XVIII Exposition of the Holy Relics of St Franis Xavier begins

The 45-day-long decennial Exposition of the Holy Relics of St Francis Xavier at the UNESCO world heritage site in Old Goa opens today.

The miraculous life of the Spanish Royal of Navarre, educated in the University of Paris, ordained a priest in Venice, given the Papal Briefs of his mission to the Indies by King of Portugal John II, and who arrived in Goa via Mozambique, is being celebrated in this tiny State of India, Goa, in a very special way at the XVIII Exposition, 482 years after he stepped on this sacred soil.

World Children's Day

 

World Children’s Day, originally known as Universal Children’s Day in 1954, is an annual global observance on November 20, serving as an awareness of how important childhood is in shaping both individuals and society.

Established by the United Nations, this day provides a platform for children’s rights and promotes their well-being by offering them access to education, protection, and growth opportunities.

 

Indira Gandhi's Birth Anniversary

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, born on 19 November 1917, was an Indian politician, stateswoman and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. She served as Prime Minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian Prime Minister, after her father.

Rani Lakshmibai's Birth Anniversary

Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, born on 19 November 1828, was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi in North India currently present in Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh, India. She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and became a symbol of resistance to the British Raj for Indian nationalists.  

International Men's Day

International Men’s Day, observed every year on November 19, is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of men to society, family, and communities while also reflecting on the challenges they face. 

With its growing recognition worldwide, this special day aims to honour the positive male role models who inspire, support, and lead in their unique ways. International Men’s Day 2024 is not only about recognising men’s achievements but also about promoting gender equality, men’s mental health awareness, and inclusive dialogue.

World Toilet Day

 

World Toilet Day has been an annual United Nations Observance since 2013. It was first celebrated in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization.

World Toilet Day is held every year on 19 November to celebrate toilets and raise awareness of people living without access to safely managed sanitation.

It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Key messages you should know on World Toilet Day

1.  Toilets are a place for peace. This essential space, at the centre of our lives, should be safe and secure. But for billions of people, sanitation is under threat from conflict, climate change, disasters and neglect.

2.  Toilets are a place for protection. By creating a barrier between us and our waste, sanitation services are essential for public and environmental health. But when toilet systems are inadequate, damaged or broken, pollution spreads and deadly diseases get unleashed.

3.  Toilets are a place for progress. Sanitation is a human right. It protects everyone’s dignity, and especially transforms the lives of women and girls. More investment and better governance of sanitation are critical for a fairer, more peaceful world.

National Naturopathy Day (India)

 

Every November 18, India celebrates National Naturopathy Day to promote better mental and physical health through natural, drug-free therapies. This observance, launched in 2018 by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), honours Mahatma Gandhi’s advocacy for Nature Cure, which he championed in 1945.

History of National Naturopathy

Naturopathy had its roots in 19th-century Germany before making its way to the United States.

The term 'naturopathy' was first used by John Schell in 1895. Still, Benedict Lust, known as the 'Father of Modern Naturopathy,' popularised it in the U.S. Lust emphasised the 'Water Cure System,' or hydrotherapy, which became a cornerstone of naturopathy practices.

Naturopathy is one of the oldest healthcare systems, combining traditional healing methods with modern scientific knowledge.

It focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal, emphasising treatments like diet, exercise, fasting, hydrotherapy, homoeopathy, botanical medicine, detoxification, and lifestyle counselling.

Significance of Naturopathy in India

In India, naturopathy gained prominence with the translation of The New Science of Healing by German nutritionist Louis Kuhne.

It was first translated into Telugu by Dronamraju Venkatachalapathy Sarma in 1894 and later into Hindi and Urdu by Shri Shroti Kishan Swaroop in 1904.

These efforts helped spread the principles of naturopathy across the country.

States like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh played an essential role in promoting naturopathy.

Local communities in these regions actively supported and adopted its practices, helping the movement flourish nationwide.