World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November

 The Universal/World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November annually to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. 2021 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Universal/World Children’s Day 2021 Theme: A Better Future for Every Child

History of the day:

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year. In 1959, UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

November 15 declared as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

 On November 10, 2021, Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved declaration of November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Key Points

• The day was declared as a part of year-long celebration of 75 years of India’s independence, in a bid to commemorate brave tribal freedom fighters.
• November 15 also marks the birth anniversary date of Birsa Munda who is considered as God by tribal communities across India.
• Birsa Munda had made significant contributions in India’s Independence by fighting against exploitative system of British colonial system.
• He belonged to the Munda tribe and spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement in late 19th century across the tribal belt of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand.

The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas will be observed to commemorate tribal freedom fighters. It will make the coming generations aware of sacrifices made by tribal freedom fighters during India’s independence movement. The day will be celebrated every year to recognize the efforts made by tribals in preserving cultural heritage and promoting Indian values of national pride & hospitality.

Significance of the Day

The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas will acknowledge the cultural heritage and glorious history of tribal communities.

How this day will be celebrated?

• To mark this day, Indian government will launch a week-long celebration to commemorate 75 years of history of tribal people. It will start from November 15 and will conclude on November 22, 2021.
• Central and State government will organize several activities as a part of celebration.
• The theme of each activity will showcase achievements of tribals in Indian Freedom Struggle.
• Government will undertake several initiatives in health, education, skill development, livelihood, and infrastructure.

October 27: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021

 The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed on October 27, every year.

World day for Audiovisual Heritage

• Audio-visual Heritage Day is observed with the aim of raising general awareness among people related to the need of taking urgent measures.
• The day also acknowledges the significance of audio-visual documents.
• It also brings the priceless heritage of these documents to notice, telling the stories of lives & cultures from across the world.
• The day also sensitize people across the world for conserving and safeguarding valuable audio-visual resources for future generations.

Why this day is significant?

The world, particularly the younger generation, is going digital in every significant aspect of life. Thus, this is significant as it reminds that even though we are moving forward, it is important to carry heritage so that it does not get lost. It encourages the preservation of work of professionals against the range of political, technical, social, financial, and other factors that threatens the safeguards of audio-visual heritage.

Theme of the day

The Audio-visual Heritage Day 2021 was observed under the theme “Your Window to the World”. The theme highlights that, audio-visual sources provide a window in the form of documentary heritage objects, to the world.

History of the day

This day was adopted by the 21st General Conference  of the recommendations, in the year 1980, in a bid to safeguard and preserve the moving images. The day was declared by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization) on October 27, 2005.

World Food Day celebrated on October 16

 World Food Day is observed every year on October 16. Year 2021 marked the 76^th World Food Day.

Key facts

• This day makes human realise how privileged are they to gorge on the delicacies from across the world as well as raises awareness regarding deprived & not-so-privileged people.
• It acknowledges the founding of Food and Agriculture organisation as well as highlights the section in the world that starves from extreme hunger.
• United Nations had found the ‘Food and Agriculture Association (FAO)’ on October 16, 1945.

Significance of the day

Starvation is a big problem in several countries, especially in underdeveloped parts of the globe. Thus, awareness is required to address this issue. World Food Day helps in addressing the issue.

World Food Day: History

World Food Day was set up by Member Countries of Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It was established at the 20th General Conference of FAO in November 1979. Hungarian Delegation, led by former Hungarian Minister of Agriculture & Food Dr. Pal Romany, played a significant role at the 20th Session and recommended the idea of celebrating this day across the world. It has since been observed in more than 150 countries, every year. It raises awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger.

Theme of the day

This day in 2021 was celebrated under the theme- “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”.

Purpose of the day

The main purpose to celebrate this day is to promote the message that “food is a basic and fundamental human right. It also spread awareness on malnutrition and obesity.

World Intellectual Property Day: April 26

 Every year, the World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26. The day is celebrated to highlight the importance of Intellectual Property. The day is celebrated by the World International Property and several other international organisations.

This year, the World Intellectual Property Day is being celebrated under the following theme:

Theme: IP and SMEs: Taking your ideas to market

World Intellectual Property Day

The day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 2000. It aims to increase awareness on how copyright, patents, designs and trademarks impact on daily life.

