HISTORY

Important Days

World Animal Welfare Day – October 4

- Every year World Animal Day is observed globally on October 4 with an aim to celebrate animal rights and welfare around the world.
- Theme 2023 – “Great or Small, Love Them All”.
- World Animal Day has been marked since 1925.
According to World Animal Protection, it was started by Heinrich Zimmermann, a cynologist, who organised the first celebration at the Sports Palace in Berlin, which was reportedly attended by over 5,000 people.

World Space Week – October 04 to 10

By the resolution of General Assembly on 6 December 1999, proclaimed World Space Week, to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
Theme 2023 – “Space and Entrepreneurship”

Background

On 4 October 1957, the launch into outer space of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, opened the way for space exploration.
A decade later, on 10 October 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies entered into force.

Awards & Honours

Nobel Prize for Physics 2023

Award winning Scientists – Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier
Contribution – “experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”
Prize Amount – The prize was raised this year to 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1 million)
Awarded by – The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

About Nobel Prize

Created in the will of dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel, the prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace have been awarded since 1901, becoming the arguably highest honour for scientists everywhere.

Note

Physics is the second Nobel to be awarded this week after Hungarian scientist Katalin Kariko and U.S. colleague Drew Weissman won the medicine prize for making mRNA molecule discoveries that paved the way for COVID-19 vaccines.

Appointments – Who is who?

Captain Bana Singh – Ambassador for ‘War Against Waste’ in J&K

The Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has nominated Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardee Captain Bana Singh as the ambassador for the “War Against Waste”, initiative to takle sanitation challenges in rural areas of J&K.

Note

The “War Against Waste” campaign attempts to resolve waste management and environmental conservation challenges in rural J&K.
It is the part of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023) campaign.

About Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023)

The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS 2023) campaign was celebrated from 15th September to 2nd October 2023 under the joint aegis of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA).
Theme of SHS-2023 – ‘Garbage Free India’ with a focus on visual cleanliness and the welfare of Safai Mitras (sanitation Workers).
The campaign aims to mass movement through community participation to reinforce the concept of Sanitation as everyone’s business.
It also was part of Swachh Bharat Diwas (2nd October) with nationwide participation.

About Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)