1. World Water Week - 20 to 24 August
Tags: Important Days
World Water Week, a global event organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute since 1991, will take place at the Waterfront Congress Center from 20 to 24 August.
An Overview of the News
This non-profit event serves as a platform to address the global water crisis and various related challenges.
It aims to develop solutions to the international water crisis (along with many other problems).
Water, an important natural resource, plays an important role in our daily activities like drinking and cleaning. Therefore its conservation is very important.
The theme for World Water Week 2023 is "Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World," The theme encourages a re-evaluation of water management practices and emphasizes the need for new ideas, innovations, and effective governance systems in the face of increasing water scarcity, and instability around the world.
History of World Water Week
World Water Week is a recurring global event that has taken place every year since its inception in 1991.
The event is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a non-profit organization committed to advocating for sustainable water solutions.
The first World Water Week was held in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The theme of the opening ceremony was "Water: An Imminent Crisis."
The event brought together water experts and professionals from around the world to discuss and address challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.
Since its inception, World Water Week has been held continuously in Stockholm.
The event serves as an important platform for international stakeholders to engage in discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts to tackle various water-related issues.
2. Muslim Women's Rights Day - 1 August
Tags: Important Days
Muslim Women's Rights Day is observed annually on 1 August to mark the second anniversary of the enactment of the law against triple talaq.
An Overview of the News
A law against triple talaq was introduced by the central government of India on August 1, 2019, making the practice a criminal offence.
The legislation is a part of the Protection of Rights on Marriage Act 2019, which outlaws instant triple talaq and protects the marriage rights of Muslim women.
By celebrating Muslim Women's Rights Day, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs highlights the importance of protecting the rights of Muslim women and promotes awareness about the impact of the law.
History of Muslim Women's Rights Day
The Supreme Court in August 2017 declared the practice of triple talaq, a form of divorce based on the husband saying talaq three times in succession, as 'unconstitutional'.
In response to the Supreme Court ruling and the triple talaq cases in India, the government introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in Parliament in December 2017.
The bill was initially passed by the Lok Sabha, but faced opposition in the Rajya Sabha, due to which it stalled.
The bill was reintroduced and successfully passed by both the Houses of Parliament in July 2019.
The bill got assent from President Ram Nath Kovind and officially became a law.
The law outlaws instant triple talaq, punishes three years' imprisonment for violations, and imposes a fine on the violator.
Muslim Women's Rights Day is observed on 1 August to mark the passage of the Triple Talaq Bill in Parliament on 1 August 2019.
The cases of 'Shah Bano Begum and others v. Mohd. Ahmed Khan' and 'Shayra Bano v. Union of India and others' laid the foundation for this move.
Shayra Banu in her writ petition sought the Supreme Court to declare the practices of Talaq-e-bidat, polygamy and nikah-halala as unconstitutional.
3. World Breastfeeding Week 2023: Advocating for maternity rights and breastfeeding at the workplace!
Tags: Important Days
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from 1st August to 7th August to promote regular breastfeeding for infants, as it plays an important role in their healthy development.
An Overview of the News
Breast milk is considered the best food for newborns because of its many benefits, including the presence of antibodies that help protect babies from various common childhood diseases.
Despite its importance, current data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that less than half of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed.
The WBW campaign is strongly supported by WHO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and civil society partners, which aims to improve child health and survival through breastfeeding.
In 2018, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution endorsing World Breastfeeding Week as an important health promotion strategy, recognizing its importance in maternal and child health.
Theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2023:
The theme for this year's World Breastfeeding Week is "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" The focus is on advocating for essential maternity rights that support breastfeeding, including a minimum of 18 weeks of maternity leave, ideally extended over 6 months, and workplace accommodations to facilitate breastfeeding beyond this period.
History of World Breastfeeding Week
It was established in 1992 under the initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).
This annual week-long event is held in honour of the 1990 Innocence Proclamation.
The Innocenti Declaration resulted from a policymakers' meeting on the topic "Breastfeeding in the 1990s: A Global Initiative".
The meeting was co-sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).
