World Standards Day 2020: Date, History, Theme and How To Observe

World Standards Day or International Standards Day is an international day celebrated internationally each year on 14 October to raise awareness among regulators, industry, and consumers as to the importance of standardization to the global economy.

World Standards Day: History

14 October is celebrated as the World Standards Day by the members of the IEC, ISO, and ITU to pay tributes to the efforts made by thousands of experts worldwide, who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.

14 October was specifically chosen to mark the date, in 1946, when delegates from 25 countries first gathered in London and decided to create an international organization focused on facilitating standardization. The first observance took place on October 14th, 1970.

World Standards Day 2020 theme

World Standards Day 2020 theme is "Protecting the planet with standards"

World Standards Day 2019 theme

World Standards Day 2019 theme was "Video standards create a global stage"

World Standards Day 2018 theme

World Standards Day 2018 theme was "Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution"

How To Observe World Standards Day

The main idea behind celebrating World Standards Day is to set standardization at the international level. This helps in making voluntary standards in everything and anything, including the capability to travel efficiently, having access to cleaner energy, and ensuring standard safety and security measures.

The U.S. standardization community provides an exhibit, reception, and dinner. Many other events are held around the world. These events include educational seminars and conferences. The World Standard Cooperation holds a contest each year to celebrate the day. To show your appreciation for international standards, share this day on social media using the hashtag #WorldStandardsDay

Click here to get more information about World Standards Day

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2020: Date, Theme and About IDDRR

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2020

International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed on October 13 to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of trying to control some of the risks communities face and to reduce disaster risks and losses to ensure a safer, more sustainable future.

About International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)

International Day for Disaster Reduction began in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.

 

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2020 Theme

‘Disaster risk governance’ is the theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October in a year when a great number of people have died and fallen ill because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is all about governance. You can measure good disaster risk governance in lives saved, reduced numbers of disaster-affected people, and reduced economic losses. COVID-19 and the climate emergency are telling us that we need a clear vision, plans, and competent, empowered institutions acting on scientific evidence for the public good.

This requires having national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction in place by the end of the year as agreed by UN member States when they adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015. We need to see strategies that address not just single hazards like floods and storms but those that respond to the systemic risk generated by zoonotic diseases, climate shocks, and environmental breakdown.

Sendai Seven Campaign

The Sendai Framework has seven strategic targets and 38 indicators for measuring progress on reducing disaster losses. In 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched “The Sendai Seven Campaign” to promote each of the seven targets over seven years. The 2019 target is the target(d): "Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and education facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030."

In keeping with the Day’s focus on the impact that disasters have on people’s lives and well-being, this year’s theme is about conveying the message that many disasters can be avoided or prevented if there is a risk-informed approach to the development, construction, and maintenance of critical infrastructure, in order to ensure that the creation of new risk is avoided, and that critical infrastructure continues to function during and after a disaster.

One metric which illustrates the extent of the challenge is the scale of insured economic losses over the three years since the Sendai Framework was launched. Overall insurance industry estimates of direct economic losses during those three years come to $665 billion.

The Sendai Seven Campaign is an opportunity for all, including governments, local governments, community groups, civil society organizations, the private sector, international organizations, and the UN family, to promote best practice at international, regional, and national level across all sectors, to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses.

2016 – Target 1: Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower the average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
2017 – Target 2: Substantially reduce the number of people affected globally by 2030, aiming to lower the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
2018 – Target 3: Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to the global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
2019 – Target 4: Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030.
2020 – Target 5: Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
2021 – Target 6: Substantially enhance international cooperation in developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030.
2022 – Target 7: Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.

