The International Volunteer Day (IVD) was observed across the world on 5 December 2016 with the theme Global Applause– give volunteers a hand.
●    This year's theme recognizes the volunteers worldwide and their efforts in making peace and sustainable development a reality.
●    To mark International Volunteer Day, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme released the data showing the increase in keyboard volunteers that is online volunteers. By volunteering online, volunteers work for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations.
●    The Day was designated in 1985 by the United Nations as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism.
●    It is seen as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies and the government authorities.
●    The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development by promoting the recognition of volunteers and working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2016 was observed across the world on 3 December 2016.
●    In 2016, the goal of the IDPD is assessing the current status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and SDGs. 
●    The observance of the 2016 International Day of Persons with Disabilities coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD. 
●    The CRPD is one of the most quickly and widely ratified international treaties put forth by the United Nations till now.
●    About International Day of Persons with Disabilities
●    The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.
●    The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of specially-abled persons.
●    The Day also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
●    Until 2007, it was originally called the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju will be the chief guest of this year’s Navy Day function at the Ramakrishna Beach here on December 4.
●    The Eastern Naval Command is celebrating the Navy Day on December 4 every year to mark the deadly attack by its missile boats on the Karachi harbour on this day in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. 
●    The operational demonstration of capability and versatility of Naval ships, aircraft and the Special Forces is the event people of Visakhapatnam and neighbouring areas look forward to every year.
●    The Navy Day starts with paying homage to the Services personnel who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 war with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral H.C.S. Bisht and dignitaries laying wreaths at the War Memorial in the beach road.
●    The much awaited operational display will be held in the evening. Twenty-four ships like destroyers, Corvettes, fast attack craft and landing ships and 17 naval aircraft will participate in the show.

The National Pollution Control Day 2016 was observed on 2 December 2016 in India with an aim to make aware the people and industries about the need of Pollution Control Acts.
●    This day is observed every year to give honour to thousands of human beings who lost their lives in 1984 due to the Bhopal gas tragedy in Bhopal.
●    This catastrophe was the worst in the world's industrial history and people there still continue to witness physical and mental disabilities. 
●    Bhopal gas tragedy happened in the night of 2 December to 3 December 1984 due to the discharge of the poisonous chemical Methyl Isocyanate and other chemicals that released from Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
●    Due to leakage, more than 500000 people were exposed to the poisonous gas of MIC and around 2259 died immediately. 
●    Later, it was declared by Madhya Pradesh government around 25000 people died because of the gas-related diseases.

The World AIDS Day was on 1 December 2016 observed across the world with the theme Hands up for #HIVprevention.
●    The campaign explores different aspects of HIV prevention and how they relate to specific groups of people, such as adolescent girls and young women, key populations and people living with HIV.
●    The idea to observe World Aids Day was conceived in 1987 by James Bunn and Thomas Netter, who are the public information officers for the Global Programme on Aids at the World Health Organisation.
●    First World AIDS Day was held in 1988 and is the first ever global health day.
●    On the 2016 World AIDS Day, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) hosted a special event on 30 November 2016 to commemorate the day and to reinforce the commitment to move forward together to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2016 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed across the world on 25 November 2016. 
●    The theme for the day is “Orange the World - raise funds to end violence against women”.
●    The colour orange in the theme symbolizes a better future without the pervasive human rights violation that affects 1 in 3 women and girls all over the globe.
●    The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for women community.
●    The United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women through a resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999.
●    Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981.
●    On 20 December 1993, the General Assembly, by resolution 48/104, adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The United Nations’ (UN) World Television Day was observed in countries across the world on 21 November 2016. The day is aimed at recognizing the important role television plays in presenting issues that affect people globally.
●    It is also meant to honor the role Television plays as the pillar of freedom of expression and as a promoter of cultural diversity. 
●    On 17 December 1996, during the United Nations General Assembly , it was decided that 21 November will be globally observed as World Television Day to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in the same year. 
●    The universal body, UN then invited all its member states to observe the day by encouraging a global exchange of television programs focusing on global issues like peace, security, cultural exchange and economic and social development.
●    UN also acknowledged Television as one of the most influential forms of media for communication and broadcast of information and also as an important medium for imparting education to people across the globe.

Universal Children’s Day was observed across the globe on 20 November 2016. 
●    The day is observed with an aim to promote the ideals and objectives of the United Nation’s Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
●    20 November is the day when UNGA adopted the declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. 
●    On 14 December 1954, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recommended all countries should institute a Universal Children’s Day, which will be observed as a day of the worldwide fraternity to understand children.
●    20 November also marks the day on which, in 1989, the UNGA adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  
●    The Convention that ratified international human rights treaty also sets out a number of rights for children. 
●    These children rights include the right to life, to education, to health, to play, the right to family life as well as to be protected from violence, and not to be discriminated, and to have their views heard.

The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will be observed on 31st October, 2016 with ‘Integration of India’ as the theme. On this occasion various activities are being organised across ministries/departments all over the country.
●    The Government had decided to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day) on 31st October every year. 
●    On the occasion, floral tributes will be paid to Sardar Patel across the country. 
●    It will be followed by ‘Run for Unity’ involving people from all sections of society to be organised from the National Stadium to the C-hexagon of India Gate.
●    A Run for Unity will also be organised at the State/District Headquarters involving people from all sections of society. 
●    Ministry of Human Resource Development will organise an essay competition and special programs in schools across the country.

The first National Ayurveda Day was observed on 28 October on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti. 
●    The theme for this year is ‘Ayurveda for Prevention and Control of Diabetes‘. 
●    Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing.  
●    It has been incorporated in Atharva Veda, the last of the four Vedas. 
●    To celebrate this day, the Union Ministry of AYUSH had organized a day-long national seminar on Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda in New Delhi. 
●    Besides, the Ministry also had launched Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda on the occasion. 
●    The Mission Madhumeha will be implemented throughout the country through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.
●    The national treatment Protocol was also released on occasion of National Seminar.