‘International Biodiversity Day’ observed across the world on May 22.

Objective:

• To step-up understanding and awareness about biodiversity issues.
• To make people aware about the importance of biodiversity on the one hand and its unprecedented loss on the other.
• The day is an opportunity to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Theme for 2012: “Marine Biodiversity”

Marine Biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Designation of IDB 2012 on the theme of marine ecosystems provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and everyone interested in marine life, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.

Biodiversity:

It refers to the variety of flora and fauna that make up the ecosystem and the preservation of the ecosystem is vital to natural balance and human existence.

Background:

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

May 21, the death anniversary of ex-PM of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi is also observed as Anti Terrorism Day all over the country. It was on May 21, 1991 that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi fell to the designs of terrorists.
Objective:

• Observe Death anniversary of ex-PM of India Mr. Rajiv Gandhi
• The Day is observed to bring forth awareness in the nation among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the nation as a whole.

On this day an Anti-terrorism pledge is taken in all government offices, PSUs and other public institutions.

A Special Session of the Lok Sabha held on May 13, 2012 to mark its 60th anniversary. Both houses of the Parliament held day-long special sittings with party leaders recalling India's freedom struggle and the nation becoming the largest democracy in the world. On May 13, 1952 was the milestone in India's journey of democracy.

‘International Nurses Day’ celebrated around the world on May 12, 2012.

• The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the Pioneer of modern nursing.
• ‘Florence Nightingale’ was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War where she tended to wounded soldiers.
• She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night.

The Bodo tribes (of Assam) celebrated their spring festival ‘Baisagu’ with traditional merriment and ebullience. Appealing cultural programmes and tribal dances marked the occasion in four Bodo-dominated districts of Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang.

Baisagu for Bodo tribes:

“Rongali Bihu” is celebrated by most of the races that inhabit in Assam in their own colours and names. It is the most popular Bihu that celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of spring. Parallels of Bihu among the other races and tribes of Assam are Baisagu for Bodo Kacharis, Baikhu for Rabhas, Ali- Ai -Ligang for Misings, Bohhaggio Bishu for Deoris.