Current Affairs Oct 2016 - Important Days

News 1 - World Habitat Day 2016 observed

The United Nations’ (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October. This year it was celebrated on 3^rd October. The 2016 World Habitat Day campaign aims to "raise awareness about the need for affordable housing for all in urban areas, towns and cities."

The purpose of the day is to reflect on the state of our cities and towns and the basic human right to adequate shelter. It also aims to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the habitat of future generations.

News 2 - International Day of Non-Violence observed across the world

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Non-Violence is observed annually on October 2 to promote non-violence through education and public awareness. The day coincides with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

The International Day of Non-Violence has strong connections with the works, beliefs, and methods of peace leader Mahatma Gandhi. The UN General Assembly came up with a resolution in 2007 to establish the International Day of Non-Violence. The first International Day of Non-Violence was observed on 2 October 2007.

News 3 - International Day of Older Persons 2016 observed on October 1

The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Older Persons is observed annually on October 1. The theme for 2016, Take a Stand Against Ageism, challenges everyone to consider ageism – the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age - and the detrimental impact it has on older people.

The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the issues and challenges of ageing in today’s world.

News 4 - World Space Week observed from 4-10 Oct

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition observed each year from October 4-10. The theme for the year 2016 is “Remote Sensing: Enabling our Future” which celebrates Earth Observation from Space for the betterment of humanity.

World Space Week consists of space education and outreach events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world.

News 5 - World Teacher's Day 2016 observed

The World Teachers' Day is observed globally on October 5 annually to commemorate teacher organizations worldwide. The theme for the World Teachers’ Day 2016 was Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status. Its aim is to mobilize support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.

The day celebrates the role teachers play in providing quality education at all levels. This enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.

News 6 - World Post Day 2016 observed with theme Innovation, Integration and Inclusion

World Post Day is celebrated every year on 9 October across the world following the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. World Post Day 2016 was observed based on the theme ‘Innovation, Integration and Inclusion’ to create awareness to the Post's role in the everyday lives of people and businesses.

The day was declared as World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Many countries honor their employees for good service on this day whereas some promote new postal products and services.

News 7 - World Mental Health Day observed on 10^th October

The World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10^th October to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. The theme for this year is 'Psychological First Aid'.

The day aims to gather support on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role whether they be health staff, teachers, firemen, community workers, or police officers.

News 8 - UN designates World Tsunami Awareness Day Nov 5

The UN General Assembly has designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day and called on the world to mark it. The theme for year 2016 is "effective education and evacuation drills". The observance of the day would help 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.

To commemorate the occasion in India, an event will be organised with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Champions at the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016.

News 9 - International Day for Disaster Reduction observed

The International Day for Disaster Reduction is held every year on 13 October to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. That includes disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

The campaign seeks to create a wave of awareness about actions taken to reduce mortality around the world. The theme for the year 2016 is “Live to Tell: Raising Awareness, Reducing Mortality”. The 2016 edition marks the launch of the new "Sendai Seven" campaign by UNISDR, centred on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework, the first of which is reducing disaster mortality.

News 10 - World Sight Day observed

The World Sight Day is observed on the second Thursday of October each year to focus attention on blindness and vision impairment. The theme for World Sight Day 2016 is "Stronger Together".

The WHO along with International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) are actively involved in coordinating events and activities for World Sight Day. The day also aims to educate target audiences about blindness prevention, about VISION 2020 and its activities, and to generate support for VISION 2020 program activities.

News 11 - International Day of Rural Women 2016 observed

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on October 15. The day recognizes rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide.

The theme for year 2016 is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too”. In developing countries, rural women represent approximately 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force, and produce, process and prepare much of the food available, thereby giving them primary responsibility for food security.

News 12 - World Student Day observed on October 15^th

The World Student’s Day’ is celebrated annually on October 15. The day is dedicated to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s former President. Due to his love for students and focus on promoting education, the United Nations declared his birthday (October 15) as ‘World Student’s Day’ in 2010.

He was also honoured with 'Bharat Ratna' for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India.

News 13 - World Standards Day observed on 14^th October

The 'World Standards Day'/"International standards day" is celebrated anually on 14^th October throughout the world. The theme for this year is "Standards build trust".

