World Elephant Day

Every Year, World Elephant Day is observed on August 12 to raise awareness about the challenges in elephant conservation and their protection worldwide. Elephants are considered one of the friendliest animals on the Earth and play an important role in balancing the ecosystem.

Elephant Day emphasises addressing the challenges in their survival and habitat loss. It is an opportunity to make people aware of the importance of these wild animals and to take action to protect them. 

World Elephant Day: History

Patricia Sims of Canada and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand – a project of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand – joined forces to establish World Elephant Day on August 12, 2012. Since then, Patricia has been in charge of World Elephant Day.

This action was taken to make people aware as the project has partnered with over 100 organisations dedicated to conserving elephants and reaching countless people worldwide. By commemorating World Elephant Day, millions of people worldwide demonstrated their concern for the conditions of elephants and their willingness to provide a hand in any way they can.

World Elephant Day: Significance

Elephants consume huge amounts of grass daily dispersing seeds wherever they go as they are significant grazers and browsers. 

The elephants play a vital role in forming the Asian landscape's frequently dense vegetation. For example, elephants cut trees and leave openings in them so that sunlight may reach newly planted seedlings. It promotes the growth and the natural regeneration of forests.

World Elephant Day provides a platform for groups and people to get together to raise awareness of the problems facing elephants. From citizens to lawmakers and governments, all are making efforts to unite forces across the world to frame conservation strategies ensuring elephants and their habitat remain safe for future generations to enjoy.

Different Types of Elephants

Elephants are mainly classified into two main species; Asian and African elephants.

Due to growing population and industrialisation, habitat encroachment is now considerably worse for Asian and African elephants increasing the likelihood of human-elephant conflict. 

World Elephant Day has been successful in raising awareness for the protection of elephants and the need for global movement. 

Interesting Facts about Elephant

·        The African Savanna (Bush) is the world's largest land animal and weighs around 6,000 kg on average. 

·        The elephant baby weighs around 120 kg at the time of birth which is around 19 stone. 

·        Three species of elephants are the African Savanna (Bush), African Forest and Asian. 

·        Elephants have around 1,50,000 muscle units in their trunks which are the most sensitive organ of the mammal. 

·        Elephant trunks can save up to 6 litres of water and they use their trunks as a snorkel while swimming. 

·        Elephants communicate through a variety of ways such as trumpet calls, body language, touch and scent.

Enid Blyton's Birth Anniversary

 

Enid Blyton, born on 11 August 1897, in East Dulwich, London, England was a prolific and highly popular British author of stories, poems, plays, and educational books for children.

Blyton, the daughter of a businessman, abandoned her early studies in music to train as a schoolteacher at the Ipswich High School (1916–18). Her first publication was a poem that appeared in a children’s magazine when she was only 14, and in 1917 another of her poems was published in Nash’s Magazine. Blyton worked briefly as a teacher and governess, but by 1921 her stories and poems were appearing steadily in various magazines, and her first book of poems, Child Whispers, was published in 1922. Blyton devoted herself full-time to writing from about 1924. From then until about 1965, she wrote more than 600 children’s books and wrote innumerable articles for magazines. Some of her stories first appeared in Enid Blyton’s Sunny Stories (1937–52) and other magazines she founded and edited over the years.

Most of Blyton’s fiction consists of mystery or adventure stories, though schools and circuses form the settings of others. Her Famous Five, Secret Seven, and Mystery series of books were widely read, and in the 1950s her Little Noddy series, featuring the adventures of Little Noddy, Mr. Plod the policeman, Big Ears, and other characters of Toyland Village, enjoyed enormous popularity and made her a household name. Blyton’s books feature clearly delineated good and bad characters and have exciting plots that illustrate traditional moral lessons. Her vocabulary and prose style are simple and highly accessible to beginning readers. Blyton came under some criticism for her stereotyped characters and simplistic viewpoint, but her remarkable popularity with young readers has remained undiminished, and new editions of her books continue to appear. By the early 21st century her books had sold some 400 million copies and been translated into at least 90 languages. In 2009, in honour of the 60th birthday of Blyton’s Noddy character in Noddy Goes to Toyland, Blyton’s granddaughter Sophie Smallwood published a new Noddy book, Noddy and the Farmyard Muddle, with illustrations by Blyton’s own illustrator, Robert Tyndall.