The event took place from 30 July to 1 August 1990 at the Spedale degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy.
The primary objective of World Breastfeeding Week is to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of babies and mothers around the world.
4. International Tiger Day - 29 July
Tags: Important Days
International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29th July with the primary objective of raising awareness about tiger conservation globally and working towards saving this endangered species.
An Overview of the News
World Tiger Day originated in 2010 in Petersburg, Russia, when representatives from 13 tiger range countries came together to support the Tx2 strategy. The global objective of this strategy was to double the population of wild tigers by 2022.
On the occasion of Global Tiger Day celebrated in Corbett Tiger Reserve on 29 July 2023, Union Minister of State Ashwini Kumar Choubey released a comprehensive report related to tiger conservation.
The tiger population in India is about 3925, showing an annual growth rate of 6.1 percent.
Among Indian states, Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of tigers, with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
Within tiger reserves, Corbett boasts of the highest tiger abundance with 260 tigers, followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135), Dudhwa (135), Mudumalai (114), Kanha (105) , and Kaziranga ( 104).
The data used for these calculations was collected by the Wildlife Institute of India from both camera-trapped and non-camera-trapped areas, with an estimated upper limit of 3925 tigers and an average of 3682 tigers.
In April 2023, during the celebration of 50 years of Project Tiger in Mysore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a minimum tiger population target of 3167 tigers. The project was started in 1973 with only 268 tigers.
5. World Ranger Day - 31 July
Tags: Important Days
World Ranger Day is observed annually on 31 July as a day to honour and appreciate courageous individuals committed to wildlife conservation and natural resource conservation.
An Overview of the News
The day acknowledges the selfless efforts of rangers around the world, who work tirelessly to protect fragile ecosystems and endangered species, which deserve the utmost respect and appreciation.
The theme for World Ranger Day 2023 is "30 by 30", focusing on the momentum for the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). The theme highlights the goal of protecting and effectively managing at least 30 percent of the planet's areas by 2030, stressing the urgent need for increased conservation efforts to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
History of World Ranger Day
It originates from the International Ranger Federation (IRF), an organisation formed in 1992 to advocate for and assist park rangers globally.
World Ranger Day was inaugurated in 2007, dedicated to the memory of eight rangers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Over the years, World Ranger Day has gained wide recognition as an annual event to honour and appreciate the invaluable contribution made by rangers.
The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the various challenges and risks that rangers face during their important work of protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
6. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons - 30 July
Tags: Important Days
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an annual event observed on 30 July every year.
An Overview of the News
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons aims to raise awareness and prevent the widespread issue of people trafficking and modern slavery, which affects many countries around the world.
The focus of the 2023 campaign, based on the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, is to highlight developments and trends related to trafficking. It aims to urge governments, law enforcement, public services and civil society to evaluate and strengthen their efforts in prevention, victim assistance and ending impunity.
Theme:
The theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 is "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind."
It stresses the need to support and protect all victims, while ensuring that no one is overlooked or neglected in the fight against trafficking.
Importance
Human trafficking involves the exploitation of men, women and children, forcing them into labor or sex work. UNODC data showed that since 2003 there have been approximately 225,000 trafficking victims worldwide.
Globally, there has been a significant increase in the detection and conviction of traffickers. This increase may be attributed to improved methods of victim identification and/or to an actual increase in the number of persons being trafficked.
History of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly approved a Global Action Plan aimed at combating trafficking in persons worldwide. The plan called for collaborative efforts between governments to combat this harmful phenomenon.
Based on the Global Action Plan, the United Nations General Assembly organised a high-level meeting in 2013 to advance the fight against human trafficking. During this meeting, the Member States unanimously adopted resolution A/RES/68/192.
The resolution passed in 2013 officially designated July 30 as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The purpose of this annual celebration is to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking victims and to emphasise the importance of protecting and promoting their rights.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons aims to integrate the fight against trafficking into wider United Nations initiatives, contribute to global development and enhance security around the world.
7. National Mango Day - 22 July
Tags: Important Days
National Mango Day is celebrated every year on 22 July.
