World Telecommunication Day 2012 and World Information Society Day 2012

World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969. The 17 May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865 and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union( ITU ). 

The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ( WTISD ) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies ( ICT ) can bring to societies and economics as well as ways to bridge the digital divide.

In November 2005,the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day.

In India Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited BSNL is No1 Telecommunication Company and 100% Government of India Undertaking organisation. On the occasion of World Telecommunication Day on   17 May, BSNL will be Launching New BSNL Website both in English and in Hindi. click on for BSNL new website www.new.bsnl.co.in   

MAY 12 : INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2012

The International Council of  Nurses (ICN) has celebrated the International Nurses Day every year on May 12 as it is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations and representing more than 13 million nurses worldwide.ICN was founded in 1889 and is the world's first and widest reaching international organization for health professionals. ICN  work to ensure quality nursing care,the advancement of nursing knowledge, presence of respected nurse profession globally and a competent and satisfied workforce.The ICN celebrates this important day every year with the production and distribution of International Nurses Day (IND) kit.

Florence Nightingale was a English Nurse born on May 12,1820 and she came to prominence for her pioneering work during Crimean War in 1854 where she tended to wounded soldiers,improved the deplorable conditions of wounded and dramatically reduced mortality rates among soldiers.

The theme for International Nurses Day 2012 is CLOSING THE GAP:From Evidence to Action

May 8 : WORLD RED CROSS DAY 2012 - Birthday of Henri Dunant

Every year on May 8,the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement marks World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The day is extremely significant for the red cross, as it is the birthday of founder HENRI DUNANT. The International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) founded in 1863 in Geneva,Switzerland by Henri Dunant. It is 25 member committee with an unique authority to protect human life and health and also to prevent and alleviate human suffering without any discrimination based on nationality,race,sex,religious beliefs or political opinions. The ICRC was awarded Noble Prize on three occasions in 1917,1944 and in 1963. Now the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement reaches 97 million volunteers,members and staff working together with an aim to protect human life.

EARTH DAY 2012

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth's natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an Environmental teach-in held on April 22,1970.

Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year.United Nations designated April 22 as INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY.

For more details logon to www.earthday.org

WORLD HEALTH DAY 2012

World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year organized by World Health Organization ( WHO ). 

Every year WHO is sponsoring to celebrate World Health Day globally. 

History:

In 1948 the World Health Organization held the First World Health Assembly and assembly decided to conduct World Health Day on April 7 from the year 1950.

World Health Day is a Global Campaign, inviting everyone all over the world to concentrate on a single health challenge with global impact.Focusing on new and emerging health issues World Health Day provides an opportunity to start collective action to protect people's health and well theme.

Every year the WHO is selected one Theme for the World Health Day and focus on the global activities or campaigns according to the theme.

This Year's 2012 Theme is " Ageing and Health - Good Health adds life to years  ".

The focus is how Good Health throughout life helps older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a resource to their families and communities. 

22 March : International Water Day 2012

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.


The Theme of the International Water Day 2012 is
" WATER and FOOD SECURITY "

Today 8 March : International Women's Day 2012

Every Year on March 8 many countries are celebrating this day as International Women's Day since 1975.

In 1975 during International Women's Year United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on March 8.Rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing countries. They enhance agricultural and rural development,improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce,comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide

The Theme of the International Women's Day 2012 is 

" EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN - END HUNGER and POVERTY "

Message from United Nations Secretary -General : Ban Ki-Moon

" Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that polices respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making. "

INDIA's NATIONAL ANTHEM Jana Gana Mana..... Completes 100 Years

Our National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.....Completed 100 years on 27 December 2011.

Nobel Laureate RAVINDRANATH TAGORE penned the song Jana Gana Mana..... (Five Stanzas) in highly Sanskritized Bengali language and was first sung on this day in 1911 at Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

After three years of our Independence,the Constitution Assemble officially declared the First Stanza of Jana Gana Mana...... song as India's National Anthem on January 24 1950.

Ravindranath Tagore translated Jana Gana Mana..... from Bengali to English and know as "The Morning Song of India". The music was set in Madanapalle town in Chittor District of Andhra Pradesh State.  

A Formal Rendition of National Anthem takes 52seconds.

India's National Anthem:

Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya hey

Bharatha bhagya vidhata,

Punjaba Sindhu Gujaratha Maratha 

Dravida Utkala Banga

Vindya Himachala Jamuna Ganga

Uchchala jaladhi taranga,

Tava subha namey jagey

Tava shubha asisha maagey

Gaahey tava jaya gaatha,

Jana gana magala dayaka jaya he,

Bharatha bhagya vidhatha,

Jaya hey,Jaya hey,Jaya hey,

Jaya jaya jaya jaya hey.       