 

 

World Lion Day

World Lion Day is a global event celebrated on August 10 is dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of lions, often referred to as the "King of the Jungle." This day aims to highlight the importance of lions in the ecosystem and the urgent need to protect them from various threats.

World Lion Day serves as a reminder of the vital role lions play in maintaining ecological balance and promoting conservation initiatives.

World Lion Day History

World Lion Day was first established in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue, the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to lions, and was co-founded by Dereck and Beverly Joubert. The Jouberts, a husband-and-wife team, recognised the need to draw attention to the declining lion populations and the threats they were facing in the wild. In 2009, they approached “National Geographic” and formed a partnership to create the Big Cat Initiative (B.C.I.).

Later in 2013, they began an initiative to unite National Geographic and the Big Cat Initiative under a single banner to protect the remaining big cats living in the wild. Since then, World Lion Day has been observed annually on August 10 to raise awareness about the conservation issues faced by lions and to celebrate the beauty and significance of these iconic big cats.

World Lion Day Significance

World Lion Day plays a vital role in rallying support and action to ensure a future for these remarkable animals in the wild by highlighting the conservation needs of lions. The day aims to educate people about the importance of lions in ecosystems and their cultural significance, emphasising the urgent need for their conservation.

Celebration

On World Lion Day, the unique qualities of lions are celebrated through various forms of art, photography, and cultural events. Numerous organisations, wildlife conservation groups, and individuals participate in activities and campaigns or use this day to raise funds for lion conservation projects, anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and research initiatives. Workshops, seminars, webinars, and public talks are frequently organised to provide information about lions, their behaviour, the threats they face, and conservation strategies.

By raising awareness and educating the public, World Lion Day aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of lions, contributing to their preservation and the overall health of ecosystems where they play a crucial role.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

 

Every year on August 9, the world comes together to recognise and celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions, and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a platform to amplify their voices, promote self-determination, and advocate for their rights. This article delves into the significance of this day, the history behind it, and the pressing issues Indigenous communities continue to grapple with. 

Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of their lands, carrying with them invaluable knowledge and traditions that have shaped our planet for millennia. Their deep connection to the environment and their sustainable practices offers crucial insights into addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

What is the History of International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples?

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed August 9th as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in 1994. This date commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982. This decision marked a crucial step in acknowledging the unique circumstances and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

The UNESCO website mentions: “In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This date, adopted in December 1994 by UN General Assembly resolution 49/214, marks the date of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Geneva in 1982.”

What is the Significance of International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples?

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9th, is a crucial platform to:

·        Raise awareness: It highlights the plight of indigenous populations worldwide, often marginalised and facing threats to their cultures, lands, and livelihoods.   

·        Protect rights: The day emphasises the importance of upholding the rights of indigenous peoples, including their right to self-determination, cultural preservation, and access to resources.   

·        Recognise contributions: It acknowledges the significant contributions of indigenous peoples to biodiversity conservation, traditional knowledge, and sustainable development.   

·        Promote diversity: The day celebrates the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, languages, and worldviews, contributing to global cultural diversity.   

·        Foster collaboration: It encourages collaboration between indigenous communities, governments, and international organisations to address their challenges and build a more inclusive future.

International Cat Day

 

International Cat Day which is also known as World Cat Day is observed every year on August 8. International Cat Day not only celebrates the bond and friendship that human share with cats but also care for them and provide safety. Cat Day was established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002 to appreciate and honour cats. International Cat Day celebrates one of humanity's oldest and cutest friends-cats who make us laugh with their funny and adorable actions. For an appreciation of the furry little friends, International Cat Day y is celebrated with great enthusiasm everywhere.

History

For several years, scientists are trying to solve the mystery of where cats evolved. According to some sources, a wildcat was buried near the corpse of a person who lived approximately 9,500 years ago. From this, it came to be known that humans may have had a relationship with these four-legged animal cats. According to some scientists, cat ownership can be traced way back to central China about 5,500 years ago.

Some scientists say that farming or agriculture was being practised since ancient times. So, with agriculture that is surplus of grain rodents came and to combat with the rodent infestations, farmers began to domesticate wildcats. And over the years these wild cats evolved.

