Zoonoses or Zoonosis is an infectious disease caused by a pathogen that has jumped from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa. More than 150 zoonotic diseases are known to exist. The word Zoonoses derived from Greek, where Zoon means animal and noses means Sickness. World Zoonoses Day is a global awareness day observed on 6th July every year. It is on this day in 1885, Louise Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies. The world is battling to cope up with the damage caused by COVID (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which is zoonotic. Already more than 4 million people lost their lives due to COVID. The world has been experiencing zoonotic diseases. Some of them in the recent past are SARS in 2003, H1N1 in 2009, MERS in 2012, Salmonellosis in 2015 and Ebola in West Africa in 2014-16. ~70% of all emerging and re-emerging pathogens are zoonotic. What is not accounted for and perhaps challenging to do so is the societal impacts of such disease. Environmental change and human behaviour are leading to enhanced zoonotic diseases. Rapid urbanisation and population growth bring people closer to animal species they may never have been near before. There is a need to change our interaction and relationship with animals. Unless we do so, the next disease-X would be threatening to emerge. The ways of growing and consuming food also need a change. Need to invest in an interdisciplinary approach to find solutions, “One Health” is one such. The health of animals, people, plants, and the environment are interconnected.
Cooperatives have contributed to solving major global issues. Cooperatives are associations and enterprises that allow people to improve their lives while contributing to their community and overall development. International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday of July every year (July 3 in 2021). It aims at increasing awareness about the role played by the cooperatives and their contributions in realising the UNs goals and objectives of the international cooperative movement. According to the UN, around 3 million cooperatives worldwide, comprising 12% of the world population. They employ 280 million people across the globe (10% of the world’s employed people). The first consumer cooperative society was established in 1844 in Manchester in England. In India, the erstwhile Madras state was the pioneer in the field of the cooperative movement. The Triplicane Urban Cooperative Society Limited was the first consumer cooperative society set up in 1904. India being an agrarian society, with more than half of its population still residing in the villages, cooperative societies play a significant role in the developmental efforts. They are major sources for credit, and cooperatives cover more than 97%of Indian villages, some run by their members and some by the government. There are many success stories; amongst them are Amul, Indian Coffee House, Lijjat Papad Khadi and Gramodyog Sahakari Utpadana Sangha. 2020 has been a challenging year. The COVID pandemic took a toll on everyone, and cooperatives have not been an exception. Some of them showed incredible resilience throughout the crisis. There is a need to introduce cooperative education in school curricula to enable the new generation to equip themselves with tools to establish more just and democratic enterprises.
Doctors are always kept on a high pedestal in our society and considered as God transcending in the form of a doctor to treat the person. National Doctors Day is celebrated on July 1 (started from 1991) to honour the doctors and physicians for their omen service rendered to humanity. With COVID impacting almost everyone, hospitals getting crowded large number of people seeking help, it has never been more important to appreciate the efforts of doctors. National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on July 1 to honour Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (known popularly as BC Roy), Dhanvantari of the modern era. Incidentally, July 1 happened to be both the birth and death anniversary of BC Roy. There are more than 12 lakhs allopathic and 7.88 lakhs AYUSH doctors in the country. The ratio of 1.848 compared to what is prescribed by WHO of 1:1000. While the average is good, but disparities amongst the states and urban & Rural is disheartening. While the cities have more than the required number of physicians, few 100 kilometres away from the cities, the number decreases alarmingly. Even though the government is making concerted efforts to enhance and support the health care system in rural India, much more needs to be done. Worldwide, the country with the highest value globally is Cuba, with a value of 8.19. India 0.778, China: 1.786, Russia: 4.014 US: 2.595. These data are likely to be referring to allopathic doctors. Doctors are unique, and the health pandemic brought to the fore, they are our real-life heroes. Doctor’s Day is an opportunity to thank all the heroes in the medical fraternity for their selfless contributions. The presence of the doctor is the beginning of the cure. “Vaidyo Narayano Hari”
Space is beautiful, fascinating, a treasure of information and infinite imaginations. Recall your childhood. The fascination sows a thought in mind and starts wondering how much of it we understand? Researchers believe that celestial objects like asteroids, meteoroids, and comets have hidden secrets that can help solve the universe’s mysteries. Realising the need for raising public awareness about the Asteroid and its impacts, the UN adopted a resolution to observe 30 June as International Asteroid Day. On this day, the Earth’s most significant asteroid incident, known as the “Tunguska asteroid event in Siberia”, happened. Astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi accidentally discovered the first and most giant Asteroid, Ceres, orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in 1801. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has landed two hopping robots onto asteroid Ryugu, making Japan the first country in the world to land rovers on an asteroid. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a test mission to begin the process of understanding how we will do this for real if it becomes necessary. A six-member team of watchdog citizens turned scientists from India led by Rekha, a science teacher, used communicators and teachers to detect the rocks, setting an industry precedent. Let us celebrate “World Asteroid Day” and continue research and observations to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Space fascinates. The depths of the skies and glittering stars and far off planets enthuse the researchers. There is a thirst for understanding what lies at a distance beyond what you can physically measure, and the challenge is to find ways to quest the thirst. Let us celebrate “World Asteroid Day” and continue research and observations to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
