Today, the country celebrates Martyrs' Day 2024. The death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is 30 January. He was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, on 30 January 1948, while he was on his way to address an evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhavan, Delhi.
Mahatma Gandhi is known as the 'Father of the Nation'. He led the freedom movement in India and emphasised the use of non-violent and peaceful methods to fight the British rule.
Significance:
Mahatma Gandhi is known all over the country for influencing minds for practising peace and non-violence. He influenced people both in India as well as abroad. Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary – October 2 – is celebrated as The International Day of Non-violence. It was proposed by the United Nations General Assembly. School Day of Nonviolence and Peace is observed on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary– this day is dedicated to chiseling young minds in schools to explore peaceful ways of conflict resolution.
NVD 2024 theme - ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For sure’ is a continuation from last year's theme.
Since 2011, National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year, across the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, i.e. 25th January 1950. The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process.
Hon’ble President of India will give away NVD Awards to mark the day, ECI celebrates 75th year of service to the nation.
Election Commission of India is celebrating 14th National Voters’ Day (NVD) on 25th January 2024. Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the national function being organized in New Delhi by the Election Commission of India. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge), Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal will grace the function as Guest of Honour. The event will also be attended by Heads and representatives of Election Management bodies viz. Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT
1) During the event, Hon’ble President will present the Best Electoral Practices Awards for the year 2023. Awards will be presented to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections during 2023 in different spheres
2) The first copy of the ECI Publication ‘ECI initiatives for General Elections 2024’ will be presented to the Hon’ble President by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar.
3) Short voter awareness film - ‘My Vote My Duty’ produced by ECI in association with renowned filmmaker Shri Raj Kumar Hirani will also be screened.
4) On January 25, 2024, the Election Commission of India celebrates its 75th year of service to the Nation. To mark this momentous occasion, and in light of the 2024 Parliamentary Elections – a commemorative postage stamp themed "Inclusive Elections" will be released.
5) On the occasion, an innovative multi-media campaign for Voter Education and Awareness for the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections 2024 will also be launched.
6) A multimedia exhibition showcasing the grandeur of Indian elections, electoral reforms, technological advancements and election management innovations will also be displayed.
Discrimination based on gender is a big issue that females experience throughout their lives all across the country. Every year on January 24, India commemorates National Girl Child Day to raise awareness about a girl child’s rights and the necessity of her education, health, and nutrition. The day correlates with government efforts and programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, women’s reservations in colleges and universities, free/subsidised education, and Save the Girl Child.
History of the National Girl Child Day
The Ministry of Women and Child Development initiated the National Girl Child Day in the year of 2008, with the major goal to promote awareness and address disparities that girls encounter in the country, as well as to educate everyone about a girl child’s rights.
Celebration of Birthday Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
The Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was celebrated with great enthusiasm at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya ITBP Shift 2, Seemadwar Dehradun, under the mentorship and guidance of respected Principal Shri Sanjay Kumar, whose unwavering commitment to educational excellence served as a guiding force throughout the event. Organized by Ms. Pooja Sharma, TGT Library, the program featured various activities paying tribute to the iconic leader.
The event began with Vice Principal Ms. Gunjan Srivastav felicitating Netaji's picture with a garland and flowers, setting the tone for the commemoration. Mr. H.C Joshi, TGT S.ST., engaged the audience in Sikshak Paricharcha, sharing insights into Netaji's life.
A presentation on Netaji's biography highlighted his contributions to India's independence struggle. Students expressed their admiration for Netaji through artistic expression. Vice Principal Ms. Gunjan Srivastav delivered an inspiring message, encouraging students to embody Netaji's principles.
Creative talents were showcased through drawings and artworks depicting key moments in Netaji's life, adding a visually captivating element. The program concluded with a musical presentation by students, resonating with the audience and honoring Netaji's legacy.
In summary, the Birth Anniversary Celebration at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya ITBP Shift 2 was a meaningful, educational event fostering patriotism. The coordination and participation of students and teachers created a memorable and enriching experience.
आज सिखों के दसवें गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी का 357वां प्रकाश पर्व है. वह सिखों के नौवें गुरु तेगबहादुर के पुत्र थे. इनका जन्म पौष माह के शुक्ल पक्ष की सप्तमी तिथि को हुआ था. तभी से हर साल इस तिथि पर इनकी जयंती मनाई जाती है. इस दिन गुरुद्वारों में भव्य आयोजन कराएजाते हैं l
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी का जन्म पटना के साहिब (बिहार) में हुआ था. गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने खालसा पंथ की स्थापना की थी. यह सिखों के इतिहास की सबसे महत्वपूर्ण घटना मानी जाती है. गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने ही गुरु ग्रंथ साहिब को सिखों का गुरु घोषित किया था. उन्होंने अपना पूरा जीवन मानव सेवा और सच्चाई के मार्ग पर चलते हुए बिता दिया.
