Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Government of India will commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a two-year-long nationwide celebration from 2024 to 2026.

The celebration will begin on October 31, 2024, which is Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.

National Unity Day: October 31 is already observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) to reinforce the dedication to strengthening the unity, integrity, and security of the nation.

Statue of Unity: The 182-meter Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, was inaugurated in 2018 as a tribute to Sardar Patel. 

Historical Significance: Sardar Patel is credited with integrating over 550 princely states into the Indian Union, laying the foundation for a unified nation.

Snippets Of 26-10-2024

International Dwarfism Awareness Day 2024
International Dwarfism Awareness Day is observed annually on October 25. This day celebrates individuals with dwarfism and aims to raise awareness about the challenges they face and educate the public about achondroplasia, the most common cause of dwarfism.

Key Points

History: The day was established by Little People of America (LPA) in 2012 to honor the birthday of actor Billy Barty, who had dwarfism.

Bilateral Exercise SIMBEX 2024

The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is taking place from October 23 to 29, 2024, at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

Purpose: The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, improve maritime domain awareness, and foster cooperation to address common maritime challenges.

SIMBEX, which began as "Exercise Lion King" in 1994, has evolved into one of the most significant bilateral maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

World Polio Day 2024

World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about polio, its prevention, and the global efforts to eradicate the disease.

History 

World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to honor the birthday of Jonas Salk, who developed the first effective polio vaccine in the 1950s.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988, marking a significant step towards eradicating polio worldwide.

Theme for 2024 

The theme for World Polio Day 2024 is "A Global Mission to Reach Every Child".

About polio 

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children.

Causes and Transmission 

Caused by: The poliovirus. 

Transmission: Spread through the faecal-oral route, often via contaminated water or food.

Symptoms: Most people infected with the poliovirus have no symptoms, but some may experience mild symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and pain. In severe cases, it can cause paralysis and even death.

Prevention and Vaccination 

Vaccines: There are two main types of polio vaccines: 

Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Developed by Jonas Salk in the 1950s, administered via injection.

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Developed by Albert Sabin in the early 1960s, administered orally. 

Global Eradication Efforts Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): Launched in 1988, this initiative has significantly reduced polio cases worldwide.

Current Status: Polio remains endemic in only a few countries, primarily Afghanistan and Pakistan.

India's Success Story 

Eradication in India: India was declared polio-free in 2014 after a massive vaccination campaign. The country faced significant challenges, including a large population, difficult geography, and cultural barriers.

International Day of Diplomats 2024

The International Day of Diplomats is celebrated annually on October 24. This day honors the invaluable role that diplomats play in maintaining international relations, fostering peace, and promoting dialogue between countries.