Key Messages

1. If it’s not risk informed, it’s not sustainable, and if it’s not sustainable it has a human cost.
2. Increasing exposure of critical infrastructure and economic assets has been the major cause of long-term increases in economic loss from disasters and shows that the economic incentives for location in many hazard-prone areas continue to outweigh the perceived disaster risks.
3. Increasing exposure of people and economic assets has been the major cause of long-term increases in economic loss from disasters and shows that the economic incentives for location in many hazard-prone areas continue to outweigh the perceived disaster risks.
4. Investment in disaster risk reduction generally represents a large saving in terms of avoided losses and reconstruction costs with cost benefit ratios ranging from 3:1 to 15:1 or higher in some cases.
5. Integrating disaster risk reduction into investment decisions is the most cost-effective way to reduce risk.
6. Investing in disaster risk reduction is a precondition for developing sustainably in a changing climate./li>
7. If risk reduction can be included explicitly in national development and climate adaptation plans and budgets, all parts of government are then able to programme risk reduction actions and investments.
8. The adoption of hazard resistant building standards, planning and environmental regulations and the overall strengthening of risk governance through institutions and systems, protect people from the risk of vulnerable infrastructure.
9. Weak implementation and enforcement mechanisms are common problems in countries where most urban development is informal.
10. When critical infrastructure fails, businesses experience indirect losses, as production, distribution and supply chains are interrupted; consequently, production, output and throughput are reduced.
11. Resilience has to be embedded in the business planning for new cities and towns given the plethora of risks which rapid urbanization and population growth in disaster-prone parts of the world can bring in their wake.
12. The high structural vulnerability of housing, schools, infrastructure and other assets in poor rural areas exposed to floods, tropical cyclones and earthquakes also leads to major mortality in disasters.
13. Low-intensity damage to housing, local infrastructure, crops and livestock, which interrupt and erode livelihoods is extensively spread within countries and occurs very frequently.

Reference: vikaspedia

International Day of the Girl Child 2020: Date, Objectives, History, and Theme

International Day of the Girl Child 2020

International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year on 11 October. Established by the United Nations (UN), this day is an opportunity to bring greater awareness of the particular challenges facing girls, particularly those in living in poverty. The Significance of the day is to create awareness of issues facing girls internationally, such as education, nutrition, forced child marriage, legal rights, and medical rights.

Objectives Of International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations; it is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl. The First Day of the Girl Child was on October 11, 2012. The main objectives Of International Day of the Girl Child are:

1. To spread awareness among people about all the inequalities faced by girls in the country.
2. To promote awareness about the rights of a girl child.
3. To increase awareness on the importance of girl education, health, and nutrition.
4. To increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide.
5. To stop violence against women and child marriage.

International Day of the Girl Child 2020 Theme

International Day of the Girl Child 2020 Theme is "My voice, our equal future". The theme focuses on the opportunity to mobilize global action to achieve gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls.

International Day of the Girl Child: History

In 1995, the World Conference on Women was held in Beijing to recognize the human rights of women and girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls' rights.

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. The first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on October 11, 2012, and the theme was "Ending Child Marriage".

International Day of the Girl Child Activities

You can get involved with International Day of the Girl Child by spreading awareness of issues facing girls internationally, such as education, nutrition, forced child marriage, legal rights, and medical rights. You can spread awareness and educate people around you. Also, You can share information on social media or start a conversation with colleagues, friends, or family.

World Mental Health Day 2020: Date, Theme & Significance

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world.

World Mental Health Day 2020

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. The goal is to help raise mental health awareness around the world and to put all our efforts in support of mental health. The first World Mental Health Day 2020 was observed on 10th October 1992. The World Mental Health Day is observed brings all the concerned people working on mental health issues like Psychologists, Neurologists, Psychologists, Counsellors, to inform the general public about their body of work, and what is the need of the hour to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

World Mental Health Day 2020 theme

"Kindness" announced as the new theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

World Mental Health Day 2019 theme

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2019 was "Focus on prevention".

Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. The theme of World Mental Health Day 2019 was to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it.

Mental Health & Illness:

Mental health is the level of psychological well-being or an absence of mental illness. It is the state of someone who is "functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment". Doctors don’t know the exact cause of most mental illnesses. A combination of things, including your genes, biology, and your life experiences, seems to be involved. Many mental illnesses run in families. But that doesn’t mean you will have one if your mother or father did. Some conditions involve circuits in your brain that are used in thinking, mood, and behavior. For instance, you may have too much, or not enough, the activity of certain brain chemicals called "neurotransmitters" within those circuits. Brain injuries are also linked to some mental conditions.