Why April 26?

April 26 was chosen to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day as “Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation” entered into force.

Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day was proposed by China.

World Intellectual Property Organisation

The WIPO was established in 1967. It entered into force in 1970. It is one of the fifteen specialized agencies of the United Nations. The organisation administers 26 international treaties that ranges between protection of broadcast and establishing international patent classification.

India is a member of WIPO. India is also a member of the following WIPO administered international treaties:

• Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities.
• Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol
• Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms
• Washington Treaty on Intellectual Property in respect of Integrated Circuits
• Patent Cooperation Treaty
• Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks- Madrid Protocol
• Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
• Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization
• Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure

World Book and Copyright Day: April 23

 Every year the World Book and Copyrights Day is celebrated on April 23 by UNESCO. UNESCO is United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. This year, to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO has created “Bookface Challenge”.

About World Book and Copyrights Day

The first World Book and Copyrights Day was celebrated in 1995. The UNESCO Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded on this day. Also, the day will increase the understanding of copyright laws and other measures that protect intellectual properties.

Why on April 23?

The UNESCO decided to celebrate the World Book and Copyrights Day on April 23 as it is the death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilasco de la Vega.

World Book Day in different regions

• In Catalonia (Spain), the World Book Day is celebrated as St George’s Day since 1436. On this day, people exchange gifts between loved ones. Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain.
• In Spain, the World Book Day is being celebrated since 1926 on October 7. This is because Miguel de Cervantes was born on October 7.
• In Sweden, the World Book Day is called the Varldsbokdagen. It is celebrated on April 13.
• In UK and Ireland, they organise an event called the “World Book Night” to celebrate the World Book Day.
• The World Book Day is celebrated as a street festival in the US.

World Book Capital

Every year UNESCO and other international organisations select World Book Capital for a one-year capital. This year Tbilisi of Georgia has been selected as the World Book Capital.

World Earth Day: April 22

 

Background

In 1969, the Peace Activist John McConnell proposed to celebrate World Earth Day to honour the earth. It was first proposed to be celebrated on March 21, 1970, which is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.

Paris Agreement

On the World Earth Day, in 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by China, United States and other 120 countries.

World Earth Day, 2021

This year, US President Joe Biden has invited leaders of forty top economies of the world including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jing Ping to the Leader’s Summit on Climate. The virtual meet is to be held on World Earth Day.

This year, in 2021, the World Earth Day is celebrated under the following the theme:

Theme: Restore our Earth

About World Earth Day

The World Earth Day celebrations are organised by Earth Society Foundation. It was founded by John McConnel.

Equinox Earth Day

Every year, the Equinox Earth Day is celebrated on March 20 (or 21). It marks the arrival of spring in the Northern hemisphere and autumn in southern hemisphere. It is also called the Equinoctial Earth Day. The first Equinox Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.

Japanese Peace Bell and Earth Day

The Peace Bell is rung twice or thrice a year. Once during the celebrations of World Earth Day that falls on April 22.

It is also rung on Equinox Earth Day. The Japanese Peace Bell was donated to the United Nations by Japan.

World Health Day: April 7

 Every year the World Health Day is celebrated by the World Health Organization on April 7. This year, the World Health Day is celebrated under the following theme

Theme: Building a fairer, healthier World for everyone

World Health Day

• The World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 as the World Health Organisation held its first World Health Assembly on April 7, 1948.
• The World Health day is seen as an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year.
• The first World Health Day was observed in 1950.
• The World Health Day is one of the eleven official global health campaigns of WHO.

Global Health Campaigns of WHO

The eleven Global Health Campaigns of WHO are as follows:

• World Tuberculosis Day
• World Malaria Day
• World Immunization Day
• World No Tobacco Day
• World Blood Donor Day
• World AIDS Day
• World Chagas Disease Day
• World Hepatitis Day
• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
• World Patient Safety Day

World Health Assembly

• The World Health Assembly is governed by 194 member states. It is composed of health ministers from the member states and is the highest health policy setting body in the world.
• The World Health Organization is governed through the World Health Assembly.
• The current chairperson of World Health Assembly is Dr Harsh Vardhan. He is the Minister of Health and Family Welfare in India.
• The main tasks of World Health Assembly are to decide major policy question and approve WHO work programme and budget.