According to another source, ancient Egyptians were the first civilisation to domesticate cats that lived around 4,000 years ago. Cats were reared, they help in keeping away from pests, and rodents and help people to survive properly.

Originally, the International Cat Day was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animals Welfare to advocate the day for cats.

Why International Cat Day is celebrated?

International Cat Day is observed annually to promote the adoption of cats, honour, and applaud their companionship and create a friendly environment for them. Also, the day advocates for responsible pet ownership and encourage spaying and neutering to control the stray population. 

How International Cat Day is celebrated?

People post several videos with cats and click cute photos of cats that went viral via the internet. Cat lovers also share videos of their cats to attract other cat lovers. Cats are the most common pet that seeks almost the attention of pet lovers on the internet. Cute pictures of cats are available in most shops and Internet. People visit a cat cafe, donate to a cat charity, provide shelter to the local animal cat etc. Various varieties of cats are Tonkinese, Turkish Van, Himalayan, American Shorthair, Burmilla, Russian Blue, Nebelung, Turkish Angora, Scottish Fold, Siberian, Bengal, Maine Coon etc.

 

 

National Handloom Day - India

The National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7 every year in India. The day recognizes and honours the contribution of handloom weavers to the nation's economy and culture. India's handloom sector has a long history of cultural development. It has been passed down from generation to generation, whether they are intricate designs or traditional patterns and prints. The day also marks India's reaffirmation of protecting its glorious handloom heritage and empowering weavers and workers with greater opportunities to ensure livelihoods.

The Indian artisan community has done a great job of preserving the art by producing contemporary adaptations that satisfy contemporary consumers. The day aims to raise awareness of the value of the handloom industry and its role in the nation's socioeconomic growth. 

History

The origin of National Handloom Day has its roots back in the Swadeshi Movement of 1905. The objective of the movement was to boycott British goods in favour of Indian-made products. Notably, handloom textiles were one of the essential products that were widely promoted during this time.

Notably, this is the 10th Handloom Day in India. The first Handloom Day was celebrated in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai. Now, it is celebrated across the country with a variety of events and activities.

Significance

India's handloom industry employs 35 lakh people directly or indirectly, making it the second largest employer in the nation after agriculture. There are exquisite variations of handloom weaving in every region, and the craft is associated with traditional values. Customers from all over the world are drawn to the distinctive weaves, designs, and traditional motifs of items like Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, Madhubani, Kosa, Ikkat, Patola, Tussar Silk, Maheshwari, Moirang Phee, Baluchari, Phulkari, Laheriya, Khandua, and Tangaliya, to mention a few.

Hiroshima Day

 

Hiroshima Day is observed every year on August 6 to remember the tragic event of World War II in 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan’s Hiroshima which led to extreme destruction and loss of life. This year, the world is commemorating the 79th anniversary of the day that changed the course of history.

This day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons and the importance of working to make this world free of such weapons of mass destruction. Hiroshima Day is also observed to remember the colossal loss of life during the Hiroshima bombing and reflects on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare. 

History

During World War 2, Japan refused to surrender before the Allied forces and, resultantly, the United States dropped an atomic bomb (named Little Boy) on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, using a B-29 bomber. This was a devastating attack and wiped out around 39 per cent of the population of the city. In fact, this didn’t satisfy the aggressor, and they went on to drop another atomic bomb on Nagasaki. 

After bearing the brunt of two atomic bombs on its important cities, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced an unconditional surrender in World War II on August 15 after facing unimaginable devastation caused by the bombings. Japan’s surrender ended World War II. The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki faced the after-effects of the atomic bomb for several years after the bombings. 

Significance

The tragic incident of 1945 completely destroyed the city and left the country to deal with its dreadful fate. This day is important to remind all the politicians, diplomats and envoys around the world that all wars are terrible, nuclear wars are more life-threatening and diplomacy is the only way to move forward in the 21st century. However, despite all efforts, the world hasn’t rid itself of the weapons of mass destruction with many countries in possession of them. Today, only nine countries in the world hold over 13,000 nuclear weapons. 

Observance

On this day, people visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which is an essential place to experience all the documentation of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. It is a centrepiece of the day's activities where people gather in a ceremony honouring the victims and pledge to work for a world free of nuclear weapons. This day should bring hope to the atmosphere reinforcing the peace message.