Thinking about mathematics, someone wondered, “It may not teach us how to add love or subtract hate. But it gives us every reason to hope that every problem has a solution”. This is the second year the world is observing “The International Day of Mathematics”. March 14 (3/14 or 3-14) was chosen as the date it was already celebrated in many countries as Pi Day. Greater global awareness of mathematical sciences is vital to developing emerging areas like Artificial intelligence and understand climate change. In finding solutions to COVID-19 pandemic, mathematics played an important role by way of modelling and providing tools to help us understand, monitor, and control the spread of the virus. The role it plays in enhancing the capabilities of weather forecasts and prepare for natural disasters, is well acknowledged. India had a rich tradition of mathematical brilliance. Panini, Pingala, Sulba Sutras (appendices of Vedas), Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and so many. Srinivasa Ramanujan was undoubtedly among the world’s greatest mathematicians in the 20th century. Interestingly Mathematics is the common language of the planet, whichever way it is written. Philosophically life oscillates between Shunya to Anantha (zero to infinity). Sound mathematical knowledge is essential to progress in all domains of learning. Simplification is not only valid in mathematics, but it teaches us to simplify the complexities of life.
Globally, Tobacco, one of the most widely used addictive substances. The consumption of Tobacco is one of the prime reasons for lung and mouth cancer. National No Smoking Day held every second Wednesday of March (this year on March 10) and is aimed at reaching out to friends or family members who suffer from nicotine addiction. Over 80% of the world’s tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries. Recent statistics from the WHO indicate that the number of males using Tobacco is on the decline. Government-led actions can protect people from Tobacco, save lives and prevent peoples suffering. One of the ten is giving up smoking on this day, the studies indicate. The world is battling to cope with the COVID pandemic, the light at the end of the tunnel is seen with the vaccine’s administration. Many perils haunt the societies and smoking is one such. It is time the world moves towards Tobacco-free communities. Can we hope to see it happening in a not-so-distant future? Be smart. Do not start.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It is an occasion marking a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity are what makes International Women’s Day impactful. Celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about women’s equality. This year is the 110th year since women’s day is being observed, and one cannot help wondering whether the world would ever see gender parity! Our scriptures depict the power of women, their importance and the reverence bestowed on them. Unfortunately, despite all these, discrimination is rampant in India. Preference for a boy child leading to female foeticide, discrimination by family members, sexual exploitation is all there to see. With the multiple roles’ women play, some bestowed by nature like childbearing, becoming an essential part of the workforce, one needs to wonder whether the way one looks at gender parity is flawed. What is needed is to celebrate women for what they are and respect them. Poverty, violence, sexual abuse is harsh realities haunting humanity and what we have made the world to be. As Mother Theresa said, you alone cannot change the world, but you can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. Celebrate women’s achievement and be part of bringing the change leading to equality.
The World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is observed worldwide on4th March every yearsince 2020. Engineering and technology are central to achieving sustainable development. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of engineering achievements and engineers’ contributions to transforming societies. Some of the challenges are: Inclusive and gender-equitable engineering profession, understanding the regional trends and achieving global cooperation. The success achieved in finding a vaccine for COVID-19 at such a short duration gives hope. If the world unites, it can find solutions to many unsolved problems the world is facing. With new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, CRISPER, gene editing, humanity is at the crossroads of great opportunity for positive transformation that leaves no one behind. It is the responsibility of all those in the decision making to ensure the growth is all-round equitable and reduce the disparities. Observations days like these are to reassure what we have done in the past and can do now.
The survival of mother earth largely depends on the realisation that it is not an exclusive possession of humans. An estimate says that human activities would result in a drop of 68% of the wildlife population in less than 50 years. World Wildlife Day is an occasion to celebrate varied forms of fauna and flora and raise awareness about the benefits that their conservation provides. Heartening to see that India is doing well in wildlife preservation, the success of “Project Tiger” is an example. COVID-19 has demonstrated what can happen when we start exploiting the wildlife for the joy of eating; it is a reminder for humanity to rejuvenate our relationship with the natural world. Equally important is to protect the indigenous peoples who are custodians of ~80% of global diversity. Being sensitive and learning to coexist is vital for preserving mother earth. Wildlife conservation is an integral part of creating a sustainable world. If humans have caused it, they must exercise their power to correct it.
