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Important Days Current Affairs February 2nd Week 2020

National Womens Day is observed on 13 February:

National Women`s Day is observed on 13 February every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. The day was first celebrated on 13 February 2014 marks the 135th birth anniversary of late Sarojini Naidu. The day was designated to honour the work and contribution of Sarojini Naidu.

Sarojini Naidu:

♦ Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February 1879. She was nicknamed as the `Nightingale of India` because of her poems. In 1928, the British government awarded Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India. 

♦ She was the first female governor of India. She served in the United provinces (present Uttar Pradesh) from 1947-1949. She participated actively in the Indian National Movement for the independence of India. 

 

♦ Golden Threshold, The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death, and the Spring, Feast of Youth, The Magic Tree, The Wizard Mask, Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity, The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan, The Indian Weavers are the literary works of Sarojini Naidu. She died on 2 March 1949 due to a heart attack.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed on 11 February:

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed on 11 February. The day aims to achieve the empowerment of women and girls and promote the participation of women and girls in science. According to the UN, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Only around 30% of all female students select Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related fields in higher education. The day aims to achieve international development goals including 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). 

Theme:

The theme for the year 2020 is `Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth`. The theme aims to encourage and motivate girls and women to opt for science.

History:

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day was implemented by UNESCO and UN Women. UNESCO`s global priority is gender equality. It provides support to young girls in their education and provides them an opportunity. UNGA aimed to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. It also aims to achieve gender equality and promote science.

World Pulses Day is observed on 10 February:

World Pulses Day is observed on 10 February. The day aims to create public awareness of the nutritional benefits of eating pulses.

Pulses:

Pulses (legumes) are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food. Lentils, peas and dried beans are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses has the nitrogen-fixing properties which will improve the soil fertility. It increases and extends the productivity of the farmland. farmers can promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity by using pulses for intercropping and cover crops.

Pulses also play a role in climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil. Greenhouse gases (GHG) are released during the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers, and their overuse can be detrimental to the environment.

History:

On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution to proclaim the year 2016 as the "International Year of Pulses (IYP)". The day aimed to recognize the value of pulses. In 2019, the UNGA proclaimed 10 February as the World Pulses Day. The day aims to increase the public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.

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