Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness about the declining sparrow population. It was initiated by “Nature Forever” in 2010 and has spread to over 50 countries. In 2012, the house sparrow was declared Delhi’s state bird. Sparrows control insect populations, aid in pollination, and enhance biodiversity. Known as “Goraiya” (Hindi), “Kuruvi” (Tamil), and “Chirya” (Urdu), they hold cultural significance in India. People celebrate by planting greenery, reducing pesticides, and creating nesting spaces to protect sparrows.

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India Habitat Centre (IHC) organized special performances to celebrate World Puppetry Day on March 21. The day recognizes puppetry as a global art form and honors puppeteers worldwide. Puppetry involves making and manipulating puppets for theatrical performances on stage, television, or film. A puppet is a human, animal, or abstract figure moved by human effort, not mechanical aid. In India, puppetry is an ancient performing art used for storytelling, entertainment, and social commentary.

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The ‘World Poetry Day’ is observed every year on March 21. UNESCO established World Poetry Day in 1999 to promote reading, writing, and appreciation of poetry. The day highlights poetry’s role in cultural dialogue and social harmony. The World Poetry Day 2025 theme is “Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion.” The theme emphasizes poetry’s power to unite diverse communities and promote mutual respect globally. India has a rich literary heritage with diverse cultural and religious influences. Many legendary poets have shaped Indian literature across centuries. Notable poets include Tulsidas, Raskhan, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Mirza Ghalib, Kabir, Makhanlal Chaturvedi, Maithalisharan Gupt, and Subhadra Kumari Chauhan. Their poetry spans Hindi, English, and regional languages, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity.

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March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to raise awareness and promote efforts to eliminate TB. The 2025 theme is “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver.” The President of India praised the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) for reducing TB cases and increasing awareness. India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the 2030 global target set by WHO under the End TB Strategy. TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but also other body parts. It spreads through airborne transmission, via coughs or sneezes of an infected person.

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The 20th meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-20) has begun in Rome. Global leaders are discussing strategies to conserve plant and forest genetic resources and will release two major global reports. CGRFA is a permanent intergovernmental body under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established in 1983 and expanded in 1995. It aims to promote sustainable biodiversity use, enhance food security, and ensure fair benefit-sharing. The headquarters of CGRFA is in Rome, Italy.

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The 37th Kathak Mahotsav 2025, organized by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, a unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, concluded successfully. The six-day festival featured the world’s first-ever Kathak Literary Festival, along with seminars, exhibitions, and dance performances. All major Kathak gharanas—Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras, and Raigarh—were showcased through performances by renowned artists. The event was a landmark celebration of Kathak, bringing together scholars, dancers, and art enthusiasts.

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National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed on April 11 to promote maternal health and safe childbirth. It marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, honoring her legacy and highlighting the need for care to all pregnant and lactating women. The day spreads awareness about maternal rights, prenatal and postnatal care, and reducing maternal mortality. It aims to combat malnutrition, promote skilled birth attendance, and empower women through better health literacy. The 2025 theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” stresses quality healthcare from pregnancy to childbirth for safe outcomes for both mother and baby.

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Nepal celebrated its first-ever National Yak Day on April 20, 2025, to recognize the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of yaks in the Himalayan region. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) called for the yak to be included in the sustainable development agenda, especially in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. ICIMOD highlighted the vital role of indigenous communities like the Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Rai, and Limbu in preserving yak herding traditions. Yak herding supports food security, cultural identity, and biodiversity conservation in high-altitude areas. The event marked a step toward promoting mountain livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

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The Manipur Government is observing Khongjom Day today, April 23, at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex in Khebaching, Thoubal district. Khongjom Day is held every year to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Manipuri heroes in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, is the Chief Guest, and Chief Secretary Prasant Kumar Singh is presiding over the event. The event starts with Sankirtan, followed by floral tributes to fallen heroes and Major Paona Brajabashi.

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World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th to raise awareness about malaria. It is a global initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight against malaria and work towards its elimination. The theme for this year is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” urging renewed action at all levels. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It affects millions, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, and remains a serious public health challenge.