Celebrated annually on October 15^th

• Aim : to raise awareness about the courtesy rules of blindness and to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Learn how to interact with blind people in a respectful and inclusive way, and how to support their independence and mobility.
• Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, with roots in the early 20th century when the white cane was popularized as a mobility tool.

Celebrated on 15 October

• Aim : to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing diseases and promoting health.
• Theme : Why are clean hands still important?
• Established in 2008 by the Global Handwashing Partnership.

Observed on October 15.

• This day commemorates the birth anniversary of  APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Established by the United Nations in 2010to honor his contributions to education, science, and youth empowerment.
• Highlights the importance of students in shaping society and emphasizes education and accessible learning for all.

ABOUT APJ ABDUL KALAM

• Birth: Born on October 15, 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
• Known as the “People’s President” and the “Missile Man of India.”
• Key figure in India’s missile development and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
• He served as the 11th President of India from 2002-2007, but remained closely connected to students throughout his life.
• Death : Died on July 27, 2015 in Shillong while addressing students at IIM Shillong
• Legacy : In his honor, National Students’ Day is observed on October 15, his birthday.

Celebrated annually on October 15.

• Aim : to recognizing the critical role rural women play in the advancement of agriculture, rural development, and poverty eradication.
• Theme : Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All.

Observed annually on October 12th.

• Aim : to raise awareness about arthritis, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
• Theme : Informed Choices, Better Outcomes

Current Context : Recently, Chamba MLA Nayar distributes Rs 2.31 lakh among 11 beneficiaries under Beti Hai Anmol Scheme.

About Scheme

• It was launched in July 2010.
• Aim : to support the education and empowerment of girl children from Below Poverty Line (BPL)
• Financial Assistance: The scheme provides financial support in stages, beginning with a deposit of ₹21,000 at birth.
• It also offers scholarships from primary education through higher studies, with amounts ranging from ₹450 to ₹5,000 annually based on the educational level.

Eligibility:

1. Only two girl children from each BPL family are eligible.
2. The scheme covers girls born after July 5, 2010, and they must remain unmarried until 18 years of age to receive full benefits.
3. It ensures that the funds are used to support their education up to class 12 and beyond.

Current Context : Three individuals from Kangra district have been selected for Good Samaritan’ scheme.

About Good Samaritan Scheme

• It was launched by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to encourage ordinary citizens to assist road accident victims.
• Aim : to motivate people to act quickly during the critical “golden hour” following an accident, as timely medical help can save lives.
• Award: Each Good Samaritan receives a cash reward of ₹5,000 per incident, and an individual can be awarded a maximum of 5 times per year.
• National Recognition: Each year, the top 10 Good Samaritans are selected for national awards and receive ₹1,00,000, a certificate, and a trophy during the National Road Safety Month in Delhi.

Current Context : Recently, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released the latest edition of its biennial ‘Living Planet’ report.

• The report stresses urgent global action to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems by 2030.

KEY FINDINGS OF REPORT :

• Global Wildlife Decline: Wildlife populations have decreased by 73% from 1970 to 2020. Freshwater species faced the steepest declines, followed by terrestrial and marine populations​
• Regional Impact: Latin America and the Caribbean saw the sharpest drop in biodiversity at 95%, with Africa experiencing a 76% decline and Asia-Pacific 60%​
• Causes of Decline: The main drivers are habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species​

• India’s Role: India’s Millet Mission and Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) in Andhra Pradesh were praised for promoting sustainable agricultural practices​
• Sustainability Insight: If the world adopted India’s consumption patterns, less than one Earth would be needed to sustain future resource needs by 2050​

Current Context : Recently, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated IIS Mumbai to develop an industry-ready workforce for Industry 4.0.

• Aim : to make India a key player in modern industrial sectors and prepare the youth for future job markets.
• The institute is a collaboration between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Tata IIS, part of Tata Trusts.
• Goal : to equip students with skills that meet global industry needs, positioning India as a global hub for human resources.
• Focus on Advanced Technologies: Training is offered in areas like factory automation, digital manufacturing, AI, mechatronics, data analytics, and additive manufacturing.
• Courses and Collaborations: The institute provides both full-time and short-term courses, partnering with industry leaders such as Fanuc India and SMC India for hands-on learning with real industry equipment.

Current Context : The Katkari tribe, recently in the news for over 550 of its members receiving caste certificates at a ceremony in Male village, Pune. 

ABOUT KATKARI TRIBE

• It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) located mainly in Maharashtra (Pune, Raigad, and Thane districts) and parts of Gujarat.
• Historically forest dwellers, the Katkaris were known for producing katha (catechu) from the Khair tree, which led to their alternate name,
• PVTG Status: Katkaris are one of the 75 PVTGs in India, a classification that identifies the most vulnerable tribal groups based on backwardness, low literacy, and a negative population growth rate.
• Language: The tribe is bilingual, speaking Katkari (a dialect of Marathi-Konkani) and Marathi, with some also speaking Hindi.
• Occupation: Traditionally, Katkaris are agricultural laborers and sell firewood and jungle fruits. Many engage in fishing, brick manufacturing, coal making, and they hold substantial knowledge of uncultivated foods.
• Due to high landlessness (87% compared to 48% for rural households in India), migration is common, and their livelihoods are often seasonal.