• The Vice-President of India lauded the power of literacy during the International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 celebrations in New Delhi. The National Education Policy 2020 was praised for empowering youth and recognising linguistic diversity; coupled with the launch of ULLAS DTH Channel to reach remote learners. The roots of ILD are traced to a 1965 conference in Tehran, Iran with the date being officially recognised by UNESCO in 1967. The 2024 theme was "Promoting multilingual education Literacy for mutual understanding and peace," and Indian literacy initiatives such as the New India Literacy Programme, Saakshar Bharat, and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan were highlighted.



  • Hindi Diwas was celebrated in India on 14th September 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of Hindi as the official language. The Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation released a commemorative postage stamp to commemorate this milestone. The Constituent Assembly designated Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union of India on this date in 1949, a decision stemming from the Munshi-Ayyangar formula. Despite some protests, English was also upheld as an official language alongside Hindi following the Official Languages Act of 1963.



  • World Coconut Day (WCD) is celebrated every year on September 2nd to highlight the significance and diverse uses of coconuts. Established by the International Coconut Community (ICC), WCD was first observed in 2009. The ICC represents 21 coconut-producing countries and was formerly known as the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community. The theme for WCD 2024 is "Coconut for a Circular Economy Building Partnership for Maximum Value." Coconuts are beneficial for cardiovascular health, red blood cell production, and offer antioxidant protection. They are extensively cultivated in India, with Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu being the top producing states.



  • India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) observed its 7th Foundation Day on 1st September 2024, recognised for significantly advancing financial inclusion across India since its national launch in 2018. The bank has accumulated over 9.88 crore customer accounts and over 12 lakh merchants. It has also successfully dispersed over ₹45,000 crore in Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) under various government schemes, facilitated mobile number updates for Aadhaar cards for over 7.10 crore customers, and enabled Digital Life Certificate services for over 20 lakh pensioners.



  • Teachers' Day was celebrated in India on 5th September 2024 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The President of India confers the National Teachers’ Award on this day to honour and recognise teachers' contributions. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a notable philosopher, Vice-Chancellor at several universities, first Vice-President and the second President of India. He played a significant role in strengthening the understanding of Hinduism globally and received numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna and a knighthood from King George V.



  • The 'International Day of Democracy' is an annual event observed on September 15, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to underline the worldwide importance of democracy. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Democracy, passed in Geneva on September 15, 1997. It asserts that democracy allows people to freely determine their own political, social and cultural systems and stresses the necessity of their full participation in representative government. Karnataka recently celebrated this day by forming a 2,500-km long human chain symbolising equality, unity, and participative governance. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), founded in 1889 in Paris to promote democracy and world peace, comprises 179 member parliaments and 13 associate members.



  • The 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Amardas Ji, the third Sikh Guru, was recently commemorated. The Sikh guru, born in 1479, was appointed at the age of 73 and institutionalised the 'Guru ka Langar' (communal kitchen), divided the Sikh community into 22 administrative districts, and abolished social injustices including Sati and Purdah. His interaction with Emperor Akbar abolished the toll-tax for non-Muslims. Additionally, he composed 869 verses, constructed a Baoli at Goindwal Sahib, a significant Sikh pilgrimage site, and passed away on 1st September 1574. His legacy continues to inspire the Sikh community today.



  • World Rhino Day is observed annually on September 22nd with the aim to raise awareness about the five endangered rhino species – Javan, Sumatran, Black, Greater One-Horned, and White rhinos. The 2024's theme 'Keep the Five Alive' emphasised the vital importance of preserving all species. Historical records reveal Mughal Emperor Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur hunted rhinoceros in the northern regions of current India and Pakistan, marked in his autobiography, Baburnama. On this day in 2024, the Prime Minister reiterated the commitment to rhino conservation.



  • The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is annually observed on 23rd September, as decreed by the 2017 UN General Assembly Resolution. The 2024 theme, Sign Up for Sign Language Rights, supports advocacy for sign language rights. The day commemorates the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951, which champions deaf individuals' rights globally. The UN's 2006 Convention acknowledging sign languages as equal to spoken languages was promptly endorsed by India in 2007, where the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) observes IDSL celebrations.