Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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World Standards Day is celebrated on October 14 to honor experts who create voluntary standards for safety and consumer satisfaction. It originated in 1946, leading to the creation of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in 1947. The first official World Standards Day was held in 1970. National standards bodies and organisations like ISO, ITU, ASME, and IESBA mark the day with events like seminars and exhibitions. The day highlights the role of standardisation in healthcare, policymaking, privacy, and security. This year’s theme is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Changing Climate.”

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The First ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue was held in Singapore, co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Both sides discussed the cyber threat landscape, national cyber policies, threat assessments, and recent ICT developments at the UN. The Dialogue focused on cooperation in capacity building and training. It aimed to identify specific areas for joint activities in cybersecurity. This Dialogue strengthened the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, supporting the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation from the ASEAN-India Summit on October 10.

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The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is organizing Ganga Utsav- The River Festival 2024 on November 4 at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar, marking the Ganga River as the ‘National River.’ The festival promotes Ganga conservation, its cultural and spiritual importance, and public cleanliness awareness. It will be the first Utsav on the riverbank, with celebrations across 139 districts and a major event in each Ganga basin state. It aims to strengthen people’s connection with the Ganga, foster river conservation, and raise awareness on preventing river pollution.

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Vigilance Awareness Week 2024, themed “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” runs from October 28 to November 3. Central Vigilance Commissioner Shri Praveen Kumar Srivastava and Vigilance Commissioner Shri A.S. Rajeev led the Integrity Pledge at Satarkata Bhawan, New Delhi. A three-month campaign supporting this week runs from August 16 to November 15, 2024. A special event at Vigyan Bhawan on November 8 will feature the President of India as Chief Guest. Ministries and departments are focusing on capacity building, systemic improvements, guideline updates, complaint resolutions, and digital transparency to enhance accountability.

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World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed annually on November 5 to raise awareness about tsunami dangers and promote preparedness. The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2015, highlighting the need for early warning systems and community education. November 5 was chosen for its historical significance, linked to the Japanese tale of Inamura-no-hi. The day emphasizes that early warning and preparedness can greatly reduce loss of life and property. It promotes best practices, effective evacuation plans, and encourages global cooperation to strengthen resilience against tsunamis.

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World Immunization Day, observed on November 10, raises awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases. Immunization is cost-effective, saves millions of lives, and reduces diseases like measles, polio, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. Vaccines strengthen community health through herd immunity, protecting both individuals and populations. The day encourages extending vaccine access, especially to underserved groups. In India, challenges exist in reaching remote areas, and many children remain partially or unimmunized. India’s initiatives like the Universal Immunization Programme and Mission Indradhanush have significantly reduced disease rates and child mortality.

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The 5th National EMRS Cultural & Literary Fest and Kala Utsav held from November 12-15, 2024, at Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This event, hosted by the Odisha Model Tribal Educational Society (OMTES), coincides with the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The theme honors tribal freedom fighters and aims to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of India’s tribal communities through various artistic events, promoting holistic development and bridging the gap between tribal and mainstream communities.

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World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 to promote kindness and positive deeds in communities. The 2024 theme, “Building a Kinder Tomorrow,” emphasizes raising compassionate individuals to create a future of empathy and understanding. Kindness is seen as a universal value that transcends race, religion, politics, gender, and location. The day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, uniting kindness-focused NGOs globally.

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FAO Director-General QU Dongyu urged all FAO Members and partners to join the newly launched Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The initiative was officially launched by Brazil at the G20 Leader’s Summit. It aims to accelerate progress toward eradicating poverty and hunger by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2. The alliance also focuses on reducing inequalities as part of SDG 10. It is an ambitious platform, created under Brazil’s G20 presidency, to drive urgent action towards these global goals.

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Airports Authority of India (AAI) is observing Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2024 from November 25 to 29 at all its airports and Air Navigation Services locations. The initiative includes week-long activities across India to promote aviation safety. AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar highlighted the importance of safety, aligning efforts with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan.