Important Days and Dates

National and International - Important Day

Important days / dates in January:
January 01 : Global family day.
January 09 : NRI Day.
January 10 : World laughter day.
January 12 : National Youth Day.
January 15 :Army Day.
January 23: Netaji Subhash Chandra bose birthday
January 26 : India's Republic Day
January 26 : International Customs day.
January 28 : Lala lajpat rai birthday
January 28 : Data protection day
January 30 : Martyrs' Day
January 30 : World leprosy eradication day

Important days / dates in February:

February 04 : World Cancer day
February 06 : International day against female genital mutilation
February 12 : Darwin day
February 12 : World day of the sick.
February 13 : Sarojini Naydu's birthday
February 14 : Valentine’s day
February 20 : World day of social justice
February 21 : International mother language day
February 22 : World scout day
February 23 : World peace and understanding day
February 24 : Central Excise Day.
February 28 : National Science Day.

Important days / dates in March:

March 4 : World day of fight against sexual exploitation, National Security day.
March 8 : International Women's Day
March 13 : World kidney day
March 15 :World Disabled Day
March 15 : World consumer right day.
March 20 : World day of theatre for children and young people.
March 20 : International day for Francophonie
March 20 : World Sleep day
March 21 : World Forestry Day.
March 21 :International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
March 22 : World water day
March 23 :World Meteorological Day.
March 24 : World T.B. day
March 24 : International day for achievers
March 25 : International day of remembrance-victims of slavery and transatlantic slave trade
March 27 : World Drama day

Important days / dates in April:
April 2 : World autism day
April 5 : National Maritime Day.
April 7 :World Health Day.
April 17 : World haemophilia day
April 18 :World Heritage Day.
April 22 :Earth Day.
April 23 : World book and copyright day
April 25 : World Malaria day
April 29 : International Dance day

Important days / dates in May
May 1 : International Labour Day (Workers Day)
May 3 :Press Freedom Day.
May 4 : Coal miner’s day
May (2nd Sunday) : Mother's Day
May 8 :World Red Cross Day.
May 9 : Victory day
May 11 : National Technology Day.
May 12 : International Nurses day
May 14 : World Migratory day
May 15 : International Day of the Family.
May 17 :World Telecommunication Day (Information society day)
May 21 : Anti-terrorism day
May 24 :Commonwealth Day.
May 31 :Anti-Tobacco Day.

Important days / dates in June:
June 4 :International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
June 5 : World Environment Day.
June 7 : International level crossing awareness day
June 8 : World ocean day
June 12 : World day against child labour
June(2nd Sunday) : Father’s Day.
June 14 : World blood donor day
June 17 : World day to combat desertification and drought
June 20 : World Refugee day.
June 21 : Father's day, World Music day.
June 23 : United Nation’s public service day
June 23 : International Widow’s day
June 26 : International day against Drug abuse & Illicit Trafficking.
June 27 : World Diabetes Day.

Important days / dates in July:
July 1 : National Doctor’s day.
July 6 :World Zoonosis Day.
July 11 : World Population Day.
July 12 : World Malala day
July 18 : Nelson Mendela International day
July 28 : World Nature conservation day

Important days / dates in August:
August 2 : International Friendship Day.
August 3 : Independence day of Niger
August 5 : Independence day of upper volta
August 6 :Hiroshima Day
August 9 : International day of World’s indigenous people
August 9 :Quit India Day and Nagasaki Day.
August 12 : International Youth day
August 15 : Independence Day of India
August 23 : International day for the remembrance of the slave trade and its abolition
August 29 : National Sports Day.

Important days / dates in September:
September 5 : Teachers' Day (Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday)
September 5 : Forgiveness day
September 8 :World Literacy Day.
September 14 : Hindi day, World first aid day
September 16 :World Ozone Day. Engineer's day in India
September 21 :Alzheimer's Day, International day of peace
September 25 : Social justice day
September 26 : Day of the Deaf.
September 27 : World Tourism Day.

Important days / dates in October:
October 1 : International day of the Older person
October 2 : Mahatma Gandhi birthday, International day of non-violence
October 3 :World Habitat Day, World nature day
October 4 :World Animal Welfare Day.
October 5 : World Teacher’s day.
October 8 : Indian Air Force Day.
October 9 : World Post Office day.
October 10 : National Post Day.
October 11 : International girl child day
October 12 : World Arthritis day.
October 13 :UN International Day for National disaster reduction.
October 14 :World Standards Day.
October 15 : World White Cane Day( guiding the Blind)
October 16 : World Food Day.
October 17 : International day for the eradication of poverty.
October 20 : World statistics day
October 24 : UN Day, World development information Day.
October 30 :World Thrift Day.

Important days / dates in November:
November 1 : World vegan day
November 5 : World Radiography day.
November 9 : World services day
November 14 : Children's Day in India, Jawaharlal Nehru birthday
November 16 : International day for Endurance
November 17 : World Student day, National Journalism day
November 18 : World Adult day.
November 19 : World Citizen day.
November 20 : Africa Industrialization Day, Universal children day.
November 21 : World Television day, World Fisheries day.
November 25 : World Non-veg day.
November 26 : Law day
November 29 : International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People.
November 30 : Flag day.

Important days / dates in December:
December 1 : World Aids Day.
December 2 : World Computer literacy day, International day of abolition of slavery
December 3 : International day of People with disabilities, World conservation day
December 4 : Navy Day.
December 5 : International volunteer day for economic and social development.
December 7 :Armed Forces Flag Day, International civil aviation day.
December 9 : The International day against corruption.
December 10 :Human Right Day.
December 11 : International Mountain day.
December 14 : International Energy day.
December 18 : International Migrants day.
December 19 : Goa’s liberation day.
December 20 : International Human solidarity.
December 23 :Kisan Divas Farmer's Day).
December 29 : International Bio-diversity day

Story of Cursed Flower

Story of Cursed Flower

Once upon a time, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were having an argument. The topic on which they were quarrelling was who amongst the two was superior to the other. When they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared in front of them in the shape of a light. The light was boundless. It stretched on all directions as far as their eyes could reach. It was like the sky, no boundaries. Brahma and Vishnu then decided, the one who finds the boundaries of the light would win and hence will be the superior of the two.

Lord Vishnu changed his appearance into a boar and Lord Brahma into a swan and proceeded in finding the boundaries. Vishnu went downwards and tried his best but could not find the bottom seam of the light. Brahma on the other hand went upwards to find the upper boundary of the light. But he too proved unsuccessful. However, he saw a flower falling downwards. He caught it and went at the place where the race had started. Lord Vishnu was waiting for Brahma desperately. He feared if Brahma would have found the boundary.

Looking at the desperate and sad look on Vishnu’s face, Brahma thought of lying to Vishnu. He claimed to succeed in finding the upper border of the light. He showed the flower as the proof. He told Vishnu that he had found the flower at the upper border of the light. He plucked it out to show it to him. Vishnu did not agree to the claim. He questioned the flower, whether Brahma was speaking the truth. The flower however said, Brahma was true.

The lie by the flower and Brahma made Lord Shiva angry and furious. Angry Lord Shiva cursed the beautiful flower as a punishment to its lie. The flower was the most beautiful flower of all the flowers that existed. However, after it was cursed by Lord Shiva, it lost all its fragrance and beauty. Since it became an ugly flower, it no longer got the same importance as it earlier did. It was no longer used as an offering during worships.

Ganesha's Intelligence

Ganesha's intelligence

On one occasion Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati were gifted a fruit by the other Gods. Both their sons, Ganesha and Karthikeya wished to have the fruit. There was just one fruit and two them wished to have it. The two did not want to have it half. So, finally Lord Shiva decided to solve the dispute by finding out who is the eldest of both. It was not about the age, but about the intelligence that the competition was based on. So Lord Shiva decided that the two would compete on a challenge. The challenge was to go around the world thrice and return back the earliest. The one who finishes the task and returns to them the fastest will win the fruit.

The race started and Karthikeya got over his peacock. Peacock was his vehicle on which Karthikeya used to roam around. He flew all around the earth. On the way he also stopped and paid his homage to the sacred spots and offered prayers for the well being of his family. However, what surprised him the most was that at every stop, he would see Ganesha far ahead of him. Karthikeya was puzzled at that.

Ganesha’s vehicle was the mouse. He very well knew that a mouse and a peacock cannot compete. The peacock would easily beat the mouse in the race. In that sense, he will never be able to win the race.

Ganesha thought for sometime and finally came up with some solution. Instead of circling the world he started walking around his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati. He completed three rounds with his hands folded. His parents were confused at the sight. They asked the reason why he was revolving around them. On this Ganesha replied that for him his parents mean the world. He need not travel around the world. Ganesha completed his revolution around his parents.

Sometime passed by, and they saw Karthikeya returning on his peacock. He managed to circle the earth on his vehicle. But, when he came back he got to know that Ganesha had already won the competition. Lord Shiva explained to him that Ganesha had won the race on the basis of his quick thinking and intelligence and not on the basis of his strength.

Karthikeya accepted his defeat and bowed in front of Ganesha was his intelligence.

The Dwarf and the Valiant

The Dwarf and the Valiant

Thousands of years ago there lived a dwarf in Bharatavarsha. He was an archer. He was going daily to gardens and plucking fruits using his arrows. He was eating them, he was a clever man. The people were calling him little archer.

One day he was going to market. He was having a big bow in his hand. Few people sitting in a cart were surprised to see a small boy carrying a big bow. “How is it possible?” they asked laughing at him. The dwarf said that he is an archer.

“Be careful, the arrow you shoot may become a boomerange” they said and went. The dwarf was in agony. “No body believes I am an archer. How do the people believe “if a dwarf handles a bow! I must deploy a tall and strong person for my help.” He felt.

Once he saw a fat person sitting preparing baskets. His name was Bhimasena.

Oh! Bhimasena! Why can’t you go to the palace and become an archer!” the dwarf asked. But I don’t know archery. How can I get there?”

“I do that job. You come with me,” the dwarf said and took Bhimasena to the palace. The bow was with Bhimasena . “O King! I am an archer. I need a job. This dwarf is my assistant. I am good archer.” Bhimasena said on directed by the dwarf.

The king employed Bhimasena. He told him to kill a wild tiger that is giving trouble to the villagers since a very long time. Bhimasena feared, but agreed.

“Bhimasena, you just ride a horse and enter the village. Tell the villagers that you have come to kill the tiger. Further they take care.” The dwarf advised.

Bhimasena rode a horse and entered the village affected by the tiger. The villagers were happy. “Oh Bhimasena! The king has sent you. We will support you. You may take a few villagers” the leaders said.

Bhimasena rode the horse. Few villagers followed him. They entered the forest. The tiger roared. All the villagers hit the tiger with long sticks. Bhimasena just watched the scene. The tiger was killed. Bhimasena brought the tiger to the palace. The king was so pleased to see the dead tiger and he gave him a golden necklace.

Bhimasena and the Dwarf lived in Varanasi together. They were peaceful. Bhimasena became popular as a hero. Few days passed. The people from the other village approached the king and told him that a bison has become harmful. The king ordered Bhimasena to go and kill the bison.

Bhimasena met the dwarf and informed him about his plight. The dwarf controlled him and asked him to repeat what he did to kill the tiger. Bhimasena did the same and with the help of the villagers killed the bison. The king was surprised. He allowed Bhimasena to reside in the palace. Bhimasena was joyful. He forgot to see the Dwarf. When the dwarf approached him, he said that he is not willing to see him. Once the Dwarf met Bhimasena in a garden. Bhimasena didn’t speak to him. Instead he lifted him up and threw.

It so happened that once enemies attacked the king of Varanasi. The king summoned Bhimasena. “O King! You need not worry. I shall hit the enemies” Bhimasena said and rode on Elephant to enter the war field. The dwarf who observed in wondered felt that Bhimasena should be taught a lesson.

In the war field he fought with the army. He told Bhimasena to get out of the war field as it is not possible for him to fight. Bhimasena fell down from the elephant and ran away.

The dwarf sitting on the elephant fought alone and drove the enemies. He asked the leader of enemies. The king got the information. He understood that the dwarf is the real hero. He welcomed dwarf and honoured him. He was given huge presents and a decent job in the palace.

Moral : Never underestimate anyone.

The Intelligent Student

The Intelligent Student

In olden days there was a centre of learning in Varanasi. There were many students. Dharmananda was the teacher. He had only one daughter. Her name was Sugunavati. She was beautiful looking girl for whom Dharmananda was searching for the right match. He preferred an intelligent student among his pupils as his son in law. But he was worried as how to judge the intelligence of his students. So he decided a plan and made a trick.

One day all the students were listening to teacher. “O my students, I wish to arrange the marriage of my daughter. But I don’t have any capacity to get her special costumes and jewels. Can anybody do that job for me,” the teacher asked. Then he continued.

Suppose any of you steal and bring then nobody should see you stealing. The students listened what their teacher said. From then onwards each one of them started bringing articles secretly and handing over them to the teacher. They were all stolen things. The teacher decided to examine them and return to the owners of those articles.

Gunasheela didn’t bring any article. He was seen depressed. Gunasheela, why did you not steal anything?” the teacher asked.

“Sir, I could have done it. But you said that nobody should see it. It was not possible. Nobody may see. But I would definitely see what I do. Is there anything more than conscience?” Gunashreela replied.

“Fine! Gunasheela! I was in search of students like you. You are intelligent. I don’t need any luxury. I just made a trick to find out the intelligent person. Stealing for a good cause is also wrong,” the teacher appreciated him.

Dharmananada ordered his pupils to return the articles to the respective owners. Sugunavati was married to Gunasheela.

Moral : Your conscience is the most important thing. You should not do anything that hurt your conscience.

A Fish and Worked Miracle

A Fish and Worked Miracle

Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born as a fish in a pond in northern India. There were many kinds of fish, big and small, living in the pond with the Bodhisattva.

There came to be a time of severe draught. The rainy season did not come as usual. The crops of men died, and many ponds, lakes and rivers dried up.

The fish and turtles dug down and buried themselves in the mud, frantically trying to keep wet and save them. The crows were pleased by all this. They stuck their beaks down into the mud, pulled up the frightened little fish, and feasted on them.

The suffering of pain and death by the other fish touched the Enlightenment Being with sadness, and filled him with pity and compassion. He realized that he was the only one who could save them. But it would take a miracle.

The truth was that he had remained innocent by never taking the life of anyone. He was determined to use the power of this wholesome truth to make rain fall from the sky, and release his relatives from their misery and death.

He pulled himself up from under the black mud. He was a big fish, and as black from the mud as, polished ebony. He opened his eyes, which sparkled like rubies, looked up to the sky, and called on the rain god Pajjunna. He exclaimed, "Oh my friend Pajjunna, god of rain, I am suffering for the sake of my relatives. Why do you withhold rain from me, who am perfectly wholesome, and make me suffer in sympathy with all these fish?"

"I was born among fish, for whom it is customary to eat other fish - even our own kind, like cannibals! But since I was born, I myself have never eaten any fish, even one as tiny as a rice grain. In fact, I have never taken life from anyone. The truthfulness of this my innocence gives me the right to say to you: Make the rains fall! Relieve the suffering of my relatives!"

He said this way one gives orders to a servant.

And he continued, commanding the mighty rain god Pajjunna: "Make rain fall from the thunderclouds! Do not allow the crows their hidden treasures! Let the crows feel the sorrow of their unwholesome actions. At the same time release me from my sorrow, which have lived in perfect wholesomeness."

After only a short pause, the sky opened up with a heavy downpour of rain, relieving many from the fear of death - fish, turtles and even humans. And when the great fish who had worked this miracle eventually died, he was reborn as he deserved.

Moral : Innocence and generosity helps relives many sufferings and pains.

The Jackal and the Lion

The Jackal and the Lion

Here is another interesting story from the collection of Jataka Tales. Once upon a time, there lived a lion in a forest. One day, when he went to drink water in a river, one of his feet got stuck into the damp mushy mud of the river. He tried a lot to get out of the mud, but to no avail. He had to lie without food for days because he didn’t find any help. On one fortunate day, a kind jackal came to drink water from the river. When he saw the lion, he went closer to the lion and said, “What is the matter? Why are you resting here?”

The lion narrated him the pathetic story. The Jackal instantly made a way out from the sand but the lion was unable to move his feet. As he was set in the same posture for last several days, his body became stiff. The jackal understood the condition of the lion and helped him to get out of the mud with an extra effort. The Lion was really thankful to jackal for his kind help. He was very happy to get free after so many days.

The Lion appreciated the effort made by the jackal. He offered the jackal to live close to him and also promised to give food to him whenever he caught food. The jackal accepted the offer and started living with the lion. Thus, they lived happily sharing the food. With the passing time, they expanded their families. The lion had cubs and the jackal had kid jackals. Both, the lion and the jackal were passing their days happily. They didn’t have any idea that their friendship was not liked by their families.

One day after a long time, the lioness, lady of the lion's house, asked her cubs that she didn’t like the amity between the jackal and her husband. The cubs conveyed the message to the kid jackals. The kids complained the matter to the lady jackal. The lady jackal conveyed the complaint to her husband.

The jackal went to the Lion and asked,” I helped you without any consideration in return. You had asked me to live with you, so I started living with you. Now, if you don’t want me to live with you, you should have told me yourself. What did you involve your wife and cubs to convey this? “. The Lion was shocked to hear such words. He said, “My dear friend, what are you saying? I don’t find any problem with you or your friendship”. He assured the jackal that he had no such ill-feelings for the friendship between them.

The Lion also assured that he would talk to the lioness and solve the whole matter. The jackal was intelligent and understood the situation. He said to the lion, “Dear friend, I know you are sincere, but our families could not exactly respond the same level of friendship. So, let us stay apart and meet often as friends. We could also hunt together. It would be better, if our families stay apart”. The Lion agreed to the proposal with a heavy heart.

The two families parted from each other as friends. The Jackal and the Lion continued to share the friendship. They often met each other and hunt together. Thus, the two friends shared a healthy friendship throughout their life.

Moral : Don’t expect the same intensity of love and friendship from others as you have for others.