There are many different mental illnesses, and their symptoms vary. Some common symptoms include:

• Mood swings


• Relationship problems


• Hallucinations


• Abusing alcohol or drugs


• Feeling low on hope and not enjoying things that they used to like


• Thoughts of suicide or harming themselves or others


• Sleep problems

World Mental Health Day Quotes and messages

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and begin redressing the historic neglect of mental health, - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

With so many people lacking access to good quality, appropriate mental health services, investment is needed now more than ever, - Elisha London, Founder and CEO of United for Global Mental Health

Mental health needs a great deal of care and attention. It is no more a taboo and it needs to be dealt with head-on.

References: WebMD

World Homeless Day 2020: Date, History and Purpose

World Homeless Day is celebrated on October 10 every year to change the lives of people experiencing homelessness in their local community.

World Homeless Day: History

The concept of 'World Homeless Day' emerged from online discussions between people working to respond to homelessness from various parts of the world.

The Inaugural World Homeless Day was marked on the 10th of October 2010.

Since its founding, World Homeless Day has been observed on every continent except Antarctica, in several dozen countries.

The use of the idea of 'World Homeless Day' is open for all to use... anywhere in the world.

Purpose of World Homeless Day

The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides.

How To Make a Difference

educate people about homeless issues
celebrate and support local good works
highlight local issues

Collaborate & Double Your Impact

Once you identify the local service provider for homeless people you want to rally support behind…. for example if they suggest clean socks; or canned food; or an item they need funds to buy…. use your local networks to rally even greater support:

schools
churches
service clubs
local businesses
where you work
who else?

World Homeless Day is something you can point to on the calendar each year and use to make a significant difference in your local community.

Reference: http://www.worldhomelessday.org

Indian Air Force Day 2020: Date, History, and Significance

Air Force Day is celebrated to mark the birth of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 8, 2020. This year India celebrates 88th Indian Air Force Day.

Indian Air Force Day 2020

Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on October 8 in India. This year India celebrates 88th Indian Air Force Day. The Indian Air Force Day is observed to build the familiarity with Indian aviation based armed forces in any association of the national security both authoritatively and freely. IAF Day is celebrated for the establishment of the Air Force in India to help the Army that was battling on the land. With around 1,500 aircraft and 1, 70,000 personnel, IAF is the fourth largest air force in the world after the United States, Russia, and China.

Indian Air Force history

Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honored India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India. With the government's transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed after only three years.

Since 1950 the IAF has been involved in four wars with Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus, and Operation Poomalai. The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Historical aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Westland Wapiti: one of the first aircraft flown by the Indian Air Force.
Consolidated-Vultee B-24 Liberator: heavy bomber over the Deccan plateau in the early 1950s
Canberra:  medium bomber
Mystere IVA: being armed with cannon rounds during September 1965

References: Oneindia,wikipedia

World Post Day 2020: Date, History and Significance

World Post Office Day

World Post Day is observed each year on October 9, the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. Universal Postal Union was the start of the global communications revolution, introducing the ability to write letters to others all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969. Since then, countries all over the world take part in celebrations to highlight the importance of the postal service.

World Post Day: History

World Post Day, also called World Post Office Day, is observed every year on October 9 and marks the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which was set up in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. The day is celebrated to create awareness about the role and importance of postal services in the lives of people, and how it contributes to global development. The proposal was submitted by Shri Anand Mohan Narula, a member of the Indian delegation. Since then, World Post Day has been celebrated all over the world to highlight the importance of postal services.

The year 2020, however, was the year that the postal industry showed the world its resilience, its determination, and the invaluable role it plays in every society. We showed we are more than mail. - UPU Director General's Message

World Post Day: Celebrations

Every year, more than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day in a different way. In a few countries, World Post Day is observed as a working holiday. Many Posts use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Some Posts also use World Post Day to reward their employees for good service.