The UN in 2016 declared 29 June to be observed as the International Day of the Tropics to mark the anniversary of the report’s launch. The observation is a celebration of the extraordinary diversity of the tropics and raises awareness. Also, highlight the unique challenges and opportunities nations of the Tropics face. The tropics are those parts of the Earth close to the planet’s centre and lie between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. Tropical locations are warm and experience little seasonal change in day-to-day temperature. The Tropical region accounts for 40% of the world’s total surface area and hosts ~80% of the world’s biodiversity. For example, 95% of the world’s mangrove forests by area and 99% of mangrove species are found in Tropics. Deserts and snow-capped mountains also form the tropical zones, which are not tropical in the climatic sense. Amongst the diverse challenges to tropical regions are climate change and deforestation. The rate at which the world is losing forests and change in land use contributes to global warming and increased carbon emissions. Tropical countries remaining underdeveloped is the cause of concern. Population explosion, ensuring food security and increasing natural disasters are threatening the fragile ecosystems of the tropics. Tropic of Cancer—the boundary between the tropics and subtropics—passes through the middle of India. The bulk of India is regarded as climatically tropical. However, monsoonal and other weather patterns in India can be strongly variable. Droughts, heatwaves, floods, cyclones cause hardships to the citizens. Vegetative changes, sea-level rise, and India’s low-lying coastal inundation are some of the challenges India must tackle. The paradise of the tropical world is being lost and impacting people living there if corrective steps are not taken.
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning to join or unite. It was first mentioned in the Rig Veda. Evidence of the practice of Yoga can be traced back to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization (5,000 years ago). Several seals and fossil remain of the Indus Saraswati valley civilization with Yogic motives and figures performing Yoga indicate the presence of Yoga in India. Yoga does not adhere to any religion, belief system or community. Yoga combines physical, mental, and spiritual practices and brings spiritual discipline based on a highly subtle science. It is to be approached as a technology for inner wellbeing. UN adopted, with a record number of nations co-sponsoring the UN resolution to celebrate June 21 as “International Yoga Day”. The WHO mentions Yoga to improve health in its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More active people for a healthier world. While fighting the battle against the COVID epidemic, we need to keep ourselves strong both physically and mentally. Extended lockdowns restrictions in movement and meeting people have added stress and anxiety among the people, impacting mental health. It is likely to last for considerable time beyond the subsiding of the pandemic. Practising Yoga and meditation is our ammunition in our fight against the unprecedented health pandemic. The best part of Yoga is that you only need commitment and determination to practice. Rest is all with you.
Violence in any form is condemnable. All forms of violence are recorded in human history. The human trait to cause damage to other fellow human beings is deplorable. Animals do not cause harm to other creature except for satisfying their hunger. Is it due to the very nature of human beings that they might want to rule the world? Domestic violence is another form that haunts societies. It is the hunger for human beings too. Unfortunately, they have several forms of desire. While the armed conflicts, terrorist acts cause damage to fellow human beings, often resulting in many losing their lives. At no point of time in the recorded history, the world is free of armed conflicts. The deplorable consequence of many of the disputes is sexual violence. It is considered a weapon. To raise awareness and end conflict-related sexual violence, “International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict” is observed on June 19. It is the initiative of the UN. The UN adopted a resolution in 2015, and the choice of the day is as it is on this day; the Security Council passed a resolution condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war. Observation of the day is also an opportunity to honour survivors of sexual violence. Pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives worldwide when standing up against these crimes. Widely regarded as “war’s oldest crime”, sexual violence is still a grim reality in today’s conflicts. Sexual violence relating to the conflict are reported at least in 19 countries in recent years. Often the victims and survivors belong to ethnic or religious minority groups. Ancient Indian scriptures say, “Where Women are honoured, divinity blossoms there, and wherever women are dishonoured, all action no matter how noble it may remain unfruitful.” With time has humanity progressed. If yes, the world should not be seeing conflicts and, more importantly, sexual violence because of them.
