World Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day - 24 March 2014. The slogan for World Tuberculosis Day is "Reach the 3 million".

World Water Day 2014: Water and Energy - 22 March

Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent. Energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.

In 2014, the UN System – working closely with its Member States and other relevant stakeholders – is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the 'bottom billion' who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services. It also aims to facilitate the development of policies and crosscutting frameworks that bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy. Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality.

Objectives of World Water Day in 2014

• Raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy
• Contribute to a policy dialogue thatfocuses on the broad range of issues related to the nexus of water and energy
• Demonstrate, through case studies, todecision makers in the energy sector and the water domain that integrated approaches and solutions to water-energy issues can achieve greater economic and social impacts
• Identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system, in particular UN-Water and UN-Energy, can offer significant contributions
• Identify key stakeholders in the water-energy nexus and actively engaging them in further developing the water-energy linkages
• Contribute as relevant to the post-2015 discussions in relation to the water-energy nexus.

Source: http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/about-world-water-day/world-water-day-2014-water-and-energy/en/

World Population Day - July 11

World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1999 approximately the date on which the world's population reached five billion people.

World Population Day 2013, Focus is on Adolescent Pregnancy. About 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year. Another 3.2 million undergo unsafe abortions. On this World Population Day  raise awareness of the issue of adolescent pregnancy in the hopes of delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Important Days - June

National Statistics Day - 29 June

UN Public Service Day - 23 June

International Olympic Day - 23 June 2013

World Music Day - 21 June

World Refugee Day - 20 June

'Day of Reading' (Vayana dinam) - 19 june

Father’s Day - 18 June

World Blood Donor Day - 14 June

World Day against Child Labour - 12 June 2013

World Environment Day - 5 june

Vanamahotsav - July 1st Week

Vanamahotsava is a great festival of forests and tree planting. It can be literally translated as great festival of forests. The great festival of forests implies forest conservation, and even in 1950s, forest conservation meant planting lots and lots of trees. So now, it is known as festival of trees. Gujarat was the first state to implement it.

Vanamahotsava is to be celebrated from July 1 to 7. It is celebrated in July because; July is special month for trees and tree planting. Anything we plant during July grows. It is so for other crops too. In first week of July, monsoon is there all over the country and the festival can be celebrated in all parts of the country. So, the plan should be to plant as many seedlings as one can during this period.

The name Vanamahotsava (the festival of trees) originated in July 1947 after a successful tree-planting drive was undertaken in Delhi, in which national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Abdul Kalam Azad participated.The week was simultaneously celebrated in a number of states.Since then, lakhs of saplings of different species were planted with active involvement of agencies like the forest department.The concept of this great festival for the nature lovers was first initiated by (Late) K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Food & Agriculture in the year 1950.

Doctors' Day - July 1

The Doctor's Day is celebrated on July 1 all across India to honour the legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was born on July 1, 1882 and passed away on the same date in 1962, aged 80 years. Doctor Roy was honoured with the highest civilian honour of Bharat Ratna in 1961.

World Blood Donor Day - June 14

Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

World Day Against Child Labour - June 12

Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002.

The World Day Against Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools, youth and women's groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labour.

Source: http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/WDACL/lang--en/index.htm

World No Tobacco Day - May 31

World Health Organisation(WHO) has earmarked May 31 as 'World No Tobacco Day', to highlight the risks associated with tobacco usage and reduce its consumption .

The theme of this year's 'World No Tobacco Day' is "Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship." 

World No Tobacco Day 2013: 10 ads that can make smokers quit

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/world-no-tobacco-day-2013-10-ads-that-can-make-smokers-quit/395149-17.html

International Everest Day - May 29

1953 may 29, 11:30:00 am, The New Zealander Edmund Hillary, and the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, have become the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border. They reached the top of the world after a grueling climb up the southern face. 

 Mount Everest was named after Sir George Everest, the surveyor-general of India who was the first to produce detailed maps of the Indian subcontintent including the Himalayas.

International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. 

When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

Source & Thanks:  http://www.cbd.int/idb/

Anti-Terrorism Day – May 21

The death anniversary of ex-prime minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi is also observed as Anti Terrorism Day all over the country on 21 May.

The day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism and violence and its effect on the people, society and the country as a whole.

The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the people from terrorism and violence.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day - May 17

The purpose of  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. 17 May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.

The day had previously been known as World Telecommunication Day to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union in 17 May 1865. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga -Torremolinos in 1973.

Source: http://www.itu.int/en/wtisd/Pages/default.aspx

International Day of Families - May 15

International Day of Families was brought about by the United Nations Programme on the Family and will stress the importance of having healthy and happy relationships with your relatives.

Families are the 'basic core' of our society - we are born into them and some of the most important developing years of our lives are spent growing up with our families.

Each year there is a different theme for the day and in 2013 the theme will be 'Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity'.

World Red Cross Red Crescent Day – 8 May 2013

World Red Cross Day celebrates the work of those who volunteer with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, providing worldwide relief during times of disease, famine, disaster or war. It has around 97 million members and volunteers in some 170 countries and helps more than 230 million people every year.

World Red Cross Day is held on 8 May, the birthday of Jean Henri Dunant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The theme for 2012 is 'Together for humanity'. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries.

Source: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/w/worldredcrossredcrescentday.asp

World Asthma Day - May 7 "You Can Control Your Asthma"

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The theme of 2012's event was "You Can Control Your Asthma"

World Book Day - April 23

World Book Day or World Book and Copyright Day  is a yearly event on 23 April, organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

World Water Day - March 22

Theme 2013: Water Cooperation

Water cooperation is a foundation for peace and sustainable development. Water cooperation contributes to poverty reduction and equity, creates economic benefits, helps preserve water resources and protect the environment, and builds peace. 

To focus attention on this important subject the celebrations for World Water Day on 22 March 2013 will take place around the world with the theme of water cooperation.

“International Year of Water Cooperation”

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation.

The Year is lead by UNESCO because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach, which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication.

Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects. To find out more visit Water Cooperation 2013 website.

Source & Thanks: http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/

World Forestry Day - March 21

World Forestry Day is celebrated around the world to ring a bell among the society about the importance of forests and the scores of benefits which are gained from them. The concept of celebrating a day every year as World Forestry Day originated at the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971. 

The event also venerates the contribution of the forests. Every year, 21 March is distinguished as World Forestry Day.

Women's Day - March 8

International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women's Day, is marked on March 8 every year.