International Podiatry Day 2020: Date and How To Observe International Podiatry Day

International Podiatry Day 2020

International Podiatry Day is observed on October 8 every year to spread the importance of foot health. Celebrated every year on 8 October, IPD wants to become the biggest event focused on foot health around the world. Some of the most common issues people have with their feet are Athlete’s foot, Bunions, Diabetic neuropathy, Ingrown toenails, Plantar fasciitis, Blisters, and Corns.

International Podiatry Day (IPD) is the global awareness campaign that aims to spread the importance of foot health around the world. The Day mainly focused on foot health around the world and to raise awareness on Podiatry both with the general public, other health professions, and government health officials about the impact and the dangers of foot and ankle ailments.

How To Observe International Podiatry Day

International Podiatry Day focuses on global foot health. The International Federation of Podiatrists (IFP) is instrumental in organizing educational seminars and spreading awareness for foot health. They also encourage the podiatry community across the globe to recognize the services podiatrists are providing for foot and ankle.

You can do the below on International Podiatry Day

1. Educate yourself on taking care of your feet.
2. You can pamper your feet at home.
3. Visit to a podiatrist if you are experiencing foot problems.
4. Give Yourself a Home Pedicure.
5. Try a Foot Scrub
6. Share on social media with #InternationalPodiatryDay to promote awareness of the day.

World Octopus Day 2020: Date, History and About Octopus

World Octopus Day is observed every year on October 8. World Octopus Day celebrates one of the most distinctive creatures living on the planet today, the octopus. On this day, take a trip to your local sea life center, take time to learn more about Octopus, or make a donation to a charity of your choice working to protect sea animals.

World Octopus Day History

World Octopus Day is observed every year on October 8. The first World Octopus Day was celebrated in conjunction with Cephalopod Awareness Day. The Octopus News Magazine Online founded World Octopus Day. World Octopus Day celebrates its diversity, conservation, and biology. They chose the eighth day of the month to show appreciation for animals with eight appendages.

About Octopus

Octopuses are sea animals famous for their rounded bodies, bulging eyes, and eight long arms. They live in all the world’s oceans but are especially abundant in warm, tropical waters. Octopuses, like their cousin, the squid, are often considered “monsters of the deep,” though some species, or types, occupy relatively shallow waters.

There are many reasons we should celebrate octopuses:

1) They're super smart! Believed to be the smartest invertebrate, the octopus is an amazing problem solver, actively learning rather than just using instincts. An octopus has a total of 500 million neurons, located its brain and throughout its eight arms.

2) They’re ancient! Cephalopods have been around for millions and millions of years. The earliest octopus fossil record during the late Devonian (over 360 million year ago). That’s before dinosaurs! Their fossils are hard to find because they lack hard tissues that usually preserve better.

3) They’re great swimmers! They can propel forward by expelling water through their mantles (the muscled structure holding its organs). This allows some species to reach underwater speeds of nearly 25 mph (40 kph)!

4) They’re beautiful! Octopuses are found in an assortment of lovely and bold colors. They’re even able to change their outer appearance. Pigmented skin cells called chromatophores allow them to blend into their natural surroundings and protect them from predators.

5) They’re flexible! Since they have no external shell or internal skeletons, they can contort their body to fit into small spaces. The eyes are the most solid and as a result, many octopuses can pass through tights areas slightly larger than their eyes.

6) They’re clever! Some have been caught on video using tools (pieces of coconuts and shells) to help transport them and as shelter.

7) They’re eyes are neat! The octopus is able to see the same image whether right side up or flipped. Their pupils are horizontal, the same orientation as a goat’s. When the octopus moves, the eyes are able to stay in the same position, thus keeping it’s gaze from turning upside down.

References: sciencedummy

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2020: Date, History & Celebration

World Cerebral Palsy Day is celebrated on October 6 and is a global movement by, of and for people with cerebral palsy, their families, and supporters.

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that’s sadly very common among people. No matter the conditions that cause it, Cerebral Palsy can be challenging to live with and can affect not only the person who has it but the loved ones that surround them. World Cerebral Palsy Day gives these families the ability to find better ways of handling Cerebral Palsy and helps spread awareness about the facts that come with Cerebral Palsy.

