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04 October 2020 –

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Mahatma Gandh

World Animal Welfare Day is totally dedicated to the animals. The occasion celebrates animal life in all its forms. First started in 1931 at a convention of ecologist in Florence, Italy, the purpose of World Animal Day was to highlight the predicament faced by endangered species. Slowly, the idea grew in scope and later on included all forms of animal life. World Animal Day is celebrated in every corner of the world. October 4 is a significant day as it also marks the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

World Animal Day celebrates relationship between humankind and animal kingdom. Animals play a diverse array of role in our lives. They not just enrich our lives with their support and companionship; they also make us better human beings. It is a historical journey travelled together by humans and animals. The day gives us a reason to be part of something special.

The best part about World Animal day is that it is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology. This festival is for those who care for animals and also for those who should care for these wonderful creations. Several organizations, animal welfare groups, schools, individuals, charitable trusts and clubs etc participate in Animal day celebration. With every passing year, number of events taking place on this day has increased substantially. The purpose is to ensure our active contributions in saving endangered species and care for all other kinds of animals. The occasion provides us a reason to unite the animal welfare movement all across the globe.

Animal welfare campaigns are launched on World Animal Day. Rescue shelters for the animals are opened in different parts of the world. Fund raising events are also organized. Schools and different groups arrange information displays. Voluntary organizations come forward to sponsor shelter to the animals.

02 October 2020 –

“We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world.” – Lal Bahadur Shastri

Shastri Jayanti’ is celebrated on 2nd October every year. It is the birthday of Lal Bahadur Shastri. Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October, 1904 at Mughal Sarai, Uttar Pradesh, India. His father’s name was Sharda Prasad, who was a school teacher and later became a clerk in the Revenue Office at Allahabad. His mother’s name was Ramdulari Devi. He was hardly a year old when he lost his father. After the death of his father, his mother took him and his two sisters to her parent’s house.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was educated at Mughalsarai and Varanasi. He graduated with a first-class degree from the Kashi Vidyapeeth. He was given the title ‘Shastri’. He offered Satyagraha and was sentenced to imprisonment at different times. He joined the Indian independence movement in the 1921. He was deeply impressed and influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Lastly, India became independent on 15th August, 1947. He became the second Prime Minister of India after Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Lal Bahadur Shastri showed rare quality of courage and determination during India-Pakistan war. He gave a slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kissan’. He was the first person to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, A memorial ‘Vijay Ghat’ was built for him in Delhi. Shastri was known for his honesty and humility throughout his life. He died on 11th Jan, 1966 at Tashkent, USSR. Lal Bahadur Shastri was truly a great man who gave less importance to himself.

02 October 2020 –

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Jayanti is one of the three National events having the greatest importance in the life of every Indian. Commemorating Mahatma Gandhi and his contributions are what every Indian does on the day. Everybody knows him as the Father of the Nation, but it was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who first used this word on the death of the Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Gandhi Ji was born on 2nd October 1869, and since then, he was a great leader and beloved to everyone, the nation marks his birth anniversary as Gandhi Jayanti every year. Gandhi had a strong faith in Truth and Non-Violence. Not only Indians but also foreigners find him motivational that is why United National General Assembly announced in 2007 that the 2nd October would be ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ onwards.

The President and Prime Minister of India celebrate this day by visiting Raj-Ghat in New Delhi which is the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi. They then do prayers there along with other political leaders of India. Since Gandhi Ji respected all the religions in India that is why people of different religions gather at Raj-Ghat and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. On Gandhi Jayanti, we get the best opportunity to tell the world what Mahatma Gandhi had done for the nation and why we should celebrate this fortunate occasion.

01 October 2020 –

“Donate your blood for a reason, let the reason to be life.”

Observation of National Voluntary Blood Donation Day in our country started on 1st October 1975, under the initiative of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology (established on 22nd October 1971) with the guidance of Mrs.K.Swaroop Krishen( a well known social worker in the field of voluntary blood donation movement in India) and Dr.J.G.Jolly, the then in charge of Blood Bank, P.G.I. Chandigarh. Since then, the 1st October of each year is being observed throughout the country as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day. In the year 1996, National Aids Control Organisation came forward to support the observation.

The main objectives of observing this day are:-

1. To increase awareness among the peoples of this Country, the importance of voluntary blood donation.

2. To achieve 100% Voluntary Blood Donation, so as to be able to give the safest blood to the needy patients.

3. To have enough blood stock in our blood banks for any eventuality.

4. To give our thanks and reinforce the self esteem of those who donate blood voluntarily, so that they continue to do so regularly.

5. To inspire those who had not donated blood but are in good health, to start donating blood.

6. To inspire those donors who donate blood only for their relatives or friends, to donate voluntarily.

It is well known that transfusion of blood or its components is one of the very important components of the modern health care system. Many surgical and medical conditions require transfusion of blood and its components during the treatment process. Morerover in cases of mass casualties, blood transfusion playes a vital role in the life saving process. But this vital fluid called blood cannot be manufactured in factories, and someone has to donate. A healthy person within the age of 18 to 65 years, having a minimum weight of 45kg and haemoglobin 12.5 gm% can donate blood in every three month, four times a year. Blood donors are classified as voluntary and replacement. Voluntary donors are those who donate blood by his or her own will and without getting any cash or kind for donating blood and their main aim is to save a life. Replacement donors donate blood only when one of his or her relatives or friends need blood transfusion. Previously there were another type of donors known as professional or paid donors. As their blood is not considered safe for transfusion, the supreme court of this country has banned them from donating blood since 1st January 1998.

