss new ideas and inspire public debate or discussion on society’s challenges.

News 16 - World Television Day on 21^st November

The United Nations’ (UN) World Television Day is annually observed on 21^st November to recognize that television plays a major role in presenting different issue that affect people. The day commemorates the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996.

It is also meant to honor the role Television plays as the pillar of freedom of expression and as a promoter of cultural diversity.

News 17 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2016 observed

The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25 each year to raise public awareness of violence against women. The theme for this year is “Orange the World - raise funds to end violence against women”.

The orange color in the theme symbolizes a better future to women and girls all over the globe. This day is commemorated in the memory of the Mirabal sisters who were three political activists from the Dominican Republic.

News 18 - Constitution day observed on November 26

The Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on 26 November every year. The day commemorates the adoption of Constitution of India. On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.

The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015 by a gazette notification.

News 19 - National Milk Day observed

The National Milk Day was observed across India on 26 November 2016 to mark 95^th birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution. To observe the day, the dairy cooperatives across India conducted a mega activation in all markets of the country.

Dr Verghese Kurien, also known as the Milkman of India and the architect of "billionlitre idea", Operation Flood, made India the world's largest milk producer. In 1963, he received Ramon Magsaysay Award.