History of World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral Palsy Day began with a small campaign called “Change My World in One Minute.” This project, started by Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia, sought for global change by allowing people to share ideas about new technologies and products that people with Cerebral Palsy could use to make their lives easier and better. Then, as time progressed, more ideas were spread out and called out to inventors to make them. Research teams from all over the world take part in this holiday, allowing new inventions to form and be presented at the CPA’s yearly event.

This day not only became a day for invention and innovation but also became a social movement. In 2015, the social change targeted vital issues that people with CP face all over the world. Hence, the CPA updated their website to provide tools and resources for people with CP. From there, Cerebral Palsy day became a way to make the lives of people with CP better technologically and socially. As it is a condition that at least 17 million people have, Cerebral Palsy Day helps bring awareness to CP, how to find resources to help those with CP and create an appreciation for those who work hard in research and technology towards a definite goal.

How to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day

Want to know how to take part in World Cerebral Palsy Day? Look up tools and resources on the main Cerebral Palsy Day website to find local events near you. You can also participate through social media by sharing your story (if you’re a person who deals with CP or knows someone with it). Let everyone know what day it is today using the hashtag #worldcerebralpalsyday and tell your friends about different ways they could participate.

Source

World Animal Day 2020: Date, History, & Importance Of animals

World Animal Day 2020

World Animal Day is celebrated on 4 October every year to raise awareness about improving the welfare standards of the animals around the world. It is celebrated in different ways in every country, irrespective of nationality, religion, faith, or political ideology. Through increased awareness and education we can create a world where animals are always recognized as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.

History Of World Animal Day

World Animal Day was first celebrated in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy to highlight the plight of endangered species. October 4 was annually chosen to celebrate this day because of the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. In 2003, the first World Animal Day website was launched by the Naturewatch Foundation which is a UK-based animal welfare charity.

The Importance Of animals

The importance of animals can be categorized as ecological, economic, and investigatory importance as well as conservation of biological diversities, etc. Animals have also been highly useful to us in providing food, clothing, and source of income. We are also a part of animals to make ecological balance on earth. It plays a very important role in our life.

1. Animal helps in maintaining the ecological balance of nature.
2. The animal can be used to earn money. Wild animal products such as meat, medicines, and silk are of huge economic value.
3. Scientific experiments are done on some animals. These experiments are related to the discovery of new drugs. This helps in making medicines for treatment for a disease. Generally, monkeys and rats are used for scientific research experiments.
4. By conserving animals, diversity in the environment can be conserved.
5. Few wild animals also have great importance in terms of tourism.

How to celebrate World Animal Day?

World Animal Day is celebrated every year to spread awareness about the status of animals and improve their welfare standards. You don’t have to be an activist to celebrate World Animal Day. Here are a few ideas for you:

1. Donate to some of the nonprofit organizations for animal welfare.
2. Volunteer your time at a local shelter or animal sanctuary.
3. Educate yourself. Read up on animal issues and how to help them.
4. If you’re unable to take part in the events or campaigns in your city, you can always do your bit by starting an online campaign. Use the hashtag  on social media #WorldAnimalDay

Durga Puja In Kolkata 2020: Dates, Significance and Celebration

Durga Puja 2020

Durga Puja 2020 will be celebrated in the month of October with Mahalaya on 17 September and Maha Panchami on 21 October. Durga Puja celebrates the ten-armed mother goddess and her victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. While celebrated across India, In West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, it is the biggest festival of the year and the most significant cultural event in Bengali Hindu society. Durga Puja is a ten-day festival, even though it is the latter five days that are recognized and celebrated. The last five days being special festivals that are reflected in public holidays in some states in India. The pandals are beautifully decorated with a certain theme. The streets are crowded with people who are out to see the pandals and the idols of the goddess Durga.

