Category DAYS TO REMEMBER

           December 4 is the Indian Navy Day. Indian Navy safeguards the Indian waters and coasts.

           The Naval Force or maritime force is designed to defend the nation against threats that come through the seas. The maritime history of India dates back about 6,000 years, as navigation was popular in the Indus Valley civilization.

           The Maurya Empire, the Kalinga Empire and the Vijayanagara Empire were known maritime powers during their reign. Shivaji Bhosale of the Maratha Empire is considered the Father of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy founded by the East India Company came into force in 1612. Today, the Indian Navy plays a great role in securing the marine borders of the country as well as enhancing the international relations of India through many ways like seaport visits, joint exercises, humanitarian missions and calamity relief. The modern Indian navy has undergone speedy renovation in order to enhance its strength in the Indian Ocean region.

           Navy Day in India is observed to honour the courageous attack by the Navy on the Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971 and pay respects to all the martyrs of that war.

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                                                In 1886, labourers in Chicago had declared a general strike starting from May 1 in order to limit the working hours to 8 hours a day. In the commotion that ensued, police fired at the workers and killed eight of them. The event created further ripples in the society as riots broke out and the police and the military killed more civilians. In 1891, the anniversary of the Chicago protests was observed as the International Workers’ Day for the first time. The day is also known as May Day.

                                                In India, the day has another significance too. In 1923, a prominent Communist leader Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar raised the red flag in Chennai on May 1 and inaugurated communism in India. That was also the event when May Day celebrations were introduced in our country. May Day symbolizes the strength in union and fraternity and it tells the world that labourers who build the world are to be respected and their rights, protected.

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                                                The Indian Constitution is considered one the most comprehensive of all constitutions in the world. On April 14, India celebrates the birthday of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar Jayanti is an occasion to acknowledge not only the contribution he has made to create the Constitution, but also the efforts he took in uplifting the Dalits and other marginalized castes in India.

                                                Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality, marking his presence as an economist, jurist, politician and social reformer who fought against social discrimination towards the untouchables, while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He is known the world over as the Indian crusader for social justice.

                                                Ambedkar Jayanti inspires men and women to stand up for their rights and fight against any kind of discrimination in society.

          The human body wages an unceasing war against microbes that attack it from all over. While many diseases still pose fatal threats, modern medical science has been successful in overpowering many that used to be life threatening.

          Vaccines, synthetic formulae that provide immunity against diseases, have been a boon to societies. On March 16, 2014, the National Vaccination Day, India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization.

           Polio, also known as infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease that causes muscle weakness resulting in an inability to move. Aggressive vaccination campaigns and concerted efforts, however, have resulted in freeing the country of polio, smallpox and such diseases. The National Vaccination Day attempts to spread awareness regarding the importance of eradicating polio and such other deadly diseases from our planet Earth.

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              Thousands of men have sacrificed their lives for India’s independence. Although names of many of them have faded into oblivion, their character, courage and commitment have inspired millions of Indians to work towards building India into a prosperous nation.

              On January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, the nation pays homage to the freedom fighters and those people who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. The day is observed as Martyrs’ Day.

              Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, is recognized as one of the greatest leaders of our times. His greatest contribution to humanity is the praxis of non-violence and civil disobedience that won India its freedom. He is reputed for professing in his life spirituality and politics, two seemingly irreconcilable aspects of life.

             Gandhi was shot down by Nathuram Godse, another Indian, who was intolerant of Gandhi’s altruistic attitudes. Martyrs’ Day is a reminder to us to be ever vigilant against rising hatred and violence in society.

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            A nation becomes fully independent when it has a body of fundamental principles, known as a constitution, according to which the state is acknowledged to be governed. India became an independent republic and its constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. Therefore January 26 is celebrated as Indian Republic Day.

            Chaired by B. R. Ambedkar, the Constituent Assembly that drafted the constitution included statesmen like Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel and Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi. The Indian constitution is the longest written constitution in the world.

              On Republic Day, India celebrates its constitution that declares the nation as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality and liberty.

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          Subhas Chandra Bose, fondly called Netaji, is one of the most prominent revolutionary leaders of the Indian freedom movement. He was born on January 23, 1887 and the same day is celebrated as. Netaji Jayanti.

          Although the credit for leading the national struggle against the British could be given to the non-violent movement of Gandhi, Bose’s armed struggle played an important role in it too. He went to Japan in 1943 to plan an attack on the British Raj and win independence for India with Japan’s help. His Indian National Army, in fact, captured Kohima from the British. However, as Japan could not intervene and help the INA in time, his top lieutenants were arrested and captured. The INA remains a symbol of our nation’s determination and courage to rise up against the enemy.

          While there is still uncertainty around Netaji’s disappearance, his popularity and iconic status as a warrior has not diminished in any measure in India. Even today, Netaji continues to inspire thousands of young men to show their love for their nation.

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         The army not only guards the borders of our nation, but also takes part in several other activities aimed at serving the people.

         Soldiers make appropriate interventions at the times of natural disasters and calamities with wide impact, and help the victims by bringing them food and other necessary amenities. They also help governments in conducting larger events smoothly. The Indian Army Day is observed on January 15, the anniversary of shifting of power from the British General, Sir Francis Butcher, to the Indian General, KM Cariappa.

         Indian Army is the third largest standing army in the world. Celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as in other headquarters, the day marks a day to respect the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens.

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        The youth are the future of any nation. Investing wisely in the youth in terms of education will guarantee a prosperous nation. The National Youth Day on January 12 falls on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a great Indian monk and philosopher.

       Swami Vivekananda, born in 1863, was a prodigy. The foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the 19th century Indian saint, he was a spokesperson for the Vedanta philosophy of India. He placed India on the world map with his historical speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. The monk represented Hinduism and India at this first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893; and subsequently, he was invited to speak all over America and Europe.

         He was also a key figure in the introduction of yoga to the western world. The National Youth Day is celebrated to remind each young mind of India to be a courageous and responsible citizen.

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          Does science contribute to world peace? Science has often been criticized for inventing devices that wreaked havoc in the world. From bombs and guns to nuclear weapons of mass destruction, some scientific inventions have caused the death of millions of people.

          Today, the scientific community is striving hard to direct scientific Pursuits for the peace and Prosperity of the world. Therefore, the International Week of Science and Peace, celebrated from November 6 to 12, poses some very relevant questions.

          Science should be more responsible today. Scientists should be able to stand by the high moral standards in order that science may fuel constructive and proactive developments in society. Education across the globe should be directed at a scientific way of thinking rather than mere learning pure sciences. The International Week of Science encourages greater academic exchanges of universal importance while also generating greater awareness of the relationship of science and peace among the public.

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