Soil: The Incredible Intelligence Beneath Our Feet. What is the one thing we cannot live without, yet we do not value it enough? About 90% of living organisms live or spent part of their lifecycle in soils, yet we know only 1% of this hidden universe. “We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the ground underfoot”, observes Leonardo da Vinci. World Soil Day on 5 December is the United Nations Observance that celebrates healthy soils for a food-secure future. The movement to “Go Organic” is a welcome development. Observing days like this is to acknowledge the contributions of the farming community in ensuring food security and the drive to take care of the health of the soil.
15% of the world’s population, are disabled in some form or the other. 80% of them live in developing countries, ~ 46% of them are people aged 60 plus years. December 3rd is proclaimed as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” by the UN in 1992 and is observed since then. It is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability and increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance. Unfortunately, not all disabilities are visible and understanding the same is the challenge. As Stephen Hawking demonstrated, concentrate on things your disability does not prevent you from doing well. All of us have the responsibility to make this world a better place. Bringing awareness goes a long way in bridging the gaps. Observation of days like these are opportunities to motivate people and societies to work to get that balance.
Pollution is a global concern today which directly influences the future of all the organisms on the earth. In India, National pollution control day is observed on 2nd December annually to commemorate the memory of lives lost in the Bhopal gas tragedy. According to WHO, air pollution results in the death of seven million people every year and 9 out of 10 people do not have access to safe air. 13 of the world’s 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India. There is a need to develop stringent recycling systems for the industries to reduce pollution. New budding enterprises that work on reducing pollution and encouraging sustainable have seen success in recent times. When India is struggling to cope up with the COVID pandemic, and raising cases threatening the national capital of India, stubble burning in the neighbouring states is complicating the issue. Researchers have come out with novel methods to overcome this; brining awareness is essential to make such technologies to reach out to farmers. While the cause of pollution is known to everyone, it is raising awareness of managing pollution is the need of the hours. Humanity has the responsibility to leave the planet inhabitable to future generations.
World AIDS Day on December 1. It is an international day focussed on raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Mourning those who have died of the disease. AIDS has a far-reaching impact on the economic, cultural, and social aspects. It drains the economy of the country and has a tremendous economic burden on the affected families. The stigma associated and lack of awareness and compassion for the people infected by AIDS are the issues the societies must ponder. A society like India where talking about sex is a taboo and no steps taken to educate the young on matters relating to sex, and a lot needs to be done. Bringing awareness and reaching out to the affected people needs to be given impetus. Word needs Solidarity, and it is a shared responsibility.
Chemical warfare uses the toxic properties of chemical substances (manufactured) to kill, injure or incapacitate the enemy. The “Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare” is an annual event held on November 30 as a tribute to the victims of chemical warfare. More than 100 years after the first large‑scale use of chemical weapons in battle, they continue to inflict terror, suffering and death. Chemical weapons meant for mass destruction were used during World War I. Used again during World War II, the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s taking lives of innocent civilians. Chemical weapons are of great concern because they are cheaper and easier to manufacture and deliver than nuclear or biological weapons. The use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances, is intolerable. Those responsible must be brought to justice, and this independent of who is using such weapons.
Nothing good ever comes of violence. Hence the question, isn’t it silly that it still exists, then? Martin Luther questions. 1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner. 1 in 2 women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family. The numbers speak for themselves and the challenge on hand! Violence is not merely killing another, it is using a sharp word, make a gesture to brush away a person, create fear, violence is much more subtle. UN-designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in 1999. It is being observed to raise awareness about what women around the world are subjected to: rape, violence, including domestic. A Shadow Pandemic is growing during the COVID outbreak, an increase of all types of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence. More needs to be done to address this and find solutions.
It is International Children’s day, A day to reimagine a better future for every child. The United Nations on November 20 1959, adopted the declaration of rights of the child. The declaration emphasises on the fundamental rights of children which are nutrition, safe environment, education, and moral support. It is reported that there are about 152 million children worldwide working as child labourers and India accounts for 7.3% of it. The current COVID19 pandemic has been a massive blow on the efforts of reducing child labour. It is also of utmost importance that we focus on the mental wellbeing of children in the post-pandemic period and be patient when the young ones gradually adapt to the system.
It was a mixed feeling at the time of writing the log for “ToonLogs” on the topic “World Toilet Day”. That of discomfort and troubling questions! Why “Toilet Day” is being observed even after the world has made so much progress? Humans are planning a Mars mission, thinking of building a transit colony for humans on Moon? The stark reality of the situation is worrisome. Over half of the global population lack safe sanitation, and 40% in the world – live without basic handwashing facilities like soap and water and more than 600 million people practice open defecation. What a frightening situation we are in? Inadequate sanitation is directly linked to various health issues. Nearly half a million people die of diarrhoea every year. In rural areas, young girls drop out of schools due to inadequate sanitation facilities in schools. Since 2012, 17th of November is observed as World toilet day to spread awareness on the importance of sustainable sanitation and overcome the current sanitation crisis in many parts of the world. Recall PM Narendra Modi’s famous slogan, ‘Pehle shauchalaya, phir devalaya’ (first toilet only then Temple)! This was implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Governments “Clean India” mission aims to construct more than 100 million latrines in five years. It is not only a problem of lack of infrastructure or facilities, the mindset and bringing awareness plays an important role.
Human beings aim to achieve progress and enhance the quality of their lives. Governments and societies work towards realising the same- all the developments in Science and Technology aimed at attaining all-round development. In a hurry to progress and achieve success, people and societies are becoming less tolerant. Understanding the diversity and accepting the same is essential and the need of the times. Tolerance is an attribute that helps people to live together peacefully. International Day for Tolerance marked on November 16 is observed to build tolerance among the cultures and people. Newer forms of personnel expression and likes and dislikes are throwing up challenges, be it acknowledging the rights of LGBTQ community, same-sex marriages, or rights of transgender communities. Most of the toxic environments in the workplace are the result of deep-rooted beliefs based on gender, caste, religion, and race. Changing times is adding newer dimensions to being tolerant. Elders being unsuspecting to younger generation approach to life and the younger generation understanding the value systems of elders. Indian scriptures highlighted the importance of being with peace with oneself and work together to sharpen the intellect and eliminate hate. Let us all take a step forward and make the society to be more accepting, tolerant and make the world a better and safe place for everyone in it.
It is 25 years since a day dedicated to remembering road traffic victims began to be observed. Third Sunday in November is observed as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, every year. Deaths and injuries are traumatic and their impact is long-lasting. Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved people are getting added. One person is killed every 25 seconds, with low-income countries having the highest annual fatality rates. The number of fatalities due to road accidents is more in India. ~17 accident-related deaths occur across India every hour. India has about 1% of the world’s vehicle population, but it accounts for about 6% of the road traffic incidents. Injuries due to traffic accidents are preventable. There is a need to take action to address road safety holistically. Involvement from various sectors, transport, police, health, education, is required. One is to have rules and regulations, and more challenging is to ensure adherence of the same. Bringing awareness about the consequences of traffic accidents is essential and days like this to remember is in that direction. Life is precious to the individuals, it is as much to the families, societies, and countries. Each year, about three to five per cent of the country’s GDP was invested in road accidents. Sustainable Development Goals has an ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes.