Significance of Durga Puja

As per Hindu mythology, the festival marks Goddess Durga’s visit to her natal home along with her children. Durga Puja is preceded by Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Durga’s journey to her home. The actual puja starts from “Maha Sashthi” or the sixth day where devotees welcome the Goddess with pomp and gusto. On this day, Durga’s deity is unveiled in front of the public. Several rituals are performed while the “dhakis” keep the mood and spirit of the puja alive by playing the “dhak”—a kind of drum that’s associated with the puja and Bengali culture.

The 7th day marks the commencement of “Maha Saptami”. On this day, just before dawn, a banana tree is immersed in the water as a part of the ritual. After the ceremonial bath, the tree or “Kola Bou” (as called in Bengali) is draped in a saree, usually a red-bordered one, and placed on the right-side of Ganesha, thereby implying that “Kola Bou” is actually the bride of Ganesha. However, several cultural revisionists and historians have different views on this as some believe that “Kola Bou” is another representation of Durga. Hence, they refute the theory that “Kola Bou” is the bride of Ganesha.

Another different view is that “Kola Bou” is a symbolic representation of nine types of plants that form a sacred complex. Priests tie a bunch of eight plants on the trunk of the banyan tree before performing the ritual. The nine different leaves combined together form “Kola Bou”—often considered as the plant form of Durga.

“Maha Ashtami” marks the 8th of the puja and is considered as the day when the Goddess defeated “Mahisasura”. Prayers are offered in the form of “Anjali” while feasts are organized in different localities. Khichdi and other delicacies are prepared on this day.

The 9th day is dubbed as “Maha Navami”. As soon as the “Sandhi Puja” ends, Maha Navami commences. Maha Aarti is performed as a closing ritual. Huge queues are common on this day as people flock in to take part in “Maha Aarti”.

The 10th day or “Maha Dashami” marks the final day of Durga Puja. On this day, Durga and the other deities are immersed in the river Ganga. Before the immersion, married women take part in “Sindoor Khela” where they smear vermillion on each other’s faces. On the day of immersion, also called “Visarjan”, huge processions are common. People dance and cheer on the road to celebrate the spirit of the puja. After the immersion, a typical custom is followed where people visit their relatives’ houses to wish “Bijoya Dashami”.

How is Durga Puja celebrated?

Schools, colleges, and government offices are closed during the puja. People indulge in shopping for the puja just after Mahalaya. During this time of the year, most shops offer discounts on clothes and other products. On “Maha Ashtami” men usually wear Kurta Pajamas while women drape themselves in sarees.

Cultural events are organised in different localities while puja organisers compete against each other through theme-based puja pandals. The beauty of Durga Puja is that every pandal has a story to tell through its art and décor. People stand in queues just to enter the pandal so that they can enjoy the magnificent artwork and décor.

Food stalls are set up in every nook and corner while special Durga Puja dishes are prepared in restaurants. Streets are decorated with different lights to capture the festive mood. More police personnel are deployed than the usual to keep the traffic under control.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival for the Bengali community. Other than the celebrations, the festival calls for a family get-together. It’s a time when people bridge their differences and come together to celebrate unity. To be precise, Durga Puja transcends the boundaries of religion and celebrates the spirit of humanity.

Festive Traditions and Activities

Many exciting festive activities are organised on the eve of the festival of Durga puja. Some of these are:

• Setting up of ‘pandals’: A ‘Pandal’ is a place where the idol of Goddess Durga is kept. All the rituals and prayers take place inside the pandal. Magnificent pandals are set up before the puja begins. Architecture of the world’s most famous buildings is replicated. New designs are also laid out.


• Street food stalls: Alongside pandals, many food stalls are set up which sell a variety of street foods ranging from golgappas to bajjis and samosas.


• Shopping: As per tradition, in some of the states such as West Bengal, people wear new dresses every day.

Detailed Information about the Festival of Durga Puja

Durga puja is one of the mostly grandly celebrated festivals in the country with the celebrations carrying over for more than a week. Each day has its own special meaning and different activities are carried out every day. Some of these are:

• Maha Shashti: As per mythology, Maha Shashti is known as the day when Goddess Durga landed on earth with her 4 children: Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya. On the eve of Maha Shashti, the face of the idol of Goddess Durga is unveiled. The rituals performed on the day are ‘Amontron, ‘Bodhon’ and ‘Adhibash’. Drums known as ‘Dhaak’ are banged to signal the arrival of Goddess Durga everywhere.


• Maha Saptami: On the eve of Maha Saptami, the Maha puja is performed. Just before the sun rises, a banana tree is submerged in holy water and then it is covered with a new sari just like a newlywed woman. This ritual is known as ‘Kola bou’ or ‘Nabapatrika’. The banana tree is kept with the idol of Goddess Durga. Nine plants are also kept which represent the 9 forms of Goddess Durga.


• Maha Ashtami: As per mythology, Maha Ashtami is believed to be the day when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, also known as the ‘Buffalo devil’. In the olden days, a buffalo was sacrificed to mark the occasion. Hymns are chanted in Sanskrit and people offer their prayers. The prayers are known as ‘Anjali’. Girls that are less than 9 years are depicted as Goddess Durga and are worshipped. This ritual is known as ‘Kumari puja’. After this, the ‘Sandhi puja’ is performed.


• Maha Navami: After the ‘Sandhi puja’ ends, Maha Navami starts. The ‘Maha arati’ is performed on the eve of ‘Maha Navami’. This is followed by the organising of recreational activities after which the ‘bhog’ is served to everyone.


• Maha Dashmi: On the eve of Maha Dashami, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in the holy water of river Ganges. Before the immersion, processions are carried out by the worshippers on trucks with the beating of drums which is accompanied by singing and dancing. During the procession, women that are married throw vermillion on each other. In the evening, people visit each other’s houses and wish ‘Vijoy Dashmi’. Special food dishes are also prepared.

Durga Puja 2020 Dates

Shashthi: Thursday, 22 October
Saptami: Friday, 23 October
Ashtami: Saturday, 24 October
Navami: Sunday, 25 October
Vijaya Dashami: Monday, 26 October

Durga Puja 2021 Dates

Shashthi: Monday, 11 October
Saptami: Tuesday, 12 October
Ashtami: Wednesday, 13 October
Navami: Thursday, 14 October
Vijaya Dashami: Friday, 15 October

Reference: BankBazaar

World Habitat Day 2020: Importance, History & Themes

World Habitat Day 2020

World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October every year to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. This year World Habitat Day will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia on Monday, 5 October. The Day is intended to remind the world that we all have the power and we are responsible for the habitat of future next generations. World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya, and the theme chosen for that year was "Shelter is My Right".

History Of World Habitat Day

World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202 and was first celebrated in 1986. Nairobi (In Kenya) was the host city for the observance that year. The theme chosen for that year was "Shelter is My Right".
The shelter is one of our most basic needs. without shelter, it is almost impossible to carry on any other activity. The last time a global survey was attempted by the United Nations in 2005 and around 100 million people were homeless worldwide. The World Habitat Day is held on the first Monday of October with a new theme every year and mainly focuses on housing, social services, a safe and healthy living environment for all.

World Habitat Day Dates

2020	Monday	5 Oct
2021	Monday	4 Oct
2022	Monday	3 Oct
2023	Monday	2 Oct
2024	Monday	7 Oct

World Habitat Day 2020 Theme

The theme for World Habitat Day 2020 is "Housing For All: A Better Urban Future". Surabaya, the capital of Indonesia is the host city for World Habitat Day 2020.

World Habitat Day 2019 Theme

The theme for World Habitat Day 2019 was "Frontier Technologies as an Innovative Tool to Transform Waste to Wealth". Mexico City, the capital of Mexico was the host city for the World Habitat Day 2019. The Chief Guest was Martha Delgado Peralta, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, and UN-Habitat Assembly President.

International Day for Older Persons 2020: Importance, History, Theme & Quotes

International Day for Older Persons 2020

International Day of Older Persons is a special day for older persons all over the world.  International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 to create awareness and empathy regarding the well being of the elderly. The day was first celebrated on October 1, 1991.