 

NATIONAL CADET CORPS ( NCC ) DAY 2011

NATIONAL CADET CORPS ( NCC ) : The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is a youth development movement. It has enormous potential for nation building. The NCC provides opportunities to the youth of the country for their all-round development with a sense of Duty, Commitment, Dedication, Discipline and Moral Values so that they become able leaders and useful citizens. The NCC provides exposure to the cadets in a wide range of activities., with a distinct emphasis on Social Services, Discipline and Adventure Training.
The NCC is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis. The students have no liability for active military service.

NCC DAY celebrates on the FOURTH SUNDAY of NOVEMBER every year                           (This year 2011 observed on 27-11-2011)

About NCC:

• The National Cadets Corps came into existence under the National Cadet Corps Act XXXI of 1948(passed in April, 1948; came into existence on 16th July, 1948).
• The motto of NCC is:“ UNITY AND DISCIPLINE”.
• The AIM of NCC is to develop character, commandership, discipline , leadership, secular outlook , sprit of adventure and the ideals of selfless service amongst the youth of the country. 
• In NCC CREST 1) colour RED depicts the ARMY 2) colour DEEP BLUE depicts the NAVY and 3)colour LIGHT BLUE depicts the AIRFORCE.
• The Seventeen LOTUS Flowers in the NCC crest  represent the 17 State Directorates.
• At National Level NCC deals with MINISTRY of DEFENCE and at State Level deals with MINISTRY of EDUCATION.
• NCC Head Quarter is located at NEW DELHI  and head quarter level headed by DIRECTORATE GENERAL.
• The Director General (DG), is an Army Officer of the rank of Lieutnant General. The DG is assisted by two Additional Directors General (ADG), one a Major General from the Army and other a Rear Admiral from the Navy or an Air Vice Marshal from the Air Force. The Director General has a staff which is drawn from the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force. There are five Deputy Directors General (DD’sG) of the rank of Brigadier and equivalent, of which three are Brigadiers and one either a Commodore (Navy) or an Air Commodore (Air Force) and one a civilian officer.
• The NCC at the state level is divided into 17 Directorates, in which each state or group of states forms a Directorate. The smaller states and union territories are attached with Directorates of the bigger states.
• Age Limit to join in NCC: 1) At school level 13years to 18.5 years and 2) At college level upto 24years.
• Duration of the NCC Programme as an NCC Cadet :For Junior Division/Junior Wing Cadets: Two Years.
  For Senior Divsion/Senior Wing Cadets: Two Years with one year extension.
• Uniform in NCC 1) ARMY cadets wear khaki uniform. 2)NAVAL cadets wear white uniform 3) AIR FORCE cadets wear blue
  

Today 17 October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993.The General Assembly designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries.
17 October presents an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.
The commemoration of 17 October also reflects the willingness of people living in poverty to use their expertise to contribute to the eradication of poverty.

The theme of the 2011 observance is:
"From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development".

Today 13 October : International Disaster Reduction Day

About the United Nations Organization UNO:The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues, from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the advancement of women, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.

 13 October : International Disaster Reduction Day:

 The General Assembly UNO on 21 December 2009 decided to designate 13 October as the date to commemorate the Day and to change the Day's name to International Day for Disaster Reduction. The objective of the observance is to raise awareness how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters. In 2011, the observance takes place within the framework of the "Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction!" campaign, and its theme is “Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction”.

66.5 million children are affected annually by disasters. Because it is difficult for them to cope with unexpected and painful interruptions to their lives, they are often more affected than adults. Victims of disaster and climate change, children and young people can and should be encouraged to participate in disaster reduction and decision making.

"Vulnerability to disaster is growing faster than resilience.[...] Disaster risk reduction should be an everyday concern for everybody. Let us all invest today for a safer tomorrow."  

  Message from Secretary General UNO Ban Ki-Moon

NOBEL PRIZE 2011 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alfred Nobel

About the Noble Prizes:Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award.

2011 NOBEL PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENTS 

2011 Nobel Prize in Physics

The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae" with one half to Saul Perlmutter(USA) and the other half jointly to Brian P. Schmidt(USA) and Adam G. Riess(USA).

 

2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Dan Shechtman(Israel) "for the discovery of quasicrystals".

 

2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was divided, one half jointly to Bruce A. Beutler(USA) and Jules A. Hoffmann(Luxembourg country located in western europe) "for their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity" and the other half to Ralph M. Steinman(Canada) "for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity".

 

2011 Nobel Prize in Literature

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2011 is awarded to Tomas Tranströmer(Swedan) "because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality".

 

2011 Nobel Peace Prize

The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize is awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf(President of Liberia), Leymah Gbowee(Liberia at the time of award) and Tawakkul Karman(Yemen) "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work".

2011 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel

The 2011 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was awarded jointly to Thomas J. Sargent (USA) and Christopher A. Sims (USA) "for their empirical research on cause and effect in the macroeconomy"