The month of January is about new beginnings that bring joy and peace into our lives. It is a crucial time of the year when people gain the opportunity to leave behind all their troubles and start life anew. January is also the first month of the seven others to have a total of 31 days. Before you get on with the new year and make plans ahead, it is significant to know the important days of the current month i.e., January. The important days of January have a lot in store for you which is why in this article we will be discussing the list of important days for the month of January 2023.
So, without any delay, let’s get started!
List of Important Days in January 2023
1 January – Global Family Day
Global Family Day celebrates the unity and brotherhood between people all over the world. Irrespective of the differences in religion, culture, or language, the world is a global village where each individual is a part of the global family.
The day also promotes peace and it started with the launch of the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World by the UN General Assembly.
Two books, “One Day In Peace – January 1, 2000” (1996) and “Tree Island: A Novel for the New Millennium” (1998) by authors Steve Diamond, Robert Alan Silverstein; and Linda Grover respectively served as the inspiration behind the Global Family Day.
4 January – World Braille Day
World Braille Day is celebrated on the 4th of January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the inventor of Braille i.e., Louis Braille. Braille is a universal system of raised dots in a language that helps blind people or those having low vision read the code.
World Braille Day also reminds us that those with visual impairments must be an equal partners in enjoying human rights. Moreover, braille systems should be introduced by every country in restaurants, hospitals, banks, etc to make the blind feel all-inclusive and to make things more convenient.
An asteroid “9969 Braille” has been named after Braille which is a timeless tribute to the inventor of Braille.
6 January – World Day of War Orphans
The World Day of War Orphans is observed on 6 January to raise awareness about the orphans who have lost their parents to war.
It also highlights the need to cease their physical, emotional, and mental stress and provide them with a better future by diminishing the shadow of war that badly affects their lives.
World Day of War Orphans was created by SOS Enfants en Detresse, a French organization that aimed to relieve the war orphans lives of their suffering and to bring normalcy back to their lives.
8 January – African National Congress Foundation Day
The South African Native National Congress (SANNC) renamed the Africa National Congress (ANC) was founded on 8 January 1912 by its president John Langalibalele Dube in Bloemfontein.
The day is observed as the African National Congress Foundation Day as it marks the beginning of the exploitation and humiliation that the Africans faced at the hands of the colonizers.
On this day, Africans fought against the colonizers (British and Boer) with spears in their hands.
The main purpose behind the formation of SAANC was to uplift and unite black and mixed-race Africans against racial exclusion and discrimination.
SAANC sought to improve the socio-economic and political status of the Africans.
9 January – NRI Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Non-Resident Indian Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every two years on 9 January. This day is observed to ensure better engagement between the Indian Government and the NRIs by supporting Indian causes and working towards the welfare of the local Indian communities.
The day 9 January is chosen as on this day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from Africa in the year 1915.
The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated on 9 January 2003.
The day mainly records the contribution that NRIs make toward their nation.
The theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2022 was ‘Global Indian – Re-imagined’ and the theme of PBD for 2023 is “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
9 January – Guru Govind Singh Jayanti
Guru Govind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on 9th January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru of Nanak and the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Guru Govind Singh ji established the Khalsa which is a military group of saints -soldiers to protect the innocent from religious persecution that was carried out by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
On this occasion, historical lectures take place and prayer gatherings are held at Gurudwaras.
Special dishes, sweets, and sharbat are served during the festivities.
10 January – World Hindi Day
The first World Hindi Day was celebrated on 10 January 2006. It was a direct outcome of a follow-up committee meeting to the World Hindi Conference that was held on January 10, 1975. Therefore, World Hindi Day is celebrated in commemoration of the World Hindi Conference.
The day aims to promote the usage of the national language of India.
600 million speakers speak Hindi and the language is also the third most-spoken language in around the world according to a Forbes India report.
11 January – Death Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri
11 January is observed as the death anniversary of our favorite second Prime Minister of independent India, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
It was reported that he died in Tashkent after signing an agreement with Ayub Khan, the President of Pakistan but his death remains shrouded in mystery.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a balanced personality with competence, high integrity, and humble nature.
Lal Bahadur Shastri served as the PM of India for 19 months but his tenure of serving the country lasted 30 years right from when he played an active part in India’s struggle for freedom.
He was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna in 1966.
11 January – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Human Trafficking is about the use of force, manipulation, and threats to lure victims into trafficking situations which are obtaining labor or sex.
