1. International Yoga Day
Tags: Important Days
The 8th edition of International Day of Yoga is being celebrated on 21 June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads a mass yoga demonstration in Mysore, Karnataka.
Yoga demonstrations are being organized at 75 iconic places across the country.
The theme of 2022 International Day of Yoga is - ‘Yoga for Humanity’.
International Yoga Day has been celebrated every year on 21st June since 2015.
It is celebrated every year to spread awareness about the invaluable benefits of Yoga.
Every year on this day, people gather at a place and perform yoga together.
Yoga is believed to have originated in India thousands of years ago and is also mentioned in ancient mythological books like Rigveda.
History of the day
The concept of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by India’s Prime Minister Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014.
177 member countries of UNGA supported PM Modi's suggestion to celebrate 21 June as International Yoga Day.
On 11 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly announced that 21 June would be observed as International Day of Yoga or World Yoga Day.
Why is June 21 celebrated as Yoga Day
June 21, also known as summer solstice, is the longest day of the year.
On June 21, the sun rises a little early and sets late.
This was the reason that it was decided that International Yoga Day would be celebrated on this day.
What is Yoga?
It is essentially a spiritual discipline based on a very subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body.
It is the art and science of living a healthy life.
The word 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'.
Significance of Yoga Day
PM Modi during his speech at UNGA said, "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition.
It symbolizes unity of mind and body, thought and action, moderation and fulfilment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being.
It is not about exercise but about discovering a sense of oneness with oneself, the world and nature.
By changing one's lifestyle and creating consciousness, yoga can help people's well-being.
2. World Refugee Day
Tags: Important Days
World Refugee Day is observed annually on 20 June to honour refugees around the world.
World Refugee Day was designated by the United Nations as an International Day.
World Refugee Day was celebrated for the first time on 20 June 2001.
Governments around the world are made to realise their duties on this date to protect and support refugees.
While the theme of World Refugee Day 2022 has not been rolled out, last year's theme is "Together We Heal, Learn and Shine."
Statistics on refugees
According to UN figures, 20 people are forced to flee their homes every 1 minute to avoid terror, war and conflict.
As of the end of 2019, there are an estimated 79.5 million people who are forcibly displaced in the world.
As of 2019, according to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), 68% of the refugees in the world are Syria (6.6 million refugees), Venezuela (3.7 million refugees), Afghanistan (2.7 million), South Sudan (2.2 million) and Myanmar (1.1 million) countries.
As of 2019, out of a total of 79.5 million refugees worldwide, 26 million are under the age of 18.
3. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought -2022
Tags: Important Days
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17 June.
The day focuses on converting poor land into healthy or fertile soil to combat desertification.
The desertification of land is mainly caused by human activities and climate change.
This is due to dry land ecosystems that are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate use of land.
The day highlights the need for an early measure to avoid any disastrous consequences for humanity and the planetary ecosystem.
Theme of 2022 - Rising up from drought together.
History and Significance of the day
In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 17 June as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
Since then, the United Nations, NGOs and various countries have been organizing events to spread awareness to combat desertification and drought.
The purpose of this day is to convert degraded land into healthy land.
To combat this threat, groups and communities are working together to convert arid, semi-arid and arid wetlands into fertile soils.
4. International Family Remittance Day
Tags: Important Days
Every year, International Family Remittance Day is observed by the United Nations on 16 June.
The day is celebrated to honour the efforts of expatriates living abroad and to help improve the lives of their family members in their home country.
The first International Family Remittance Day was observed in 2015.
The day encourages the public sector and the private sector to formulate policies for the betterment of migrants and encourage remittances.
The theme of this year's International Family Remittance Day is 'Recovery and Resilience through Digital and Financial Inclusion'.
What is Remittance?
Remittance is money that is sent to another party (usually from one country to another). The sender is usually an immigrant and the recipient belongs to a community/family.
In other words, remittance or remittance refers to the income sent by migrant workers to their native community/family in the form of money or kind.
India is the largest recipient of remittances or remittances in the world.
5. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Tags: Important Days
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed every year on 15 June.
The aim of the day is to draw attention to the impact of elder abuse.
The day promotes awareness of abuse (verbal, physical or emotional) of the elderly population around the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in six people over the age of 60 suffer from abuse.
This means around 141 million people are affected globally.
This year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be remembered with two important events.
Beginning of the United Nations Decade for Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).
The 20th Milestone of the Second World Assembly on Aging and the Fourth Review and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging (MIPAA).
History and significance of the day
The day began to be observed in June 2006 following a request to declare June 15 as a special day for the elderly.
The day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2011.
6. World Blood Donor Day
Tags: Important Days
World Blood Donor Day is also celebrated every year on 14th June to thank voluntary blood donors for their life saving gifts.
History of the day
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who was born on 14 June 1868.
In the year 2004, WHO celebrated World Blood Donor Day for the first time, to encourage people of all countries to donate blood to save lives.
The theme of this year's World Blood Donor Day is "Donating blood is an act of solidarity, so be a part of the effort and save lives".
