Sadbhavana Diwas and Akshay Urja Diwas Observed on 20 August

20 August 2026National

Sadbhavana Diwas is observed every year on 20 August to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, born 20 August 1944 — the name translates to 'goodwill and harmony', promoting national integration and resolving differences through dialogue rather than violence. The same date also marks Akshay Urja Diwas (Indian Renewable Energy Day), building awareness of clean energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower and encouraging their wider adoption.

Static GK

Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944 and was assassinated on 21 May 1991 | 'Sadbhavana' translates to goodwill/harmony | Akshay Urja Diwas promotes renewable/non-conventional energy awareness

ShareWhatsApp Telegram

More Awards Current Affairs

Police Commemoration Day Observed on 21 October in Memory of the 1959 Hot Springs Ambush in Ladakh

Police Commemoration Day was observed across India on 21 October 2026 in memory of police personnel who died in the line of duty. The day marks the 1959 Hot Springs incident in Ladakh, when a Central Reserve Police Force patrol was ambushed by Chinese troops; ten CRPF personnel were killed and seven taken prisoner. The National Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 October 2018, hosts the national ceremony, where the names of police personnel who died during the preceding year are read out. The same date is also observed as Azad Hind Government Foundation Day.

GK ByteThe CRPF was raised in 1939 as the Crown Representative's Police and is India's largest central armed police force, headquartered in New Delhi | The National Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri has a 30-foot black granite central sculpture and a Wall of Valour | Police is a State subject under Entry 2 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution

📅 21 Oct 2026AwardsRead complete →

World Osteoporosis Day Observed on 20 October 2026 with the Campaign 'Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life'

World Osteoporosis Day was observed on 20 October 2026 under the campaign 'Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life', led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). The day was first marked on 20 October 1996 by the UK's National Osteoporosis Society with the European Commission; the IOF has organised it since 1997, and the WHO co-sponsored it in 1998 and 1999. About one in three women and one in five men aged over 50 suffer an osteoporotic fracture, yet only around 20% are diagnosed or treated. The observance closes Bone and Joint Action Week, held from 12 to 20 October.

GK ByteThe International Osteoporosis Foundation is headquartered at Nyon, Switzerland | Bone and Joint Action Week runs from 12 to 20 October and includes World Arthritis Day (12 October), World Spine Day (16 October) and World Trauma Day (17 October) | Osteoporosis is assessed by bone mineral density measured through a DEXA scan and reported as a T-score

📅 20 Oct 2026AwardsRead complete →

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Observed on 17 October 2026 Under 'Safe Homes for All'

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was marked worldwide on 17 October 2026, the 34th UN-recognised observance since 1993. The 2026 commemoration carried the focus 'Safe Homes for All' within the three-year 2026-2028 theme 'United for Peace and Human Rights', with the UN ceremony held at its New York headquarters. The day was proclaimed by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/196 of 1992 and traces back to 17 October 1987, when Father Joseph Wresinski gathered over 100,000 people at the Trocadero in Paris. It falls a day after World Food Day, observed on 16 October.

GK ByteSustainable Development Goal 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030 | The global Multidimensional Poverty Index is published jointly by UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, while NITI Aayog publishes India's National MPI | World Food Day is observed on 16 October, marking the founding of the FAO in 1945

📅 17 Oct 2026AwardsRead complete →

World Food Day Observed on 16 October 2026 with the Theme 'Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow'

World Food Day was observed worldwide on 16 October 2026 under the theme 'Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.', spotlighting innovation's role in transforming agrifood systems. The day marks the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization on 16 October 1945, making 2026 its 81st anniversary; the day itself has been observed since 1981. The main ceremony was held in the Plenary Hall at FAO headquarters in Rome, where Director-General QU Dongyu was joined by the heads of the UN's Rome-based agencies, with special messages from Pope Leo XIV and the UN Secretary-General, and the presentation of the FAO Achievement Award.

GK ByteThe FAO is headquartered in Rome, Italy; the other UN Rome-based agencies are the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development | FAO flagship reports include SOFI (food security and nutrition) and SOFIA (fisheries and aquaculture) | SDG 2, Zero Hunger, targets ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030

📅 16 Oct 2026AwardsRead complete →

See all Important Days →All Current Affairs