Victims suffer because of the sexual abuse that haunts them physically and mentally leading to sleep deprivation, isolation, and other negative consequences.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day raises awareness about trafficking which is one of the most heinous crimes in the world. It raises awareness so that solutions can be found to address and eliminate trafficking.
The steps that are taken in this direction include supporting communities helping victims, training volunteers, and organizing educational events that draw greater participation and awareness among people.
12 January – National Youth Day
National Youth day that is celebrated on 12 January every year is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the monk, social reformer, activist, and above all, the disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
National Youth Day is to disseminate the teachings and philosophies of Swami Vivekananda who has the ability to transform the world positively.
National Youth Day was announced on 12th January 1984 by the Government of India.
The observance day mainly targets the youth as they are the future of our country. National Youth day motivates them to learn and spread the ideology of Swami Vivekananda like truthfulness, purity, goodwill, etc.
13 January – Lohri Festival
Lohri festival is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in the Punjab region.
It is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti and usually falls in the month of Paush as per the Hindu or Bikrami calendar.
The festival marks the end of the winter season or the passing of the Winter Solstice (shortest day and longest night) and the beginning of the harvest season.
This is the period when the earth is closest to the sun and the festival is considered a very auspicious moment.
People gather around a traditional bonfire and offer peanuts, black sesame seeds, gur ki rewari, and makhana (fox nuts) to show gratitude and please the fire deity.
People munch on sweet delicacies together, sing popular folk songs, and dances to the beats of dhol.
14 January – Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is the period of the harvest season that is celebrated in different states of India and is also known by different names.
It marks the beginning of the Uttarayan or the time of propitiousness. During this period, the sun moves north from the southern half of the globe.
On this day, people take a dip in the holy rivers to absolve themselves of all their wrongdoings and to help attain Moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and death.
They also offer prayers and gratitude to the Sun god (Surya Devta), Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi.
People also pay tribute to things that aid in cultivating and harvesting crops like furrows, bulls, etc.
In Gujarat, we get to see the Kite Festival as part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations whereas Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
15 January – Indian Army Day
On 15 January 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of independent India from General Sir Francis Butcher who was the last commander-in-chief of British India.
It is because of the transfer of power to the hands of an Indian official is marked as the celebration of the grand Indian Army Day.
He became the Field Marshal because of his illustrious service as an army officer.
Field Marshal Cariappa played a significant role in the harmonious division of the Indian army between India and Pakistan.
Now, the post of the commander-in-chief is referred to as the Chief of the Army Staff. The incumbent Chief of the Army Chief is General Manoj Pande.
The motto of the Indian Army is “Service Before Self”.
To celebrate the occasion, a grand parade takes place at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi.
The Army Chief also presents awards to officers for distinguished service in the army.
The theme of the 75th Indian Army Day (2023) is “Donate Blood-Save Lives”.
21 January – Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya Foundation Day
Tripura and Manipur princely states merged with India in October 1949 and Meghalaya was part of Assam that later became an independent state.
With the passing of the North Eastern region (Re-organisation) Act in 1971, the three states of Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura became sovereign states.
Thus, 21 January is celebrated every year as the foundation day of the three states of India or as their Statehood Day.
23 January – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
23 January is observed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
as it commemorates the birth anniversary of the revolutionary leader and freedom fighter, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
This day is also celebrated as Parakram Diwas or Bravery Day which was announced by the Indian government ahead of Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary.
Subhas Chandra Bose was hailed as the significant and respectful “Netaji” by his Indian National Army soldiers for his untiring struggle towards liberating India from the British Raj.
He believed in the use of force to defeat injustice. This reminds us of his patriotic slogan “You give me blood I will give you freedom”.
This day is celebrated in the northeastern states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Orissa by garlanding his statue, hoisting the Indian national flag, and organizing programs in institutions and universities.
24 January – National Girl Child Day
National Girl Child Day is celebrated on 24th January to raise awareness about girls’ equal rights, health, and nutrition and to prevent exploitation and discrimination of any kind.
This day reminds each one of us that education is very important for every woman to make themselves self-resilient and independent.
It was first introduced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008.
National Girl Child Day is about providing opportunities to women and solving major issues like female foeticide, decreasing literacy rate, gender ratio, etc.
The Indian government has taken several steps to help women beat exploitation through programmes and campaigns like “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”, “CBSE Udaan Scheme, etc.
24 January – International Day of Education
International Day of Education is celebrated on 24 January every year to enforce the fundamental right to education for all.