पांच ककार*
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने खालसा पंत की रक्षा के लिए कई बार मुगलों से टकराए थे. सिखों को बाल, कड़ा, कच्छा, कृपाण और कंघा धारण करने का आदेश गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने ही दिया था. इन्हें 'पांच ककार' कहा जाता है. हर सिख के लिए इन्हें धारण करना अनिवार्य है l
पटना साहिब गुरुद्वारा*
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह ने अपने जीवन में जिन चीजों को इस्तेमाल किया, उन्हें आज भी बिहार के पटना साहिब गुरुद्वारे में सुरक्षित रखा गया है. यहां गुरु गोविंद की छोटी कृपाण भी मौजूद है, जिसे वो हमेशा अपने पास रखते थे. यहां इनकी खड़ाऊ और कंघा भी रखा हुआ है. इनकी मां जिस कुएं से पानी भरती थीं, वो भी यहां मौजूद है l
खालसा सैनिकों के नियम
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी ने खालसा योद्धाओं के लिए कुछ विशेष नियम बनाए थे. उन्होंने तम्बाकू, शराब, हलाल मांस का त्याग और कर्तव्यों का पालन करते हुए निर्दोष व बेगुनाह लोगों को बचाने की बात कही थीl
अनेक भाषाओं का ज्ञान*
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी अपने ज्ञान और सैन्य ताकत की वजह से काफी प्रसिद्ध थे. ऐसा कहा जाता है कि गुरु गोबिंद सिंह को संस्कृत, फारसी, पंजाबी और अरबी भाषाएं भी आती थीं. धनुष-बाण, तलवार, भाला चलाने में उन्हें महारथ हासिल थी l
संत सिपाही
गुरु गोबिंद सिंह विद्वानों के संरक्षक थे. इसलिए उन्हें 'संत सिपाही' भी कहा जाता था. उनके दरबार में हमेशा 52 कवियों और लेखकों की उपस्थिति रहती थी. गुरु गोबिंद सिंह स्वयं भी एक लेखक थे, अपने जीवन काल में उन्होंने कई ग्रंथों की रचना की थी. इनमें चंडी दी वार, जाप साहिब, खालसा महिमा, अकाल उस्तत, बचित्र नाटक और जफरनामा जैसे ग्रंथ शामिल हैं l
उठो, जागो और तब तक नहीं रुको जब तक मंजिल प्राप्त न हो जाये"
National Youth Day is observed on 12th JanuaryNational Youth Day is celebrated every year to honor the ideals and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was very vocal about the importance of youth in the process of nation-building.
Born on 12th January 1863 in Kolkata, the spiritual thinker was unlike any other monk. What Swami Vivekananda achieved overseas played a major role in reviving India's image as a land of spirituality.
The speech he delivered at the at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 which began with "Sisters and brothers of America" immortalized the ideals the monk believed in globally.
Swami Vivekananda always focused immensely on harnessing the potential of the youth. He wanted to inspire the young generation so that they could counter the British and attain Independence.
Swami Vivekananda's weapons of winning the world were education and peace. He always portrayed himself as a 'Nationalist Saint' who wanted the youth to get out of their comfort zones and achieve absolutely anything they desire.
Swami Vivekananda had incredible understanding and knowledge of philosophy, religion, literature, Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and what not.every year since 1985. The day also marks the birth anniversary of the Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda's aspiration was to motivate the youth to an extent that they start voicing the changes they desire and ultimately accomplish them. In order to honor his vision and motivate youth to act on it, National Youth Day is celebrated across the country.
Famous quotes of Swami Vivekananda:
"A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built."
2. "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."
3. "Great work requires great and persistent effort for a long time. Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles."
4. Your aim is yours, so don’t change it for others."
5. "Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached."
6. "If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished-mountains can be crumbled into atom.”
7. “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.”
8. “A few heart- whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century.”
9. "Face the brutes.’ That is a lesson for all life-face the terrible, face it boldly. Like the monkeys, the hardships of life fall back when we cease to flee before them.”
10. "In a day, when you don’t come across any problems – you can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path.”
World Braille Day on January 4 is celebrated to honor the birth of Braille’s inventor, Louis Braille. Braille’s gift to the world has brightened the lives of millions of people around the world who are blind or visually impaired, and they benefit from his work every day. The day also acknowledges that those with visual impairments deserve the same standard of human rights as everyone else.
ABOUT THE LOUIS BRAILE
The term ‘Braille’ was dubbed after its creator. Louis Braille was a Frenchman who lost his eyesight as a child when he accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with his father’s awl. From the age of 10, he spent time at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in France, where he formulated and perfected the system of raised dots that eventually became known as Braille.
Braille completed his work, developing a code based on cells with six dots, making it possible for a fingertip to feel the entire cell unit with one touch and moving quickly from one cell to the next. Eventually, Braille slowly came to be accepted throughout the world as the main form of written information for blind people. Unfortunately, Braille didn’t have the opportunity to see how useful his invention had become. He passed away in 1852, two years before the Royal Institute began teaching Braille.
Braille’s marvelous aid that opened up a world of accessibility to the blind and visually impaired was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In November 2018, January 4 was declared World Braille Day. The first-ever World Braille Day was commemorated the following year and it was celebrated as an international holiday.