Major Action plans of World Health Assembly

• The worldwide eradication of smallpox was endorsed in 1959 and achieved in 1980.
• Worldwide eradication of polio was endorsed in 1988. India has been declared polio free under the action plan.
• Control of harmful use of alcohol was endorsed in 2010.
• Global Actions for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases was endorsed in 2011

March 8: International Women’s Day

 The International Women’s Day is being celebrated across the world on March 8, 2021. This day is observed on March 8 every year in order to help in shaping a gender equal world. The day is being observed this year under the theme– Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.

Significance of the day

The day is observed in order to celebrate the achievements of women. It also highlights the increasing visibility of women in every sphere of life. The day celebrates the political, cultural, economic and social achievements of women. It also marks the extraordinary roles played by women in every walk of life besides celebrating the acts of courage and determination of the ordinary women.

Background

The celebration of this day is a focal point in movement of rights of the women. The first ever women’s day was celebrated on February 28, 1908 by the Socialist Party of America. Following this, the German delegates including Kate Duncker, Clara Zetkin and Paula Thiede proposed for the organise a special Women’s day at the International Socialist Women’s Conference of 1910. In the year 1917, the women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia following which March 8 became a national holiday in Soviet Russia. United Nations started celebrating it in the year 1977.

Celebration of the day

The Women’s Day is celebrated by observing a public holiday in some nations while it is also a day of protest in some nations. In India the government have dedicated several schemes and policies that mark the glory of women. The government of India has accorded high priority on the empowerment of women and started several initiatives such as access to education, improved gender sensitivity and better healthcare.

On National Science Day, here’s all about Raman Effect or Raman Scattering

 The discovery was significant in the field of physics as it gave proof of the quantum nature of light. It revolutionised multiple different domains of science and still forms the basis of varied applications in these fields. Every year India observes National Science Day on February 28 to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. It was on this day that the announcement regarding the discovery was made and which led to winning the Nobel Prize in physics. The Indian government also honoured Raman with the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.

Various programs are organised across the country to mark the National Science Day celebrations and motivate the students to opt for science as their career. Department of Science and Technology (DST also started the National Awards for Science Popularisation in February 1987 to recognise contribution in science through awards. The awards are given out on National Science Day under six categories.

This year, the government has decided "Future of STI: Impacts on Education, Skills, and Work" as the theme of this year's celebration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke about the scientist in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat and advised the youth of the country to read more about Indian scientists. "Today is National Science Day. It is dedicated to the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' by scientist Dr CV Raman. Our youth should read a lot about Indian scientists and understand the history of Indian science."

What is the 'Raman Effect’?

Raman Effect, also known as Raman Scattering, is the change in the wavelength of light that occurs when it is deflected by molecules. A light beam traversing through a transparent sample of a chemical compound sees a small fraction of the light emerging in a different direction to that of the incoming beam. A small part of that light has a differing wavelength from the incident light. This is because of the phenomenon known as Raman Effect.

The discovery was significant in the field of physics as it gave proof of the quantum nature of light. It revolutionised multiple different domains of science and still forms the basis of varied applications in these fields.

Source: HIndustan Times, 28/02/21

World Hindi Day 2021: Here are the top universities across the world that offer Hindi courses

 World Hindi Day 2021: World Hindi Day 2021: World Hindi Day is celebrated every year on January 10. Hindi is not only the country’s most-spoken language, but it is the third most-spoken language in the world with 615 million speakers after English, Mandarin, according to the UN.

Being one of the most popular languages in the world, there is a huge interest among students from across the world to pursue a career in Hindi language

Here’s the list of foreign varsities which offers courses in Hindi

University of Washington: The Department of Asian Languages and Literature of the University of Washington offers both graduate and undergraduate programmes in Hindi. The department offers BA, MA, and PhD degrees in South Asian languages, which covers Hindi, Sanskrit, Chinese, Korean and Japanese as well.

The BA programme in South Asian Language comprises intermediate, advanced Hindi, and Sanskrit courses. According to the varsity, the course will broadly cover topics on derivational morphology of Hindi, a survey of modern Hindi literature – short stories, poetry, novels, drama, advanced conversational Hindi, advanced Hindi readings, studies in medieval Braj literature, studies in medieval avadhi literature, studies in medieval sant literature, studies in medieval Rajasthani literature, the structure of Hindi. The courses have a total of 15 credits.The university offers programmes in Hindi- BA in South Asian languages, BA in Asian languages and cultures, minor in South Asian languages, minor in Asian languages and cultures, MA and Ph.D. with specialisation in South Asian languages. The varsity is yet to open the admission process this year.

