World Zoonoses Day

Every year, July 6 marks World Zoonoses Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about zoonotic diseases. These diseases, transmitted between animals and humans, have significant implications for public health, animal health, and the environment. World Zoonoses Day highlights the importance of research, prevention, and collaboration in tackling these diseases.

World Zoonoses Day is observed to celebrate the work of French biologist Louis Pasteur, who successfully administered the first rabies vaccine to a little boy Joseph Meister on July 6, 1885. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone in medical science and public health, demonstrating the potential to control and prevent zoonotic diseases through vaccination and scientific innovation. 

The observance of World Zoonoses Day began in the 20th century, driven by the growing recognition of the impact of zoonotic diseases. Events and activities on this day aim to educate the public about the risks associated with these diseases and promote practices that reduce their transmission. Over the years, World Zoonoses Day has evolved into a global platform for sharing knowledge, advancing research, and advocating for policies that protect both human and animal health.

Significance of World Zoonoses Day

Zoonotic diseases are a major public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, zoonotic diseases account for about 60% of all infectious diseases in humans and over 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, Lyme disease, Ebola, SARS, and, more recently, COVID-19. These diseases can have devastating impacts on public health, economies, and livelihoods.

1. Raising Awareness

World Zoonoses Day serves as a platform to educate the public about the risks and prevention of zoonotic diseases. Awareness campaigns highlight the importance of hygiene, safe handling of animals, and vaccination. Educating people about how to minimise risks associated with animal interactions is crucial in preventing the spread of these diseases.

2. Promoting One Health Approach

The One Health approach recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected. World Zoonoses Day advocates for collaboration among various sectors, including healthcare, veterinary science, environmental science, and public policy. This holistic approach is essential for early detection, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases.

3. Encouraging Research and Innovation

Research plays a vital role in understanding zoonotic diseases and developing effective treatments and vaccines. World Zoonoses Day encourages governments, institutions, and private sectors to invest in research and innovation. Collaborative research efforts can lead to breakthroughs in disease prevention and management.

4. Enhancing Global Health Security

Zoonotic diseases know no borders. World Zoonoses Day emphasises the need for global cooperation to address these threats. Strengthening international partnerships and sharing information and resources are key to enhancing global health security. Preparedness and response strategies must be coordinated at a global level to effectively combat zoonotic diseases.

Conclusion

As we commemorate this day, it is vital to recognise the importance of a unified approach to health that transcends species boundaries. By fostering awareness, promoting research, and encouraging global collaboration, we can mitigate the impact of zoonotic diseases and protect the health of all living beings on our planet.

 

 

Chetan Anand's Death Anniversary

Chetan Anand, who passed away on 6 July 1997, in Mumbai, aged 76, was a Bollywood film producer, screenwriter and director from India, whose first film, Neecha Nagar, was awarded the Grand Prix Prize (now Golden Palm) at the first ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Later, he co-founded Navketan Films with his younger brother Dev Anand in 1949.

He took to film direction with the well-acclaimed movie Neecha Nagar which won the Palme d'Or award at Cannes in 1946.  It was the first film for Kamini Kaushal, became the first Indian film to gain international recognition and was the debut of Pandit  Ravi Shankar.

By the early 1950s, he and his younger brother Dev Anand had set up Navketan Productions in Bombay present day Mumbai. Afsar,  starring Dev Anand and Suraiya, was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success. It was followed by Taxi Driver and Aandhiyan, both of which he directed for Navketan Films.

While he made his reputation as a director, Anand kept on acting too occasionally. He appeared in Humsafar made in 1957. In 1957, he directed two movies Arpan and Anjali, in which he played lead roles too. He went on to act in Kala Bazar, Kinare-Kinare, Aman, Kanch Aur Heera and Hindustan Ki Kasam, which he also directed.

Anand started his own production company called Himalaya films  and teamed up with the photographer Jal Mistry, music director Madan Mohan, lyrics writer Kaifi Azmi and the actress Priya Rajvansh. Together, they made some of most memorable and unique films in Hindi cinema like Haqeeqat, Heer Raanjha, Hanste Zakhm, and Hindustani Ki Kasam.

Apart from 17 feature films he is also known for the acclaimed television serial, Param Vir Chakra, which was a Broadcast by Doordarshan in 1988.

 

 

Dhirubhai Ambani's Death Anniversary

Dhirubhai Ambani, who passed away on 6 July 2002, in Mumbai, aged 69, was an Indian industrialist who was the founder of Reliance Industries, a giant petrochemicals, communications, power, and textiles conglomerate that was the biggest exporter in India and the first privately owned Indian company in the Fortune 500.

Ambani was the third of five children born to a village schoolteacher and his wife, and he grew up in a family of modest means. At the age of 17, he migrated to the British colony of Aden to join his brother. He started his career as a clerk at A. Besse & Co., which in the 1950s was the largest transcontinental trading firm east of Suez. There he learned trading, accounting, and other business skills. In 1958 Ambani returned to India and settled in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Ambani began a business trading in spices in the late 1950s, calling his nascent venture Reliance Commercial Corporation. He soon expanded into other commodities, following a strategy of offering higher-quality products and accepting smaller profits than his competitors. His business grew quickly. After deciding that the corporation had gone as far as it could with commodities, Ambani turned his attention to synthetic textiles. He made his first foray into backward integration with the opening of the first Reliance textile mill in 1966. Continuing a policy of backward integration and diversification, he gradually shaped Reliance into a petrochemicals behemoth and later added plastics and power generation to the company’s businesses.

In 1977 Ambani took Reliance public after nationalized banks refused to finance him. His agility in navigating a stodgy economy and crippling government regulations and bureaucracy led to allegations of political manipulation, corruption, and engineered raids on competitors, but investor confidence in Reliance remained unshaken—owing in part to the handsome dividends the company offered, as well as the founder’s charisma and vision. Ambani was credited with introducing the stock market to the average investor in India, and thousands attended the Reliance annual general meetings, which were sometimes held in a sports stadium, with many more watching on television.'

Ambani handed over the day-to-day running of the company to his sons, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani, in the mid-1980s but continued to oversee the company until shortly before his death in 2002.

International Kissing Day

A kiss can show many feelings, like love, passion, comfort, and joy. It can make the connection between two people stronger and bring them closer. Kissing is a universal way to communicate that goes beyond borders, cultures, and ages. It's a simple and personal act that can express a lot without needing any words.

International Kissing Day is a delightful occasion dedicated to celebrating the simple yet profound act of kissing. Observed on July 6th each year, this day is all about recognizing the joy and significance of kisses in our lives. From a tender peck on the cheek to a passionate embrace, kissing plays a crucial role in expressing love, affection, and connection.

This special day reminds us of the important role kisses have in various cultures and relationships around the world. Whether you're sharing a sweet moment with a partner or exchanging a friendly greeting, International Kissing Day is the perfect opportunity to appreciate and celebrate this universal gesture of affection.

History:

The ritual of kissing started with the Romans who used three forms of kissing to express themselves - the osculum (peck on the cheek), savium (eager mouth kisses) and basium (kisses on the lips). The French people started the French kiss during the World War I.

Significance:

While it is a beautiful thing to express our emotions to the person we love, we should always know to ask for consent before we kiss someone. A kiss, placed inappropriately, can make a person uncomfortable. A kiss is meant for making the other person feel loved and cared for. International Kissing Day is observed to understand the benefits of kissing and how it is important for expressing our feelings.