An Overview of the News
The history of the International Mango Festival can be traced back to 1987 when the National Horticulture Board of India came up with the idea of celebrating the mango fruit.
Mango cultivation in India dates back more than 5,000 years and has an important place in Indian folklore, with legends linking it to Lord Buddha.
The English and Spanish name "mango" has its roots in the Malayan word "manna", which was transformed into "manga" by the Portuguese during their spice trade ventures in Kerala in the 1490s.
Around 300 - 400 AD mango seeds were carried by humans from Asia to various parts of the world including the Middle East, East Africa and South America.
In India, mangoes are a symbol of love and friendship, and various parts of the mango tree, including the leaves, bark, skin, kernels, and flesh, have been used in folk remedies for centuries.
Mangoes belong to the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes cashews and pistachios.
8. World Brain Day - 22 July
Tags: Important Days
World Brain Day, also known as International Brain Day, is an annual health care event observed around the world on 22 July.
An Overview of the News
The event has been happening for the past nine years and is dedicated to raising awareness about brain diseases.
Theme of 2023: The theme for World Brain Day 2023 is "Brain health and disability: leaving no one behind." This global initiative focuses on bridging the knowledge gap and raising awareness of brain health disorders.
Objective: The main goal is to advocate for improved health care, education and research related to neurological disorders with a special emphasis on providing high quality health care to persons with disabilities.
History of World Brain Day
The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was established on July 22, 1957, which serves as an important organisation in the field of neurology.
During the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) Council of Delegates meeting on September 22, 2013, the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee presented a proposal to celebrate July 22 as "World Brain Day".
Recognizing the importance of raising awareness of brain health and neurological disorders, theWFN's Board of Trustees approved the concept during its meeting held in February 2014.
Since its inception, "World Brain Day" has served as a platform to educate the public, health care professionals, and policy makers about neurological issues, research advances, and the importance of brain health globally.
About World Federation of Neurology
Establishment - July 1957
Headquarters Location - London, United Kingdom
President -Prof. Wolfgang Griswold
9. World Snake Day: 16 July
Tags: Important Days
World Snake Day was celebrated on 16 July 2023 at the National Zoological Park, (Delhi Zoo) in New Delhi.
An Overview of the news:
- The purpose of celebrating World Snake Day is to protect snakes by raising awareness about the snakes of India, mistrust about snakes and the importance of snakes in our ecology.
- On this occasion, the snake rearing staff conducted the enrichment activity by providing cage furniture in the reptile house. Along with this, tree plantation was also done inside the snake houses.
- After Mission Life with about 350 visitors and young children at the Reptile House talks about snakes and healthy living.
- Reptile House Walk was organized on this occasion.
- Presently 31 snakes of 07 species are present in the National Zoological Park.
National Parks of India:
- There are currently 106 national parks in India.
- The largest national park in India is the Hemis National Park (Ladakh).
- The smallest national park in India is South Button National Park (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
- The first national park of India is Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), which was established in 1936.
- Cheetah was introduced to Kuno National Park in India for the first time after independence.
- The maximum number of tigers in India is located in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Karnataka.
- The maximum number of 11 national parks in India is in the state of Madhya Pradesh, where there are a total of 11 national parks.
10. World International Justice Day - July 17
Tags: Important Days
An Overview of the News
The day focuses on promoting international criminal justice and advocating for the rights of victims.
History:
It commemorates the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC is tasked with protecting individuals from heinous crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.
Mission:
The primary mission of the ICC is to ensure justice and accountability for these heinous crimes, thus contributing to global peace, security and prosperity.
Global participation: People around the world come together on this day to support justice, raise awareness of international criminal justice, and cooperate in preventing future crimes.
Advocacy for Victims: The day serves as a platform to advocate for the rights of victims and to emphasise their importance in the pursuit of justice.
Prevention of crimes: Through collective efforts, the day encourages initiatives and actions aimed at preventing crimes that threaten global peace and security.
Unity for Justice: It symbolises the promotion of unity, international cooperation and collaboration among nations and individuals in the pursuit of justice.