University of Chicago: The Department of South Asian Languages and Civilisations of the varsity offers first, second, third/fourth-year programmes on Hindi. Apart from it, its BA programme in Humanities Collegiate Division will offer a student to study any of the South Asian languages- Bangla (Bengali), Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan, or Urdu for a year.

The varsity also offers content courses on aspects of Hindi literary culture for advanced students. The varsity is now inviting applications for various postgraduate programmes- Visual Arts, Classics, English, Germanic Studies, others. For further details, candidates can check the varsity website — salc.uchicago.edu.

University of London: The School of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics of the varsity offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Hindi. The varsity’s UG programme covers chapters on Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu languages. The postgraduate (MA) programme on South Asian studies and intensive language covers Hindi, Urdu, and Sanskrit languages.

According to the varsity, “In their first year, students take 30 credits of intensive language instruction in Hindi, Sanskrit or Urdu, and 60 credits in the disciplines and 15 credits open option.” The course fee is £20,930 for overseas students, Rs 20,85,191 for Indian students. The application process is open till June 30, 2021 at soas.ac.uk.

Cornell University: The Department of Asian Studies, Cornell University offers three levels of instruction in Hindi language. The first level is for beginners, while others are for experienced. There is also a placement cell for Hindi learners where students with prior exposure to the Hindi language can take the placement exam.

Besides, the varsity’s undergraduate programme in Asian Studies covers topics on South Asian Poetry and Narrative: From Ghazals to Film. The varsity also offers a fellowship programme in Hindi, Bengali and Tamil. For further details on courses, the candidates can check- asianstudies.cornell.edu.

Source: Indian Express, 10/01/21

National Consumer Rights Day: December 24

 Every year, the National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on December 24 in India. The World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15.

The National Consumer Day is celebrated through out India to protect the interests of the consumers. This year, the National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated under the following theme

Theme: The Sustainable Consumer

Why on December 24?

The National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on December 24 as the Consumer Protection Act was enacted on this day in 1986.

Consumer Protection Act

The act recognises six rights of the consumers. They are Right of Choice, Right of Redressal, Right of Hearing, Right of Education, Right to Protection and Right of Information.

• The right to Protection is the right to be protected against marketing of goods and services that are hazardous to life and property.
• The Right to Information is being informed about quality, quantity, potency, purity, price of goods and standard.
• Right of Hearing is that the consumer should be heard and assured that consumer interests shall receive due consideration at appropriate terms.
• The Right of Redressal is seeking redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. According to the act, speedy and simple redressal to consumers is to be set up at district, state and central level.
• Right to Information is the right to learn about competitive prices of goods and services.

Central Consumer Protection Authority

The Central Consumer Protection Authority was established under the Consumer Protection Act. It was established under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The authority is empowered to investigate on matters that are related to violations of consumer rights. It will mainly ensure if the goods and services being offered are in accordance to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.It has powers to withdraw services that are unsafe, dangerous and hazardous to consumer, pass an order to refund prices of goods or services and discontinuation of practices that are unfair.

UNICEF Day: December 11

 Every year, UNICEF Day is observed on December 11 by the United Nations. The UNICEF day is celebrated on December 11 because the United Nations General Assembly created UNICEF on December 11, 1946. UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children Emergency Fund. It was started in order to provide assistance, supplies and improve health, education, nutrition of children after World War II.

Background

The organisation was originally named UNICEF, that is, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. However, in 1953 the words International and emergency were removed from its name by the United Nations. But still the acronym continued to exist.

UN adopted Declaration of the Rights of Child on November 20, 1959. It also adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989 and is guided by this convention. Due to these reasons November 20 is observed as Universal Children’s Day or World Children’s Day. The day is celebrated by UNICEF in order to promote international togetherness and awareness in child development.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories. It aims to save lives of children, defend their rights and help them fulfil their potential.

