1. World Mental Health Day - 10 October
Tags: Important Days
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October to raise awareness related to mental health and promote positive changes.
An Overview of the News
The theme of 2023 World Mental Health Day is "Mental health is a universal human right".
The day aims to raise awareness and take action to protect the mental well-being of all as a fundamental human right.
History of World Mental Health Day
In 1992, Richard Hunter, who led the World Foundation for Mental Health, proposed the idea of dedicating October 10 as "World Mental Health Day".
The first World Mental Health Day was celebrated in 1994 and its theme focused on "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services Throughout the World".
2. World Post Day - 9 October
Tags: Important Days
World Post Day is celebrated every year on 9 October.
An Overview of the News
World Post Day celebrates the establishment of the United Nations agency, the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
The UPU was founded on October 9, 1884, in Bern, Switzerland.
The tradition of celebrating World Post Day began in 1969 during the UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan.
Theme of World Post Day 2023:
The theme of World Post Day 2023 is “Together for trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future”.
This theme emphasizes the role of post offices in achieving the goals of the digital economy.
First postage stamp in India:
India's first postage stamp was issued on 21 November 1947, with 'Jai Hind' and 'Bharat' written on it.
The value of this stamp was three and a half annas or 14 paise and was used for domestic mail.
Mahatma Gandhi had the distinction of being the first Indian to have a postage stamp issued in his name.
Sachin Tendulkar became the first living person in India to have a postage stamp issued in his name.
History of Indian Post:
The Indian postal system was started 257 years ago in 1766.
In 1774, Warren Hastings established the first post office in Kolkata.
Postage stamps in India were introduced in 1852.
A postage stamp bearing the image of Queen Victoria on October 1, 1854 marked the establishment of the postal department in India.
India's postal network is extensive, with 89.87% of post offices located in rural areas.
Notable stamp issues in India:
On 20 August 1991, India issued its largest postage stamp, bearing the photograph of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Universal Postal Union (UPU):
UPU is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Established: October 9, 1884.
Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland.
Current head: Masahiko Matoki.
The UPU works under the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
3. World Cup Day - 7 October
Tags: Important Days
World Cotton Day is celebrated every year on 7 October to emphasize the global importance of cotton.
An Overview of the News
The objective of World Cotton Day is to promote technological progress in cotton production, cotton products and cotton cultivation.
The Union Textiles Ministry observed World Cotton Day 2023 on 7 October.
The conference's theme was "Enhancing the quality and productivity of Indian cotton through policy, innovation, and technology upgradation."
The event was organized in collaboration with the EU-Resource Efficiency Initiative, Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) and GIZ.
Bale Identification and Traceability System (BITS):
CCI launches the 'Bail Identification and Traceability System' (BITS) using blockchain technology.
BITS assigns a QR code to each cotton bale for transparent tracking of quality information including origin, processing factory, storage details and timestamp.
The theme of World Cotton Day 2023:
The United Nations has set its theme as 'Making cotton fair and sustainable for all: from farm to fashion'.
The theme highlights the role of cotton in economic development, international trade and poverty alleviation.
Global Cotton Production:
India is the leader in cotton production, contributing 38% of the total world cotton production.
China is the second largest cotton producer globally.
History of World Cotton Day:
In 2012, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali proposed celebrating World Cotton Day at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The first World Cotton Day event organized by WTO took place in 2019 with the support of FAO, ICAC and UNCTAD.
Description of Cotton Cultivation:
Cotton is a Kharif crop and is suitable for dry climates.
It usually takes 6 to 8 months to mature.
Cotton covers 2.1% of the world's arable land and meets 27% of global textile needs.
Ideal conditions for cotton production: temperature (21-30 °C), rainfall (50-100 cm), soil (black cotton soil with good drainage, soil of Deccan plateau is suitable).
CottonSpecies:
There are four cultivated species of cotton: Gossypium arboreum, G. Herbacem, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense.
BT Cotton:
Bt cotton is a genetically modified insect-resistant variety of cotton.
Cotton Products:
Cotton is used to make textiles, fiber, oil and animal feed.
Top cotton-producing countries:
The top three cotton-producing countries globally are India, China and the United States.
Top cotton-producing states in India:
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are the major cotton-producing states of India.
4. World Cerebral Palsy Day - 6 October
Tags: Important Days
World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed every year on 6 October.
An Overview of the News
The day aims to promote greater inclusion and understanding of cerebral palsy.
The theme of World Cerebral Palsy Day 2023 is "Stronger Together".
Emphasizes unity, cooperation, and mutual support within the cerebral palsy community.
Festivals in India:
It is celebrated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The focus has been on creating awareness about cerebral palsy through various programs nationwide.
What is Cerebral Palsy (CP):
It is a condition that affects muscle control, body balance, and brain development.
It is classified as a disability because of its impact on mental and physical abilities.
More than 7 million people are affected globally each year.
5. World Teachers Day - 5 October
Tags: Important Days
World Teachers' Day is celebrated globally on 5 October.
An Overview of the News
World Teachers' Day is a day to honor and recognize the important role of teachers in transforming education and society. It calls for support and appreciation for teachers around the world.
World Teachers' Day is organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Education International (EI).
In India, Teacher's Day is celebrated on 5 September.
Theme 2023:
The theme of World Teachers' Day 2023 is "The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage"
UNESCO emphasizes the importance of addressing the decline in the number of teachers worldwide.
Background of World Teachers Day:
In 1994, UNESCO's General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 5 as World Teachers' Day.
On October 5, 1966, UNESCO held a special conference in Paris, where the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Relating to the Status of Teachers was adopted, which established rights and responsibilities for teachers and established international standards for education. Went.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization):
Establishment - 16 November 1945
Membership - 195 member countries and 8 associate members
Areas of focus - UNESCO works in the fields of education, science, culture, communication and information to achieve its mission.
