Category DAYS TO REMEMBER

         Have you been to the top of a mountain? The cool breeze, the fresh air, the beautiful sky and, above all, the sight from above give us an unforgettable experience from high up on the mountain. Mountains are not just beautiful places to visit. They contribute significantly to ecosystems and biosphere. International Mountain Day is celebrated on December 11.

       Statistics say that about one billion people live in mountainous areas. Almost half the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. However, climate change, land degradation, over exploitation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences, are threatening not only the mountains themselves, but also mountain communities, and the rest of the world. Global warming is melting mountain glaciers at an unprecedented rate. This affects freshwater supplies down- stream for millions of people.

         International Mountain Day should raise awareness regarding the importance of mountains in Man’s life. It is also an opportunity to remind governments to be pro-active, and protect mountains.

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          Millions of people are living all over the world devoid of basic amenities, dignity and human rights. Human Rights are the rights that every individual has by virtue of being a human being, irrespective of their gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. On December 10, the world observes the Human Rights Day.

         December 10 is the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a historic document, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on 10 December 1948 in Paris, France. It is a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights, which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Being the sacred scripture of justice and fairness, this document is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.

        The Human Rights Day reminds us of the significance of equal dignity and worth of every person. We, as responsible individuals, have to make a promise to ourselves to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings.

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         Have you ever thought what a wonder the soil is? The upper layer of the earth, soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic matter, which sustains and fosters all life on Earth. The whole of plant life exists on the soil as they take water and necessary nutrients from it. Therefore, all animals and other organisms have no existence without soil. We observe the World Soil Day on December 5.

         Do you know that soil is a finite natural resource? It is non-renewable too. Therefore, if it is polluted beyond its natural redeeming ability, soil cannot be reclaimed. It is a fact that there is a steady worldwide increase in the degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate management practices and population pressure. Therefore, the observance of the World Soil Day aims to raise awareness regarding the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.

         What we can do to contribute to the well-being of our planet is by not throwing plastic, nondegradable and toxic materials on the soil, thus polluting it.

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          There is hardly any home without a television. Television has become such an integral part of our life as it takes care of many of the chief aspects of our life such as entertainment, information and health. Before the advent of the Internet, people depended heavily on television for news, education and entertainment. On November 21, the World Television Day, we recognize and acknowledge the importance of television in our life.

        Television plays an important role in the building of a society. Much of an individual’s leisure time is spent in front of TV. It provides the viewer with various programmes ranging from news presentations, discussion platforms, interviews, films and serial shows to school and college lessons. Therefore, it has the unique ability to fashion people’s views and opinions. However, television, popularly known as the ‘idiot box’, has its disadvantages too.

        The World Television Day, therefore, should make us more responsible and committed towards our society.

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         The hopes and dreams for a new and better world lie with children; and there- fore, they are the future of humanity. Established in 1954 by the United Nations, the Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

        One of the most celebrated international document for the rights of children is the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It advocates giving children the means necessary for their normal material and spiritual development. Hunger, illness, backwardness, delinquency and abandonment of children should be eliminated. The document says that children must be the first to receive relief in times of distress. There should be provisions to protect children against every form of exploitation. The Declaration was adopted in 1924 and still remains the chief pillar of support for the rights of children.

         The Universal Children’s Day reminds us that our education systems, social structures and institutions should primarily cater to the growth and development of children.

         One of the inconveniences many people in countries like India face is the lack of toilets. The Indian government has undertaken an important step that ensures toilets in every house-hold across the country as part of a nation-wide campaign called Swachh Bharat Mission. Having basic toilet facilities is an individual’s right as hygienic and clean surroundings will help him stay healthy. The World Toilet Day is celebrated on November 19.

          Statistics indicate that around 4.5 billion people live without a safe toilet and 892 million people still, practice open defecation. Human waste can spread dangerous diseases. Defecating in the open, in fact, can expose people to various diseases that can threaten their life. The impact of such exposure on this scale has a devastating effect upon public health, living and working conditions, nutrition, education and economic productivity across the world. Therefore, toilets save lives.

         The World Toilet Day is a reminder that everyone should follow certain practices of personal hygiene. We are aiming to ensure that everyone has a safe toilet and that no-one practices open defecation by 2030.