It was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1965. The work of UNICEF includes child Protection, child environment, child development and nutrition, education, polio eradication, children and age, reproductive and Child Health, advocacy and partnership, emergency preparedness and response, etc.

Report prepared by UNICEF

The UNICEF releases the State of World Children Report. According to the state of world children report, 2019, at least one in three children under five is overweight or undernourished. The report also says that at least one in two children suffer from hidden hunger. The three main concerns that threaten the survival and growth of children are undernutrition, overweight and hidden hunger. They are called the triple burden of malnutrition.

The major causes of triple burden of malnutrition are globalisation, in equities, urbanization, humanitarian crisis and climate shocks.

Human Rights Day: December 10

 Every year Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. It is also called the International Human Rights Day. The day was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations Prize in the field of Human Rights is awarded on the Human Rights Day. This year, the Human Rights Day was celebrated under the following theme

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948. The Allies of World War II formally known as the United Nations adopted four freedoms namely freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from want and freedom from fear. They created the Charter of United Nations based on the faith in fundamental human rights. Therefore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is important and so is the Human Rights Day. This is because it forms one of the bases of the United Nations.

United Nations Human Rights Council

It is a United Nations body that protects and promotes human rights. It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in the United Nations. The council has 47 seats. The term of each seat is three years. No member of the council can occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms.

Why is Human Rights Day celebrated?

It is celebrated all over the world to achieve real rights for human beings. It aims to improve socio-cultural and physical well being of the people throughout the world. The day is celebrated for the following reasons
• To create awareness about human rights among people in the world
• The improve the efforts of the United Nations General Assembly
• To interact and discuss crucial issues of human rights.
• To motivate minorities, women, poor and disabled person to participate in the event.

Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the celebration of World Wildlife Day 2017 under the theme "Listen to the young voices"
3 March 2017

The stakes are higher every day.
Crimes against wildlife have been increasing over the past years, fuelled by conflicts and the trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products. The impact is devastating on the populations of both iconic and lesser-known species. Despite a range of decisions and actions, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Natural World Heritage sites have not been safe from these crimes.
This calls for a new commitment by everyone to prevent these crimes and promote justice. Young women and men have a special role to play here, as change-makers today and future custodians. We must listen to them and nurture their engagement, to craft new forms of action to conserve and protect wildlife on the basis of solidarity.
This is the meaning of the 2017 World Wildlife Day, under the theme of “Listen to Young Voices.” We must support young people in connecting the ‘local’ and the ‘global’ for more effective wildlife conservation. This has never been so important at a time when Governments are working all-out to take forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement, to build a world that is more resilient, inclusive and sustainable and to forge new ties of harmony between development and the planet.
For this, we need young voices. We need young people to speak out, to join hands and to collaborate in shaping new paths to sustainable development in ways that conserve wildlife and protect the shared wealth of biodiversity. This is UNESCO’s message today.

Irina Bokova

DG/ME/ID/2017/11 – Original: English

Message from Ms Irina Bokova,
Director-General of UNESCO,
on the occasion of International Youth Day
12 August 2015

International Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the creative force and the innovative impetus that young people bring to every society. This year’s theme – “Youth Civic Engagement” – emphasizes the role played by the involvement and inclusion of young people in building social cohesion and collective well-being. From social entrepreneurs to journalists, from voluntary workers to members of community organizations, young people contribute to shaping society to lead it towards political, cultural and economic renewal.
We must support their civic engagement at every level, beginning with recognizing that young people form a separate social group with specific characteristics and expectations. Civic engagement is a way to exploit this potential to enrich society, further human rights and enable improved living conditions for all.
These goals are at the core of UNESCO’s projects, to offer young people the space and skills they need to develop, which reflects on all societies.
That is the spirit of UNESCO’s project to strengthen youth networks in the Mediterranean. Young people must be considered the drivers of change, and not only beneficiaries or targets. That involves reinforcing exchanges and cooperation between generations to ensure that young people are actually involved in developing the policies intended for them. The ninth UNESCO Youth Forum, held in October, will provide a unique platform to convey this message, and I invite young people from all over the world to attend and make their voices heard, to shape the action of world leaders. These voices carry the hope of half of the planet, for a sustainable future for all.
Irina Bokova

June 21: Universities to observe International Yoga Day

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day, an official statement said has said. Secretary Jaspal S. Sandhu, in a letter dated April 17, said the idea of declaring an International Yoga Day was formally proposed by the prime minister in his maiden address to the 69th UN General Assembly on September 27. In a letter was shared on the UGC website.

