Current Affairs Feb 2019 - Important Days

1 - 1 February 2019 - Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

Indian Coast Guard Day is celebrated on every 1^st of February (every year) to memorize its foundation day. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is an armed force of India which is founded exclusively to protect the maritime interests and enforce maritime law.

The interim Indian Coast Guard was set up on February 1, 1977 with the objective to restrain the sea-borne smuggling of goods.

To execute its responsibility properly, the ICG works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Revenue (i.e. Customs), Department of Fisheries, and the Central and State police forces.

2 - 2 February 2019 - World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 of every year internationally. February 2 is marked as the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands i.e. on February 2, 1971.

Since then, every year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community, celebrate World Wetlands Day to increase the public awareness about the benefits of the wetlands.

3 - 4 February 2019 – World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 of every year internationally. The objective of such celebration is to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has set up World Cancer Day to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, which was written in 2008. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to considerably reduce illness and death caused by cancer. Besides, it also offers an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.

4 - 11 February 2019 – International Day of Women and Girls in Science

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated on February 11 of every year. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly with the objective to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

The Day reminds that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities. Further, women and girls’ participation strengthens science and technology. The celebration is managed by UNESCO and UN-Women, in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners that promote women and girls' access to and participation in science.

5 - 12 February 2019 – Darwin Day

Darwin Day is celebrated on February 12 of every year to commemorate the birthday of Charles Darwin (he was born on 12 February 1809). Darwin Day is celebrated around the world.

The date February 12 is used to highlight Darwin's contributions to science and it also promotes science in general. The celebration of Darwin's work and tributes to his life have been organized occasionally since his death on April 19, 1882 (i.e. at age 73).

6 - 20 February 2019 – World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice is celebrated on February 20 of every year to recognize the need of promoting efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, and unemployment.

Ideal topics of social justice for teaching students include (but are not limited to) childhood poverty, global citizenship, human rights, and sustainable development. Moreover, the Declaration of world day of social justice focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights.

7 - 21 February 2019 – International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 of every year to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999; however, General Assembly of United Nations recognized it as the International Year of Languages in 2008.

The idea of celebrating the International Mother Language Day was originated in Bangladesh. In fact, February 21 is the anniversary of the day on which Bangladeshis fought for the recognition for the Bangla Language.

8 - 28 February 2019 – National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated in India on February 28 of every year. It is celebrated to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by the Indian Physicist Sir C V Raman on February 28, 1928.

In 1930, Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery in Physics. The theme of the year 2019 was - "Science for the People, and People for the Science."

Following are the objectives of celebrating National Science Day every year:

• to spread a message about the importance of science used in the daily life of the people;

• to display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for human welfare;

• to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development in the field of science;

• to give an opportunity to the scientific minded citizens in the country; and

• to encourage the people as well as popularize the Science and Technology.

Important Days in Nutshell