Headquarters - Paris, France
Director General - Audrey Azoulay
6. National Dolphin Day - 5 October
Tags: Important Days
National Dolphin Day is celebrated every year on 5 October.
An Overview of the News
National Dolphin Day aims to raise awareness for dolphin conservation.
Dolphins are valuable ecological indicators of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, contributing to the overall health of the Earth.
History of National Dolphin Day
On 5 October 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Ganges dolphin as the 'National Aquatic Animal' during the inaugural meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced the celebration of National Dolphin Day on March 25, 2022, during the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board.
The second National Dolphin Day was observed on October 5, 2023.
About Ganga Dolphin:
Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica.
The Ganges dolphin is one of the five main species of river dolphins worldwide.
They are found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, especially in river systems such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Indus-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu.
According to the Ganges Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010-2020, adult male dolphins are approximately 2 to 2.2 meters in length, while females are approximately 2.4 to 2.6 meters in length.
Adult Ganges dolphins usually weigh between 70 and 90 kg.
They are found in various Indian states including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The Ganges dolphin is classified as 'Endangered' on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Reasons for decreasing dolphin population:
Dams built on rivers obstruct the water flow.
Pollution, including industrial and plastic waste.
fishing net.
Accumulation of silt in rivers.
The historical hunt for oil.
Government Conservation Efforts:
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 included the Ganges dolphin in its First Schedule in 1986, with the aim of promoting their conservation and establishing wildlife sanctuaries.
Vikramshila Ganga Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar was established under this Act.
The government prepared the 'Ganga Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010-2020' to assess the threats to the Ganges dolphin, including the impacts of river traffic and irrigation canals on their population.
7. World Nature Day - 3 October
Tags: Important Days
World Nature Day is celebrated every year on 3 October.
An Overview of the News
World Nature Day was established by the World Nature Organization (WNO) on 3 October 2010.
The 2023 theme of World Nature Day is 'Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet'.
Importance of World Nature Day
It aims to combat ignorance of climate change and emphasize its urgency.
Encourages recycling, reducing plastic use and adopting a sustainable lifestyle.
Inspires responsibility towards the environment and collective action to protect it.
Celebration of World Nature Day 2023
Tree planting: Communities plant trees to contribute to reforestation efforts.
Awareness campaigns: Organizations organize seminars and workshops to educate people about climate change.
Rallies and demonstrations: Peaceful rallies take place around the world to draw attention to environmental concerns.
Social media engagement: The use of hashtags such as #WorldNatureDay allows participation to be shared globally.
Key facts about World Nature Day 2023
Carbon dioxide levels: Atmospheric CO2 concentration is 408 ppm, the highest in 3 million years.
Temperatures recorded: 2016 was the hottest year, with the average temperature 1.78°F above mid-20th century levels.
Role of deforestation: Human-induced deforestation contributes 11% of global carbon emissions.
Amazon Rainforest: Stores 50% of the region's carbon, highlighting its importance for conservation.
Climate Vulnerability: About 11% of the world's population (800 million people) is vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.
Coastal Ecosystems: Coastal ecosystems store ten times more carbon than tropical forests.
Impact of Deforestation: Approximately 1 million hectares of forests have been lost due to deforestation, causing habitat loss and carbon emissions.
8. World Heart Day - 29 September
Tags: Important Days
World Heart Day is celebrated every year on 29 September.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of World Heart Day is to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), their prevention and global impacts.
This day was started by the World Heart Federation (WHF).
The WHF is a non-governmental organization founded in 1972 in Geneva, Switzerland.
2023 themes and key messages:
The theme of World Heart Day in 2023 is "Use Heart, Know Heart".
This highlights the importance of preventing CVD by addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
WHF emphasizes advocacy for a healthy heart lifestyle as a fundamental human right.
Global impact and statistics:
According to the World Health Organization, CVD is a major global health concern, causing 17.9 million deaths annually.
World Heart Day serves as a global event to raise awareness about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the vital importance of prevention.
9. World Tourism Day - 27 September
Tags: Important Days
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September to raise global awareness about the important role of tourism in the world economy.
An Overview of the News
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the economic impact of tourism is equal to or even greater than that of industries such as oil exports.
The theme of World Tourism Day in 2023 is "Tourism and Green Investment".
To mark World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO is hosting a two-day conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Background of World Tourism Day:
The decision to celebrate 27 September as World Tourism Day was made during the third session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Torremolinos, Spain in September 1979.
World Tourism Day was celebrated for the first time in 1980.
UNWTO:
UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1975.
Its primary mission is to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism encompassing various forms of tourism, including marine, coastal and inland water tourism.
UNWTO consists of 159 member countries and 6 associate members.
The headquarters of the organization is located in Madrid, Spain.
The Secretary-General of UNWTO is Zurab Pololikashvili, a citizen of Georgia.
10. International Sign Language Day - 23 September
Tags: Important Days
International Sign Language Day is designated by the United Nations General Assembly and is celebrated on 23 September each year.
An Overview of the News
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the important role of sign language in maintaining the human rights of deaf persons.
It provides an opportunity to promote and preserve the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Deaf community.
The theme of International Sign Language Day 2023:
The theme for 2023 is “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!”
This theme underlines the unifying power of sign languages and emphasizes their importance to Deaf communities, governments, and civil society organizations.
History of International Sign Language Day
International Sign Language Day was established in 2018 by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an organization dedicated to advocating for the human rights of the approximately 70 million deaf people worldwide.
The WFD consists of 135 national member federations, and they initiated the concept of this special day.
The day was introduced as a part of a broader celebration known as the International Week of the Deaf.
