Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis' Birth Anniversary

 

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, born on 29 June 1893 in Calcutta [now Kolkata], was an Indian statistician who devised the Mahalanobis distance and was instrumental in formulating India’s strategy for industrialization in the Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61).

Born to an academically oriented family, Mahalanobis pursued his early education in Calcutta (now Kolkata). After graduating with honours in physics from Presidency College, Calcutta, in 1912, he moved to England to study physics and mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Just before Mahalanobis left the university in 1915, he was introduced to statistics by one of his tutors. When he returned to India, he accepted a temporary position teaching physics at Presidency College, and he became a professor of physics there in 1922. However, his interest in statistics had evolved into a serious academic pursuit, and he applied statistical methods to problems in anthropology, meteorology, and biology. On 17 December 1931, he established the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta.

Mahalanobis devised a measure of comparison between two data sets that is now known as the Mahalanobis distance. He introduced innovative techniques for conducting large-scale sample surveys and calculated acreages and crop yields by using the method of random sampling. He devised a statistical method called fractile graphical analysis, which could be used to compare the socioeconomic conditions of different groups of people. He also applied statistics to economic planning for flood control.

With the objective of providing comprehensive socioeconomic statistics, Mahalanobis established the National Sample Survey in 1950 and also set up the Central Statistical Organization to coordinate statistical activities in India. He was also a member of the Planning Commission of India from 1955 to 1967. The Planning Commission’s Second Five-Year Plan encouraged the development of heavy industry in India and relied on Mahalanobis’s mathematical description of the Indian economy, which later became known as the Mahalanobis model.

Mahalanobis held several national and international portfolios. He served as the chairman of the United Nations Sub-Commission on Sampling from 1947 to 1951 and was appointed the honorary statistical adviser to the government of India in 1949. For his pioneering work, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest honours, by the Indian government in 1968.

 

 

International Mud Day

International Mud Day is celebrated on June 29 every year. This day is dedicated to children and their love for playing in the mud. It's a day to get creative and have fun with mess.

Every year, children from all over the world come together to celebrate International Mud Day. They get to play in the mud and have fun with nature. The day is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness and access to sanitation in different parts of the world.

International Mud Day: History

International Mud Day was founded in 2009 by Gillian McAuliffe and Bishnu Bhatta, two members of the Nature Action Collaborative for Children. The idea for the day came about after McAuliffe, who lives in Australia, learned about the lack of mud in her country and the challenges that children in Nepal faced in accessing clean water and sanitation. She decided to start a campaign to raise money to send clothes and soap to the children in Nepal, and the campaign was so successful that they were able to raise enough money to organize an event for the Nepali children of the Panchkhal orphanage. At the event, the children were able to play in the mud for the first time in five months, and they also had their first meat meal in that time.

Since then, International Mud Day has been celebrated every year on 29 June and it has become a global event that brings children from all over the world together to play in the mud and raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness and access to sanitation.

International Mud Day: Significance

- Provides an opportunity for children to play and have fun with mud, while also raising awareness about cleanliness and access to sanitation in different parts of the world.

- Brings children from all over the world together through nature and play, allowing them to observe nature, the outdoors, and mess.

- Helps build immunity as exposure to bacteria from mud has been proven beneficial to human health, promoting development of immunity rather than living in a sterile environment.

International Mud Day: Activities

One way to celebrate International Mud Day is to take a mud bath. You can collect a large amount of mud from your garden, mix it with water, and use it to fill a giant inflatable pool. This is a great way to reconnect with nature and is also beneficial to your skin.

Another way to celebrate International Mud Day is to make a mud city in your backyard. You don't have to go to the beach to make castles. You can use mud and even create an entire city in your backyard! This is a great way to get creative and have fun with nature.

Finally, you can also host a mud-cake decorating party. Set out a bucket of mud and some spoons, as well as styrofoam produce trays and muffin tins for your guests. Making and decorating wedding cakes, birthday cakes, cupcakes, and muffins will be a blast for them.

International Day of the Tropics

 

International Day of the Tropics is observed annually on June 29. Its purpose is to acknowledge the extraordinary variety of the tropics while shedding more light on the distinctive challenges and opportunities that are faced by tropical areas. To raise awareness about the specific challenges of tropical countries at all levels, and the implications and issues affecting the world’s tropical regions, the International Day of the Tropics is observed on June 29 all across the globe.

Significance of International Day of the Tropics

The International Day of the Tropics celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the tropics while highlighting unique challenges and opportunities nations of the Tropics face. It provides an opportunity to take stock of progress across the tropics, to share tropical stories and expertise and to acknowledge the diversity and potential of the region.