History Of International Day for Older Persons

The United Nations General Assembly stated that October 1 was the International Day of older persons and declared it as a holiday On December 14, 1990. The day was first celebrated on October 1, 1991. The day is recognized to raise awareness on the issues affected by elderly people such as mistreatment, elderly abuse.

How to celebrate International Day for Older Persons?

People usually celebrate the day by spending time with their grandparents, visiting old age homes and N.G.O's and cooking or baking them. Some kids also give greeting cards to their elderly on this day. Meet the older persons and let them know they are appreciated and loved.

Things to do on International Day for Older Persons to Engage Your Family:

1. Take your loved one to their favorite place, restaurant, or to do an activity they usually love.
2. Give greeting cards to your grandparents or the older persons whom you know.
3. Conduct events in your area or virtually to expose the problems the adults are facing in society.
4. Enjoy movies, TV shows, or music with your grandparents.
5. Use #UNIDOP on social media to create awareness about International Day for Older Persons.

Older people & COVID-19

COVID-19 is changing older people’s daily routines, the care and support they receive, their ability to stay socially connected, and how they are perceived. Older people are being challenged by requirements to spend more time at home, lack of physical contact with other family members, friends, and colleagues, temporary cessation of employment and other activities; and anxiety and fear of illness and death – their own and others. It is therefore important that we create opportunities to foster healthy aging during the pandemic.

WHO, together with partners, is providing guidance and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic for older people and their households, health- and social care workers, and local authorities and community groups.



Source: WHO

International Day for Older Persons 2019 Theme

The theme for International Day for Older Persons 2019 was "The Journey to Age Equality".

International Day for Older Persons 2020 Theme

The theme for International Day for Older Persons 2020 is "Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?".

International Day for Older Persons Dates

 

Year	Date	Day
2020	Oct 1	Thursday
2021	Oct 1	Friday
2022	Oct 1	Saturday
2023	Oct 1	Sunday

International Day for Older Persons Day  Quotes

"To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent - that is to triumph over old age." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - Les Brown

"The good thing about being old is not being young." - Stephen Richards

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." - Mark Twain

"To make an elderly person happy is the noblest act a young person can ever do!" - Mehmet Murat Ildan

"Those who respect the elderly pave their own road toward success." - African proverb

"Old age is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator." - Confucius

International Day of Non-Violence 2020: Date, History, Significance, Facts & Quotes

International Day Of Non-Violence 2020

International Day of Non-Violence is observed On 2 October 2020 to promote non-violence through education and public awareness. It is being marked since 2007. International Day of Non-Violence 2020 is observed on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great leader of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi was a pioneer of the philosophy and non-violence strategy. The principle of non-violence aims to achieve social or political change and rejects the use of physical violence.

History Of International Day Of Non-Violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi who was a great leader of the Indian independence movement. On 15 June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."

The resolution made by the UN reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding, and non-violence."

Life And Leadership Of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was the primary leader of India’s independence movement and also the architect of a form of non-violent civil disobedience that would influence the world. He was also known as the father of the country. He had improved the lives of India’s poor people. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated in India to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence, has been the inspiration for non-violent movements for civil rights and social change across the world. He committed to his belief in non-violence even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. He believed that Indians must not use violence or hatred in their fight for freedom from colonialism.

A few of the important movements associated with Mahatma Gandhi.

Champaran Movement (1917)
Kheda Movement (1918)
Khilafat Movement (1919)
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
Civil Disobedience Movement: Dandi March (1930)
Quit India Movement (1942)

International Day Of Non-Violence 2020 Theme

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is "Shaping Peace Together."

Non-Violence Quotes

"Non-violence is a weapon of the strong." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

"There are many causes I would die for. There is not a single cause I would kill for." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Only the brave men and women can bring peace to the world, not by practicing war but by practicing nonviolence." - Amit Ray

"We may never be strong enough to be entirely nonviolent in thought, word, and deed. But we must keep nonviolence as our goal and make strong progress towards it." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." - Martin Luther King, Jr.