Daily Current Affairs of 21st February 2018
International Current Affairs
- Today (21st February) is International Mother Language Day.
- This day is observed to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
- First announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.
- February 21 was specifically chosen to mark the day in 1952 when students demonstrated for recognition of their language, Bangla as a national language in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
- Theme of International Mother Language Day 2018 : "Linguistic diversity and multilingualism count for sustainable development".
National Current Affairs
- Kerala has made vaccination compulsory for school admissions from next academic year onwards.
- Parents will have to show details of shots given to children at the time of enrolment in schools.
- Following a Supreme Court directive, the Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a tribunal to resolve the dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on sharing water from the Mahanadi river.
- In 2016, Odisha had moved the SC against Chhattisgarh building dams on the river alleging that it was affecting the river flow and water supply to its farmers.