The Tropics are a region of the Earth, roughly defined as the area between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. Although topography and other factors contribute to climatic variation, tropical locations are typically warm and experience little seasonal change in day-to-day temperature. An important feature of the Tropics is the prevalence of rain in the moist inner regions near the equator, and that the seasonality of rainfall increases with the distance from the equator. The tropical region faces several challenges such as climate change, deforestation, logging, urbanisation and demographic changes.

History of International Day of the Tropics

The inaugural State of the Tropics Report was launched on 29 June 2014, as the culmination of a collaboration between twelve leading tropical research institutions. The report offers a unique perspective on this increasingly important region. Marking the anniversary of the report’s launch the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/267 in 2016, which declared that 29 June of each year is to be observed as the International Day of the Tropics.

The International Day of the Tropics was designated to raise awareness to the specific challenges faced by tropical areas, the far-reaching implications of the issues affecting the world’s tropical zone and the need, at all levels, to raise awareness and to underline the important role that countries in the tropics will play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Internal Autonomy Day

Internal Autonomy Day is observed on June 29 every year in French Polynesia. It honours Tahitian and French Polynesian self-rule. Additionally, it marks the annexation of the Kingdom of Tahiti and the handover of control to France by King Pomare V. While many political parties celebrate the day with festivities, some also believe it should be a day of mourning instead. Nonetheless, celebrations happen mainly in the national capital of Papeete and include parades, entertainment, and concerts. The actual date French Polynesia achieved internal autonomy was September 6, 1984.

Seychelles Independence Day

Seychelles Independence Day takes place on June 29. The Seychelles has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations ever since it was granted independence from Britain in 1976. The anniversary of their independence is usually celebrated by a vibrant display of pride and patriotism that spreads throughout the city. Streets are usually decorated with the bright colours of the Seychelles flag. Even the lamp posts are also decorated with twinkling lights. The skies light up at night due to the fascinating fireworks.

International Fisherman Day

International Fisherman Day, observed annually on 29th June, pays tribute to the courageous men and women who brave the waters to provide sustenance and livelihoods through fishing. This day recognizes the invaluable contributions of fishermen worldwide, highlighting their resilience, skills, and the challenges they face.

Significance of International Fisherman Day

International Fisherman Day holds significance as it honours the dedication and hard work of fishermen who play a vital role in feeding communities and supporting economies around the world. Fishermen have been integral to human civilization for centuries, providing a vital food source and contributing to cultural traditions and coastal livelihoods. This day serves as a reminder of their essential role in sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation efforts.

Role of Fishermen in Society

Fishermen play multiple roles in society beyond their primary task of fishing:

Food Security: Fishermen contribute significantly to global food security by harvesting fish and seafood, which are essential protein sources for millions of people worldwide.

Economic Livelihoods: Fishing provides livelihoods for millions of individuals and communities, particularly in coastal regions where fishing is a primary economic activity.

Cultural Heritage: Fishing traditions and practices are deeply rooted in cultural heritage, passed down through generations, and contribute to the cultural identity of coastal communities.

Challenges Faced by Fishermen

Despite their crucial role, fishermen encounter various challenges:

Overfishing and Sustainability: Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices threaten marine biodiversity and fish stocks, impacting the long-term viability of fisheries.

Climate Change: Climate change affects ocean ecosystems, altering fish habitats and migration patterns, and thereby impacting fishing yields and livelihoods.

Economic Pressures: Fluctuating fish prices, rising operational costs, and competition from industrial fishing fleets pose economic challenges for small-scale fishermen.

 

How International Fisherman Day is Celebrated

International Fisherman Day is celebrated in various ways worldwide to honour fishermen and raise awareness about marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices:

Community Events and Festivals: Coastal communities organize events, festivals, and ceremonies to celebrate fishermen, featuring traditional music, dance, and culinary delights prepared with fresh seafood.

Fishermen Awards and Recognitions: Governments, organizations, and communities recognize outstanding fishermen for their contributions to fisheries management, sustainability, and community development.

Workshops and Seminars: Educational workshops and seminars are conducted to educate fishermen and the public about sustainable fishing techniques, marine conservation, and safety at sea.

Coastal Clean-up Campaigns: Volunteer-driven coastal clean-up campaigns aim to remove marine debris and promote clean oceans, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship.

Social Media Campaigns: Social media platforms are used to share stories, photos, and videos honouring fishermen, and raising awareness about their challenges and achievements.