The secretary added that the government has decided to give ‘practical effect’ to the resolution by ensuring that the first International Yoga Day is “commemorated in a befitting manner”.

“You are, therefore, requested to kindly observe International Day of Yoga on 21st June, 2015 in your esteemed university and colleges affiliated to your university,” the letter said. “You may also ensure that the promotional films and other Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material on yoga should be distributed,” it added.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last year to observe International Yoga Day on June 21 every year.

UN may declare yoga Indian heritage

Kounteya Sinha

London





Unesco Head Says Panel Studying Proposal; Could Be 33rd Desi Item On List

Yoga may soon be declared an intangible cultural heritage of India.In an exclusive interview to TOI, a day before her first bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris, Unesco director general Irina Bokova said that yoga is in the list of elements to be considered by the Intangible Heritage Committee for inscription on Unesco's register.
Modi was instrumental in getting the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day endorsed by 175 out of 193 members and is expected to unveil a portal on yoga in France on April 10.
Bokova told TOI “a lot of my friends have benefitted immensely both spiritually and physically by practising yoga in difficult times. It is a unique living tradition of India. Unesco's general conference in October will also look to endorse the international yoga day as spearheaded by prime minster Modi“.
According to Bokova who is the first woman to lead UNESCO and is now serving her second term, yoga will come up for inscription in front of the intergovernmental com mittee for safe guarding intangible cultural heritage in 2016.
“It is multifaceted philosophy and tradition that unifies mind body and soul. I have read a lot about yoga and tried it too. I know that PM Modi practises yoga regularly ,“ Bokova added.
If selected, yoga will become the 31st intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far with Unesco.
The permanent delegation of India to Unesco recently began yoga classes for all ambassadors, delegations and secretariat at Unesco.
The Indian misson said “Yoga is practiced by 250 million worldwide, including the three million in France.This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were written down in the Yoga Sutra of Pa tanjali in 200 AD“.
The Buddhist chanting of Ladakh -recitation of sacred Buddhist texts was inscribed in 2012 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity . In 2013, Sankirtana -the ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur was inscribed while in 2014, it was the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab. The famous Chhau dance was inscribed in 2010 on the list.
Modi's 3-nation trip to bolster India's `Link West' diplomacy: Chinese daily
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to France, Germany and Canada this month is part of New Delhi's efforts to bolster its `Link West' policy, a leading English daily of China stated on Thursday. “In an effort to bolster his `Link West' diplomacy, Indian PM Narendra Modi kicks off his maiden visit to Europe on Thursday since assuming office in May last year, with stops at France and Germany before he travels to Canada,“ the Global Timessaid in an op-ed piece. IANS

World Wetlands Day is being observed on 2 February

Every year World wetland day (WWD) is observed on 2 February.

The theme for the world wetland day 2015 is Wetlands for our future.

Significance of Day

• This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands also called as Ramsar Convention on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
• Each year on this day government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), and groups of citizens at all levels of the community raise public awareness of wetland values and their benefits. They also spread awareness about Ramsar Convention in particular.

Background

For first time, WWD was celebrated in year 1997 and since then it is observed every year. The theme for the world wetland day 2014 was Wetlands and Agriculture.

Some facts

• Currently there are 2,186 wetlands of international importance sites under the Ramsar Convention known as Ramsar Sites covering around 208,449,277 hectares km².
• The maximum Ramsar sites are located in UK i.e. 168.
• The largest area covered by the Ramsar sites is in Canada.
• The number of parties to the Ramsar Convention is 168.
• Ramsar Sites in India are 26 (as of September 2012).

Dec 12 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

UN declares June 21 as Int'l Day of Yoga

United Nations: PTI





Less than three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea, the UN general assembly on Thursday adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as ‘International Day of Yoga’, recognizing that “Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being”.The resolution on ‘International Day of Yoga’ was introduced by India’s Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji on Thursday and had 177 nations joining as co-sponsors, the highest number ever for any general assembly resolution.
It is also for the first time that such an initiative has been proposed and implemented by any country in the UN body in less than 90 days.