Humans have altered nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s ice-free land to meet their ever-growing demands. The greed to grow more, rampant use of fertilisers, and overexploitation of land resources result in fertile areas becoming increasingly arid. Desertification and drought are the consequences of such actions. UN stresses the importance to focus on the links between consumption and land. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought came about through the UN General Assembly in 1995 and is organised every year on June 17 and would be known as “Desertification and Drought Day” from 2020 onwards. The development of deserts has occurred naturally. In recent times, human activity, improper land management, deforestation and climate change are influencing desertification. Global food security is being threatened by desertification and overpopulation. At least 90% of the inhabitants of drylands live in developing countries struggling to cope with poor economic and social conditions. Forestry in India is a significant rural industry and a major environmental resource. India is one of the ten most forest-rich countries in the world. FAO of the UN estimates India’s forest cover to be about 68 million hectares or 22% of the country’s area. There is hope with more and more people choosing organic foods and being aware of the consequences of overconsumption. Bringing awareness is the key to get more and more people to realise their responsibility. Avoiding, slowing, and reversing the loss of productive land and natural ecosystems now is the urgent need for guaranteeing the long-term survival of people and the planet. We owe it to our future generations. We owe our children the responsibility to retain the resources for them to live happily.
All kids love being around our grandparents during the growing up sate. They teach so many life-changing lessons. As one grows up, becomes busy their life journey, and tends to ignore the existence of the same elders. It is not uncommon for the elders to gradually turn into a burden. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, WHO and UN and observed on 15 June every year and started in 2006. Observation provides an opportunity for all of us to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons and raising awareness of the factors and processes resulting in neglect and abuse. Elder abuse is one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality. According to the UN, every 1 in 6 elder experiences some form of abuse in their every life. Every year there is a considerable increase in the number of elders in society. This number is expected to keep growing in the next ten years. Japan is home to the most ageing citizenry globally, with 27% of its population being 65 years of age or older. In India, there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60 years or above). Almost equivalent number of males and females. It is likely to grow to 173 million by 2026. 71% of the elderly population resides in rural areas. Indian society has a rich tradition of respecting elders. With the passing of time and the influence of other cultures, such practices are disappearing. With many younger generations migrating to far off places searching for a better quality of life, many elder couples are left behind and struggle to lead their lives, coping with the challenges posed by age-related health issues. Eldercare, community living is trying to fill the gap. Challenges get compounded if the financial condition is not sound. This is where governments need to put robust support mechanisms in place to take care of these elders. More importantly, ensure that they are not abused.
World Blood Donor Day is observed around the world on June 14. It was organised for the first time in 2005 and is a joint initiative of the WHO and Red Cross. The day was chosen as it is the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the man who discovered blood types and co-discovered the Rh factor. Even though the blood requirement for patients is universal, the availability and access to the same are not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries. The range of uses is way more diverse than anyone thinks, serious injuries/surgery, infections, blood-related conditions (Red Blood Cell Disorders), anaemia and Thalassemia. All blood collection, testing, processing, storage, and distribution are coordinated at the national level. It is essential that effective organisation and integrated blood supply networks? There is a lot of work yet to be done with only 123 have a national blood policy when it comes to regulation. The history of blood donation in India dates to 1942 during the second world war. The first blood bank was established in Kolkata and managed by the Red Cross. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports a 9% gap in the requirement and availability. The COVID pandemic has disrupted many aspects of societies worldwide, and the blood donation ecosystem has explicitly been hit. There is enhanced demand for plasma from those recovered from COVID-19. Many such donors came forward to meet the requirement. The younger generation has been at the forefront of activities and initiatives when it came to blood donation. It gives hope.
