General Awareness

DAYS AND EVENTS - October 2019

Oct 2019

May 05, 2023

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is one of the most significant festivals in Buddhism. It commemorates the birth anniversary of the religion's founder, Gautama Buddha. This auspicious occasion falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (May) according to the Hindu calendar and this year (2023) the festival was celebrated on May 5.
Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm around the world. People honour the teachings and life of Gautama Buddha and perform acts of charity on this day.
It is believed that a full moon day is auspicious for Buddhists because three major events in the life of the Gautam Buddha took place on this day. The full moon in May holds the most importance as Prince Siddhartha was born at Lumbini Grove. Secondly, after six years of hardship, Prince Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment under the shade of the Bodhi tree and became Gautama Buddha at Bodh Gaya. Thirdly, after 45 years of teaching the Truth, when he was eighty, at Kusinara, he passed away to Nibbana (Nirvana) - release from the cycle of rebirth.

May 04, 2023

International Firefighters' Day

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is observed on May 4 every year to honour the firefighters who put their lives at risk when they go out on a call. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to thank firefighters for the services they all provide.
In Ancient Egypt, the first organised professional firefighter was to combat structural fires, but at at that time, firefighters worked for private companies and provided the services only to those who could afford them. Later, in Ancient Rome, Caesar Augustus revolutionised fire fighting by calling for the creation of fireguards, which were known as Vigiles. They were trained, paid, and equipped by the state.
In 1999, Firefighters' Day was created when five firefighters died tragically during a wildfire at Linton in Victoria, Australia.
It is celebrated on May 4 because it is also Saint Florian's Day. Saint Florian, who was said to be one of the first commanding firefighters of an actual Roman battalion and saved many lives, is the patron saint of firefighters.

Coal Miners Day

Coal Miners Day is observed every year on May 4 to recognise and honour the tireless efforts and significant contribution of coal miners in extracting coal, which is one of the most important fossil fuels used for various purposes, including power generation and industrial production. Demand for coal is also increasing for its use in cement and steel manufacturing.
Although the first coal mine was opened in Scotland in 1575, India's first coal mine was established much later in 1774. The Raniganj Coalfield, situated on the banks of the Damodar River, was the site of this mine, which was operated by John Summer and Suetonius Grant Heatly of the East India Company. After India gained independence, the country's demand for coal increased, and the new government established a 5-year development plan to meet the growing demand for energy.

May 03, 2023

World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3 to raise awareness about the importance of a free and independent press. This day highlights the need for free and independent journalism and promotes the principles of freedom of expression.
The idea of World Press Freedom Day was first proposed in 1991 by the UNESCO General Conference, which recognised the need to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and to promote its defence. In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.
Since then, the day has been celebrated every year to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of their obligation to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. It is also a day to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to support the safety and independence of journalists who work to bring information to the public.
The theme for 2023 World Press Freedom Day, 'Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights,' highlights the crucial role of freedom of expression in ensuring all other human rights are enjoyed and protected.
World Press Freedom Day 2023 marked its 30th anniversary since the United Nations General Assembly's decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom.

May 02, 2023

World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May)

World Asthma Day is an annual event celebrated globally on the first Tuesday of May. Its purpose is to bring attention to asthma and educate people about this chronic health condition and its treatment.
World Asthma Day is an annual event that has been established by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) since 1993. Its purpose is to increase global asthma awareness and improve patient care worldwide.
The theme for World Asthma Day 2023 was "Asthma Care for All," building on the theme of the previous year, "Closing Gaps in Asthma Care," and the 2019 theme, "STOP for Asthma."

World Tuna Day

On May 2, the world's coastal regions celebrate World Tuna Day every year. To conserve tuna schools around the world and to contribute to the development of a sustainable fishing model, fishing communities, scientists, and environmentalists collaborated to achieve this date.
The history of World Tuna Day can be traced to 2016, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the day. The purpose of this was to throw light on the issue of tuna overfishing. Here are more details about the history of World Tuna Day.
This day was celebrated first on May 2, 2017.

May 01, 2023

International Labour Day

International Labour Day is observed globally on May 1 every year. The day spreads awareness about workers' rights and also recognises their accomplishments. Labour Day or May Day has different origin stories in different countries. But the common thing is that the day focuses on the achievements and contributions of workers. It spread awareness about the rights and opportunities of every Labour which they should get for their welfare and betterment.
In May 1886, 400,000 workers in many parts of the USA went on strike, demanding an eight-hour working day. The strike started peacefully, but on the third day of protests in Chicago there was some violence. The police shot at unarmed workers, killing several of them. The next day there were more protests and someone threw a bomb. Seven police officers and four workers were killed by the bomb or police shooting just after the bomb. The person who threw the bomb was never identified, but eight workers were arrested. Seven of them were sentenced to death, and one of them was sent to prison for 15 years.
This event, known as The Haymarket Affair, was very important in bringing working people together in the USA. The Haymarket Affair became an international symbol of the struggle for workers' rights, and May 1 was chosen to be International Workers' Day. On this day, socialist parties and trade unions called for workers to demonstrate for the eight-hour day and in favour of peaceful protest. The eight-hour working day became law for public workers in 1892 in the USA. Since then, workers' movements all over the world have continued to fight for and win this right.

Maharashtra Day

Every year on May 1, Maharashtra Day is observed. This day commemorates the beginning of Maharashtra's illustrious heritage.
On this day, in 1960, two new states were formed: Maharashtra and Gujarat. Both states had a disagreement about the city of Bombay. The Marathi people believed that Bombay should join them because the majority of the people there spoke Marathi.
A brand-new state, Bombay, was established on November 1, 1956, with the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which included the Marathi-speaking districts.
The bilingual state of Bombay was separated into two independent states, Maharashtra for Marathi-speaking people and Gujarat for Gujarati-speaking people, by the Bombay Reorganisation Act of 1960, with Gujarat becoming the 15th state of the Indian Union.

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