This observance day was declared on December 3, 2018, by the UN General Assembly.
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for free and elementary education for everyone.
Quality education is important to help people get rid of poverty, bring peace, and build a progressive nation and a sustainable tomorrow.
International debates are held on this day to make education accessible to all, supporting teachers, steering digital transformation, and bringing on overall development.
25 January – National Voters Day
National Voters Day is celebrated on 25 January every year to motivate voters in India to take part in the electoral process.
The first National Voters Day was observed on January 25, 2011, which makes 2023 National Voters Day the 13th edition.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni observed that voters who have reached the age of 18 are showing no interest in participating in the electoral rolls.
As a result, a vigorous exercise was carried out to identify and encourage those attaining 18 years on January 1 each year, to take an active role in the voting process.
They were enrolled on time and the “Electoral Photo Identity Card” was handed over to them on National Voters Day every year.
25 January – National Tourism Day
National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25 January every year to spread awareness about the importance of travel and tourism.
It will be observed under the aegis of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” (launched on 12th March 2021) which celebrates India’s 75 years of independence.
Tourism is important because it boosts the economy of the country.
The different types of tourism include cultural, heritage, sports, rural, educational, nature, eco-tourism, etc.
Moreover, people understand the importance of nature by observing India’s resplendent forests, spectacular sea beaches, and lofty peaks and learns to protect them.
The theme for National Tourism Day for the year 2023 has not been decided yet.
26 January – Republic Day
Republic Day is celebrated on 26th January every year to commemorate the formation of the constitution of India that occurred on 26 January 1950.
The formation of the Indian constitution brought forth India’s independent democratic government. It was framed by the constituent assembly to govern the newly independent nation.
On this day, a massive parade takes place at Rajpath, New Delhi, also known as the Republic day Parade. Some news channels also live broadcast the parade.
The Indian national flag is hoisted by the President of India who also places a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti (war memorial) to pay tribute to soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country.
Many important awards such as Paramvir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and Vir Chakra are presented to gallantry award winners.
26 January – International Customs Day
26 January is celebrated as International Customs Day to recognize the efforts of custom officials and agencies that effectively manage world trade and focuses on the working conditions and challenges that such officials face in their working life.
International Customs Day aims to provide guidance and support to customs administrations.
International Customs Day was initiated by the WCO or World Customs Organization in 1983.
The day was initiated as International Customs Day because the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (now known as World Customs Organization) was held on this very day in 1953 in Brussels, Belgium.
28 January – Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai
28 January is celebrated as the birth anniversary of India’s freedom fighter and leader Lala Lajpat Rai.
He was one of the militants of the trinity Lal Bal Pal where Lal is Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal is Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Pal is Bipin Chandra Pal.
Lala Lajpat Rai was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1920 and actively campaigned for the Swadeshi movement. He also taught people to be self-reliant.
This day is important as it reminds us of how the Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab) has motivated people to fight against the oppressive regime of the British Raj and that his ideals should be followed for a better life and outcome.
30 January – Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas
Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas marks the death anniversary of India’s anti-colonial, political ethicist and father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He was assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948 at Gandhi Smriti in the Birla House.
Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas is also celebrated on 23 March to commemorate and pay tribute to the three unsung Indian martyrs and revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh, Sivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar who died on 23rd March 1931.
On this day, the leaders of the nation gather at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi by placing a flower garland on his statue.
Respect is also displayed through an honorable salute by the armed forces personnel and inter-services contingent.
Religious prayers or bhajans are also sung on that day. Schools often organize programs portraying the sacrifice of Bapu for the country and honoring him.
Final Thought!
The important days in January 2023 that are mentioned in this article have both listed national and international days of significance. Learning about these important days not only enhances your knowledge but also helps you celebrate the occasions, spread the ideals of great leaders, create awareness regarding important subjects, feel patriotic, and so on. Knowing about these important days helps us appreciate and understand that each day has something valuable to offer and that we too can strive to make it better.
Which important day out of this list of important days in January 2023 is your favorite and why? Share with us in the comment section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it important to know all the important days?
It is significant to know important days so that we can celebrate the occasions and the festivities, pay homage to departed souls, recall the ideals of great leaders of a country, become aware of the ills of the society and make due endeavors to eliminate the same.
What are some important days in January 2023?
Some of the important days in January 2023 are World Braille Day ( 4 January), NRI Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (9 January), Indian Army Day (15 January), National Girl Child Day (24 January), etc.