Blood related information
During 1900-1901, Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group of human blood and the Rh factor, an important element found in blood.
Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer.
The highest amount of iron or iron metal is found in the blood.
The pH value of human blood is 7.4.
The blood group O is called "Universal Blood Donor".
Blood group AB: is "Universal Blood Recipient".
Blood is a type of "liquid connective tissue".
Blood is present in the body in the amount of 07 percent of the total weight of the human body.
Antibody is not found in blood group AB.
Both antibodies are found in blood group O.
7. International Albinism Awareness Day 2022
Tags: Important Days
13th June is International Albinism Awareness Day.
The day is celebrated to create awareness among people about the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism and the rights of people with albinism.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness among people about the rights of people suffering from albinism.
What is Albinism?
It is a congenital disorder that occurs in humans due to the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, eyes and hair.
This disease is caused by a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, which makes a person sensitive to the sun and bright light.
People with albinism can be visually impaired and have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Theme of 2022
The theme for the year 2022 is "United in Making Our Voice Heard".
History of the day
In the mid-2000s, there were reports of violent attacks and murders on people with albinism in Tanzania.
The belief behind the attacks that people with albinism possessed magical powers resulted in the deaths of 70 people in 2015.
Because of this, the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs came together to advocate for the rights of people with albinism.
The United Nations Human Rights Council took the initiative to stop attacks and discrimination against people with albinism on December 18, 2014.
The Council decided to observe International Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June every year.
International Albinism Awareness Day was first observed in 2015.
8. World Day Against Child Labour 2022
Tags: Important Days
World Day Against Child Labour, also known as Anti Child Labour Day, is observed on 12th June every year.
The day aims to raise awareness about the exploitation of children engaged in child labour.
It aims to bring together governments and civil society organizations to combat child labour.
The day also focuses on what more needs to be done to eliminate child labour.
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is celebrating Elimination of Child Labour Week in honour of World Day Against Child Labour in 75 places from 12 June.
Theme of the year 2022 -
"Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour".
The theme of the day focuses on increasing investment in social security schemes and systems to develop sound social security mechanisms to protect against child labour.
A total of 160 million children are still engaged in child labour, some of whom are under the age of five.
History of the day
The International Labor Organization (ILO) started celebrating World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 with the aim of highlighting the plight of children who are victims of child labour.
The day serves as a catalyst to take forward the global movement against child labour.
The eradication of Child Labour is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (Target 8.7).
Constitutional Provisions
According to Article 21(A) and Article 45 of the constitution children of the age six to 14 years have the Right to Education.
As per provision of Article 24, a child below the age of 14 years cannot be employed in any mine, factory or hazardous workplace.
Significance of the day
The day focuses on providing dignity to the lives of children affected by child labor and ensuring support for their education, medical services and other needs.
Many campaigns and seminars are organized on this day.
9. World Oceans Day
Tags: Important Days
World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on 8 June to raise global awareness about the important role of oceans in human life and the efforts required to conserve them.
Purpose of the day
The main purpose of celebrating this day is to shed light on topics such as biodiversity, food security, ecological balance, climate change, indiscriminate use of marine resources, and to create awareness in the world about the challenges posed by the oceans.
Theme of World Oceans Day 2022
The theme for this year's World Ocean Day is "Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean".
History of the day
It was decided to celebrate World Oceans Day every year at a forum named 'Planet Earth' held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Its concept was proposed at the Earth Summit by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada.
On 5 December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to designate this day.
Some important facts about ocean
There are a total of five oceans on Earth. The Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), Indian Ocean (Indian Ocean), Arctic Ocean (Arctic Ocean) and Antarctic Ocean or Southern Ocean (Antarctic Ocean).
The Pacific is the largest and deepest ocean. Its depth on the Mariana Trench is 11,033 metres i.e. about 11 kilometres.
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest ocean.
The water of the Atlantic Ocean is the saltiest. Its water has a salinity of 3.7 percent.
The world's saltiest sea (Red Sea) and warmest ocean (Persian Gulf) are located in the Indian Ocean.
The Arctic Ocean is the ocean with the least salt.
10. World Environment Day
Tags: Important Days
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June with the aim of making citizens around the world aware of the concerns of environmental pollution and raising awareness about the environment.
Theme 2022
This year's theme is 'Only One Earth - Living Sustainable in Harmony with Nature'.
50 years ago the slogan 'Only Earth' was first given at the Stockholm Conference of 1972.
The 50th World Environment Day has been celebrated in the year 2022, which is hosted by Sweden.
History of World Environment Day
World Environment Day was first celebrated by the United Nations in 1972.
Its celebration on a global scale began on 5 June 1974 in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, where an environmental conference was organised in the presence of 119 countries.
It was during this conference that it was decided to celebrate World Environment Day on 5th June every year.
Other important days related to environment
21 March | World Forest Day |
22 March | World Water Day |
23 March | World Meteorological Day |
22 April | World Earth Day |
8 June | World Oceans Day |
29 July | World Tiger Day |
16 September | World Ozone Day |
26 November | World Environment Protection Day |