Though blood transfusion has saved many lives, this vital fluid also carries the risks of transmitting diseases. It is therefore mandatory to test every unit of blood collected for the presence or absence of five disease markers ( Transfusion transmitted infections) i.e. Human immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, syphilis and malaria. If one of the tests is positive the blood unit must be discarded. No blood or its components can be issued without testing the above five disease markers. But in the disease process there is a certain period known as the window period, and during this period the disease cannot be detected by the test done. Advanced testing facility like nucleic acid testing can only shorten the detection during the window period.

29 September 2020 –

“A healthy heart for a healthy lifestyle”

In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accountable for nearly half of all NCD deaths making it the world’s number one killer. World Heart Day is, therefore, the perfect platform for the CVD community to unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden.

Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day informs people around the globe that CVD, including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 17.9 million lives each year, and highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. It aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided.

World Heart Day is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities, and governments around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. Through this campaign, the World Heart Federation unites people from all countries and backgrounds in the fight against the CVD burden and inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world. We believe in a world where heart health for everyone is a fundamental human right and a crucial element of global health justice because we believe every heartbeat matters.

27 September 2020 –

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.

In 2005, the United Nations launched the Water for Life Decade to help create a greater awareness of the need to better care for our water resources. Following this, the establishment of World Rivers Day was in response to a proposal initiated by internationally renowned river advocate, Mark Angelo.

The proposal for a global event to celebrate rivers was based on the success of BC Rivers Day, which Mark Angelo had founded and led in western Canada since 1980. A World Rivers Day event was seen by agencies of the UN as a good fit for the aims of the Water for Life Decade and the proposal was approved. River enthusiasts from around the world came together to organize the inaugural WRD event. That first event in 2005 was a great success and Rivers Day was celebrated across dozens of countries. Since then, the event has continued to grow. It is annually celebrated on the last Sunday of every September. Last year, several million people across more than 60 countries celebrated the many values of our waterways.

22 September – 2020

September 22 is observed as World Rose Day, for bringing happiness in the lives of people around the world who are fighting with cancer. It’s also a day to spread awareness about the disease. On World Rose Day, hand-made roses, cards and gifts are offered to cancer patients. Special events are organised to give strength to those suffering from cancer. Rose, a symbol of love, tenderness and concern, is offered to cancer patients to give them strength as they face the cancer battle.

World Rose Day is observed in the memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose from Canada who was diagnosed with Askin’s Tumour, a rare form of blood cancer.

Melinda Rose small life touched the lives of many. She, till her last breath, did not give up hope of survival. In the last six months of her life, she continued to fight and made each day count by touching the lives of those around her in a positive way

21 September – 2020

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security and very way of life. COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic. While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time.

For the United Nations, 2020 was already meant to be a year of listening and learning. To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN has invited millions of people worldwide to join UN75, the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that we want.

As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, your voice is more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together.” Celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together.

16 September – 2020

World Ozone Day is important because it is a day that is used for spreading awareness regarding the Ozone Layer’s depletion, as well as the search for solutions in order to preserve it. The ozone layer is a piece of the atmosphere that has high ozone concentrations. Ozone is a gas that is made of three oxygen atoms O3. Depending on where the ozone layer is, it can either harm life or protect life on Earth. Most of the ozone stays within the stratosphere whereby it acts as a shield, protecting the surface of the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. If this shield was to weaken, we would all be more susceptible to impaired immune systems, cataracts, and skin cancer. The ozone can be a harmful pollutant that causes damages to plants and lung tissue if it is closer to the Earth than the troposphere, though, which is an atmospheric layer from the surface up to approximately ten km. This shows why the ozone layer is so important, and it is critical to manage it effectively.

There is a hole in the ozone layer that enables big quantities of ultraviolet light to enter and it is situated on the poles, which is on the Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic continent, being especially big throughout the spring of both hemispheres, causing extended summer seasons. The hole in the ozone layer is harmful. Despite the fact that it is caused because of natural fluctuations, it can also be caused by activities that we all engage in as humans, which emit gases that end up in the stratosphere, degrading the ozone molecules, as well as enhancing the impact and size of the hole in the ozone layer. This is a health issue and environmental problem, as excess solar radiation is a threat to any type of life.

Did you know that there are a number of different things that we can do in order to protect the ozone layer? Some examples include minimizing the use of vehicles. The best transport option is walking or taking a bicycle. If you need to use a vehicle to get to a destination, why not try to carpool with other people in order to lower the use of cars to save money and pollute less? You can also avoid the use of cleaning items that are harmful to both, us and the environment. A lot of people do not realize that a lot of the cleaning products in the market today contain substances that are corrosive and solvents too, yet these dangerous substances can be replaced with products that are not toxic, such as bicarbonate or vinegar.

There are a number of other things that you can do in order to protect the ozone layer. This includes buying local products. By doing this, you not only get fresh produce but you are going to make sure that you do not consume food that has traveled a long distance. After all, the greater distance that it has traveled, the more nitrous oxide is produced because of the medium that is used for transporting the product. You should also try to stop consuming gases that are dangerous to the ozone layer because of their manufacturing process or content.

You may think that one person cannot make a difference, but they can. If one person does something, and then another, and so on, it will all add together to make a big change!

15 September 2020 –

“Democracy is showing greater strain at any time in decades. That is why this International Day should make us look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers for the systemic challenges it faces.” — United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres

The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of people and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
The values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage are essential elements of democracy. In turn, democracy provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.
At each of the key moments that have marked contemporary history, UNESCO has supported the peaceful development of societies by contributing to the construction and consolidation of democracy, and the development of democratic institutions, especially in times of transition.
Since its foundation, the Organization seeks to promote the aspirations of all people, especially young women and men, to strive for the realization of shared universal values, such as tolerance, pluralism, the respect of human rights, freedom and dialogue.