The day honours the efforts of the thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

News 14 - World Food Day observed on October 16^th

The World Food Day was celebrated on 16^th October. The day is observed annually and marks the foundation of Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945.

The global message for this year World Food Day is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.” FAO has called on countries to address food and agriculture in their climate action plans and invest more in rural development.

News 15 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed annually on October 17^th. The day promotes people’s awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

The theme for the year 2016 is - Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms. The theme highlights the importance to recognize and address the humiliation and exclusion endured by many people living in poverty.

News 16 - Police Commemoration Day observed

The Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year. The day commemorates the sacrifices of ten policemen while defending the borders with China in 1959.

Since 1961, 31895 Police personnel have sacrificed their lives for security of the nation and service to the society. During the year (from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013), 579 Police personnel throughout the country have laid down their lives on the call of duty.

News 17 - United Nations Day 2016 observed

The United Nations Day is celebrated annually on 24^th October to make the people of the world know about the aims and achievements of the United Nations Organization. The day highlights, celebrates and reflects on the work of the United Nations (UN).

The 24^th of October has been celebrated as the United Nations Day since 1948. This year's UN Day will be used to highlight concrete actions people can take to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

News 18 - World Development Information Day observed

The United Nations' (UN) World Development Information Day is observed annually on October 24. The day draws attention of worldwide public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

The day coincides with United Nations Day on October 24. World Development Information Day was first held on October 24, 1973. Members of the UN annually organize various events that draw public attention to the problems and necessity of strengthening international cooperation.

News 19 - COAS pays homage at Amar JawanJyoti on the occasion of Infantry Day

The 'Infantry Day' was celebrated on 27 Oct 2016 at Amar JawanJyoti wherein Gen Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen JJ Singh, (Retd) former Chief of Army Staff, Director General Infantry and Colonels of Infantry Regiments laid wreaths and paid homage to the braves of the Infantry.

The Infantry celebrates 27 October each year as the Infantry Day to commemorate the first Infantry action. The Infantry has been at the forefront of all operations that Indian Army has undertaken.

News 20 - World Audiovisual Heritage 2016 observed worldwide

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is celebrated every year on 27^th October across the world. UNESCO engages audiovisual archives around the globe in celebrating 27 October by presenting their precious collections and holdings to promote the value of audiovisual heritage.

2016 theme was ‘It’s your story – don’t lose it’. Various competitions, such as a logo contest, local programs, panel discussions, conferences and special film screenings were organized. The World Day raises general awareness of the need to take urgent measures and to empathizes the importance of audiovisual documents.

News 21 - Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and Run for Unity on 31^st October 2016

The 31^st of October every year is being celebrated as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or the National Unity Day to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Lohpurush Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The theme of 2016 is “Integration of the Nation”. The Prime Minister flagged off the Run for Unity at the National Stadium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes on the 28^th October to Sardar Patel at Patel Chowk, addressed the public at National Stadium and administered the pledge of national unity on the occasion. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Digital Exhibition on Sardar Patel.

News 22 - First Ever National Day of Ayurveda observed throughout India

The First Ever National Ayurveda Day was celebrated throughout India on the 28^th of Oct 2016 on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti. A Seminar on “Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda” was held in Delhi and Ayurveda Day logo was also released.

Three renowned Practitioners, Academicians & Researchers of Ayurveda received the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards i.e. Prof. Premwati Tiwari, Shri Parshuram Yashawant Vaidya Khadiwale and Vaidya P. R. Krishna Kumar. An Ayurveda compendium on diabetes research “Ayurveda for Diabetes Care” developed by CCRAS was released on the occasion.

News 23 - World Cities Day observed across the globe on 31^st October

In order to recognize and recall the importance of urban basic services as a foundation for the overall social and economic development, the UN General Assembly announced 31 October as World Cities Day via resolution 68/239. World Cities Day 2016 was observed across the globe with theme ‘Inclusive Cities, Shared Development’, with the aim to mark the importance of urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion.

In the celebrations of the World Cities Day, local governments worldwide introduced a joint-message to the world of ‘Local Governments moving towards the New Urban Agenda’.