Why does a human being discriminate? Do animals and other creatures on the earth discriminate? Is it a peril of evolution of mind? We do see discrimination all around. While the world is fighting to end poverty and enhance the quality of life, discrimination is a factor of society, making it difficult for people to live in a just world. Knowingly or unknowingly, we grow in the world with subtle acceptance of discrimination. Gender inequality, health issues have always been haunted societies. The last century has seen people being discriminated against when they encounter diseases like Leprosy and TB. Is it not the time to stand up and work towards ending the evil of discrimination? Unfortunately, the world is struggling to end discrimination and bring awareness that discrimination is standing to achieve ambitions, goals, and dreams. Discrimination has several facets, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin colour, height, weight, profession, education, and beliefs. Societies must work towards celebrating everyone is right to live a full life with dignity regardless of what and how they are. Since 2014, 1st March is being observed as “Zero Discrimination Day” led by the UN and other international organisations. The day aims to promote equality before the law and in practice. Discrimination is collective stupidity with which most evolved species on the earth is suffering from.
National Science Day is all about enhancing understanding of the importance of science in the day-to-day life of the people, efforts and achievements in science for human welfare. It is to celebrate to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for development in science. It is the initiative of the NCSTC in 1986 that led to the Government of India designating February 28 as National Science Day. National Science Day on February 28 is to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by CV Raman in 1928. Naturally, National Science Day observation focusses more on CV Raman. Few aspects of the journey of CV Raman’s journey in research are very impactful. As a career in science did not appear to present the best possibilities (applicable even today!), Raman joined the Indian Finance Department. Raman found ways of carrying on research in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science at Calcutta. Medical advice that he is likely to be affected by TB which would be life-threatening if he goes to England made him stay back in India. CV Raman is so much associated with his wearing a turban. He attributed it to the recognition he received on his first visit to England. CV Raman said, “The only thing that is true is that a man is born, he lives, and he dies. Therefore, he should live his life properly”. The brilliance of people like CV Raman deserves more than celebrating his success; it motivates people to find solutions the societies face through the advancements of science and technology.
The third Saturday in February is promoted as World Pangolin Day. 2021 marks the 10th year of observation. The year passed by has brought Pangolin to the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Researchers have reported the possible animal source of the COVID-19 virus to be Pangolin. Pangolins have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin, and they are the only known mammals with this feature. Pangolins are listed as critically endangered. They are highly sought after in Asia for their scales due to the unproven belief that they have medicinal qualities and meat. If there is one thing, we have learned over the past year that is our actions have consequences. We need to be mindful of our actions and think about what we do, what we eat and what we purchase.
“Good Morning Mumbai”, a wake-up call by a radio jockey in a famous movie. Many of us grew up listening to radio broadcasts, be it news, music, or cricket commentary. World Radio Day is being observed on 13 February, proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO and adopted by the UN 2012. Radio, more than 110-year-old the observation in its 10th year. Despite being more than 100 years old, the Radio remains one of the most popular ways to exchange information, save lives during natural or human-made disasters. Radio reaches everyone and has been with us longer than any other kind of broadcast media. There are about 44,000 radio stations worldwide. In India broadcasting began in June 1923, external Services in 1939. When India became independent, there were only six stations (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Lucknow, and Tiruchirappalli). AIR’s services are delivered through 420 stations located across the country, reaching nearly 92% of the country’s area and ~99% of the total population. AIR originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects. Given its literal meaning in Sanskrit (“Voice from the Sky”), Akash Vani is more than an appropriate name for the broadcaster. Humans always aspired to find avenues to communicate, and Radio is doing yeomen service to humankind. As the world changes, so do Radio. It evolved, adapted, and innovated and continue to connect. Let us celebrate the power of Radio to reflect and promote diversity in all its forms.
We need science, and science needs women. Not only about committing equal rights, but is also about making science more open, diverse, and efficient. The UN in 2015 resolved to observe February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This observation aims to work towards full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Even though representing half of the world’s population, women continue to be excluded from participating fully in the economy. Women have an essential role to play and a right to participate in sustainable development policies, programs, and decision-making at all levels. The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has demonstrated women researchers’ critical role in different stages of the fight against COVID-19. Worryingly 52 countries in the world are yet to guarantee equality to women in their constitutions. India had excellent researchers who happened to be women, like Rohini Godbole, Asima Chatterjee, to name a few. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science-related fields. It is an unfinished business of our time.
