IMPORTANT_DAYS- MARCH

Mar 01 Zero Discrimination Day

Zero Discrimination Day is the opportunity to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full and productive life with dignity—no matter what they look like, where they come from or whom they love. By joining hearts and voices, individuals, communities and societies can transform the world every day and everywhere. Zero Discrimination Day is a moment to highlight how everyone can become informed and promote tolerance, compassion and peace.

Mar 04 National Security Day

Mar 7 Maha Shivarathri
There are many mythological legends associated with this day. According to a popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, he waited on the branch of a Woodapple tree. In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree. Pleased with the Woodapple leaves and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat..
         Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world on the pretext that the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion. From that day onwards, the night came to be known as Maha Shivratri and people began worshipping Shiva with a great enthusiasm.
Some folklore also consider this to be Shiva's day as this was believed to be the answer given by Lord Shiva when asked about his favorite day by Goddess Parvathi.      People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam. Woodapple leaves, cold water and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day as they are believed to be Lord Shiva's favorite.
            It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life. The most popular Maha Shivratri celebrations take place in Ujjain, believed to be the place of residence of Lord Shiva. Large processions are carried out throughout the city, with people thronging the streets to catch a glimpse of the revered idol of Lord Shiva.

Mar 08 World Women's Day

In August 1910, an International Women's Conference was organized to precede the general meeting of the Socialist Second International in Copenhagen, Denmark. Inspired in part by the American socialists, German Socialist Luise Zietz proposed the establishment of an annual 'International Woman's Day' (singular) and was seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified at that conference. Delegates (100 women from 17 countries) agreed with the idea as a strategy to promote equal rights, including suffrage, for women. The following year, on March 19, 1911, IWD was marked for the first time, by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire alone, there were 300 demonstrations. In Vienna, women paraded on the Ringstrasse and carried banners honouring the martyrs of the Paris Commune. Women demanded that women be given the right to vote and to hold public office. They also protested against employment sex discrimination. Americans continued to celebrate National Women's Day on the last Sunday in February.

The UN theme for International Women's Day 2015 is "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!". Governments and activists around the world will commemorate the 20th anniversary year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, an historic roadmap that sets the agenda for realizing women’s rights.

The International Woman’s Day theme for 2015 is ‘Make It Happen’ with a dedicated hashtag for social media.

Mar 08-14 World Glaucoma Week

        Glaucoma is a term describing a group of ocular (eye) disorders that result in optic nerve damage, often associated with increased fluid pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure)(IOP). The disorders can be roughly divided into two main categories, "open-angle" and "closed-angle" (or "angle closure") glaucoma. Open-angle chronic glaucoma is painless, tends to develop slowly over time and often has no symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly. It is treated with either glaucoma medication to lower the pressure, or with various pressure-reducing glaucoma surgeries. Closed-angle glaucoma, however, is characterized by sudden ocular pain, redness, nausea and vomiting, and other symptoms resulting from a sudden spike in intraocular pressure, and is treated as an ocular emergency.

      Glaucoma can permanently damage vision in the affected eye(s), first by  decreasing peripheral vision (reducing the visual field), and then potentially leading to blindness if left untreated.
A Silent Thief
     Glaucoma has been called the "silent thief of sight" because the loss of vision often occurs gradually over a long period of time, and symptoms only occur when the disease is quite advanced. Once lost, vision cannot normally be recovered, so treatment is aimed at preventing further loss. Worldwide, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness after cataracts. It is also the leading cause of blindness among African Americans. Glaucoma affects one in 200 people aged 50 and younger, and one in 10 over the age of 80. If the condition is detected early enough, it is possible to arrest the development or slow the progression with medical and surgical means.
      Positive family history is a risk factor for glaucoma. The relative risk of having primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is increased about two- to four-fold for individuals who have a sibling with glaucoma. Glaucoma, particularly primary open-angle glaucoma, is associated with mutations in several different genes (including MYOC, ASB10, WDR36, NTF4, and TBK1 genes), although most cases of glaucoma do not involve these genetic mutations. Normal-tension glaucoma, which comprises one-third of POAG, is also associated with genetic mutations (including OPA1 and OPTN genes).
         Various rare congenital/genetic eye malformations are associated with glaucoma. Occasionally, failure of the normal third-trimester gestational atrophy of the hyaloid canal and the tunica vasculosa lentis is associated with other anomalies. Angle closure-induced ocular hypertension and glaucomatous optic neuropathy may also occur with these anomalies, and has been modelled in mice.
        Other factors can cause glaucoma, known as "secondary glaucoma", including prolonged use of steroids (steroid-induced glaucoma); conditions that severely restrict blood flow to the eye, such as severe diabetic retinopathy and central retinal vein occlusion (neovascular glaucoma); ocular trauma (angle-recession glaucoma); and uveitis (uveitic glaucoma). In a large study in the UK, glaucoma patients had a 29% increased incidence of systemic hypertension compared to age- and sex-matched controls.
Treatment
          Intraocular pressure can be lowered with medication, usually eye drops. Several different classes of medications are used to treat glaucoma, with several different medications in each class.
         Both laser and conventional surgeries are performed to treat glaucoma. Surgery is the primary therapy for those with congenital glaucoma. Generally, these operations are a temporary solution, as there is not yet a cure for glaucoma.
For more reading : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaucoma

Mar 09 CISF Raising Day

 

The CISF provides security cover to 300 industrial units and other establishments located all over India. Industrial sectors like atomic power plants, space installations, mints, oil fields and refineries, major ports, heavy engineering, steel plants, barrages, fertilliser units, airports and hydroelectric/thermal power plants owned and controlled by Central PSUs, and currency note presses producing Indian currency are protected by CISF. It thereby covers installations all over India straddling a variety of terrain and climatic conditions. CISF also provides consultancy services to private industries as well as other organisation within the Indian government. The consulting wing has amongst its clients some of the renowned business houses and organisations of India including TISCO, Jamshedpur; SEBI Hqrs. Mumbai; Vidhana Sabha, Bangalore; Orissa Mining Co., Bhubaneswar; AP Assembly, Hyderabad; Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corp.; HIL Kerala;IB Thermal plant,Odisa; IARI, Delhi; NBRI, Lucknow and Electronics City, Bangalore. The scope of CISF's consulting practice includes security consulting and fire protection consulting.

CISF is just a unique organization in paramilitary forces for India, which works for sea ways, airways and some of the major installations in India. In CISF there are some reserved battalions which works with the state police to protect law and orders. CISF plays a major role in Disaster Management, for Disaster Management course the personnel are trained from NISA, Hyderabad. Another unique thing which CISF is having i.e., Fire Wing which helps during fire accidents in Industries where CISF is guarding.
More reading at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Industrial_Security_Force

Mar 10 World Kidney Day

     World Kidney Day(WKD) is observed annually on the 2nd Thursday in March.This is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

     WKD is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). This day was intended to raise awareness about afflictions of the kidney; although many are treatable, they are a secondary medical concern of the greater population.

GOLDEN RULES - TO KEEP YOUR KIDNEYS HEALTHY

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Keep fit and active
Increase daily physical activity as it helps reduce your blood pressure and reduces your risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Maintain a health fluid intake and stay hydrated
Fluid regulates your body’s temperature through perspiration, the kidney removes waste via urine and carries nutrients and other substances throughout the body. Fresh supplies of fluid are needed every day, however, there is no set amount to drink each day to avoid dehydration.

Water is the recommended fluid to satisfy thirst and is nature's choice - calorie-free, cheap, readily available. Fresh supplies of fluid are needed every day, however, there is no set amount to drink each day to avoid dehydration. Choosing to drink water instead will have a positive impact on your health. It may also contain fluoride which is good for teeth. Listen to your thirst - and keep in mind that the right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including gender, exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breast feeding. People who have already had a kidney stone are advised to drink 2 to 3 litres of water daily to lessen the risk of forming a new stone.

Keep regular control of your blood sugar levels
About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage. People with diabetes must ensure they have regular tests to check their kidney function. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented, if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctor or pharmacist.
Monitor blood pressure, reduce if necessary
The lower your blood pressure, the slower your kidney function declines. Although many people are aware high blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart attack, few know high blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney damage. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage if you have diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
Help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with CKD by reducing salt intake - recommended 5-6 grams of salt per day (a teaspoon). In order to reduce salt intake, try to limit the amount of processed and restaurant food consumed and do not add salt to food. It is easier to control salt intake if you prepare your meals yourself using fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Do not smoke
Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, smoking limits the kidney's ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50%! If you smoke - best thing to do for best health, is to quit now!

Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. Such medications may not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use these for emergencies only. But if you are dealing with chronic pain such as arthritis or back pain, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.
Get your kidney function tested if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors.
Talk to your GP and ask for a Kidney Health Check.

Mar 13: World Sleep Day 

 
World Sleep Day (second Friday )is an annual event, intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving. It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. Through the World Sleep Day the WASM tries to raise awareness of sleep disorders and their better understanding and preventability, and to reduce the burden of sleep problems on society that constitute a global epidemic and threaten health and quality of life for as much as 45% of the world's population.

Slogans of previous celebraions

Year	Date	Slogan
2008	14 March	'Sleep well, live fully awake'
2009	20 March	'Drive alert, arrive safe'
2010	19 March	'Sleep Well, Stay Healthy'
2011	18 March	'Sleep Well, Grow Healthy'
2012	16 March	'Breathe Easily, Sleep Well'
2013	15 March	'Good Sleep, Healthy Aging'
2014	14 March	'Restful Sleep, Easy Breathing, Healthy Body'
2015	13 March

Mar 14 Pi Day

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159.
Pi Approximation Day is observed on July 22 (or 22/7 in the day/month date format), since the fraction ²²⁄₇ is a common approximation of π, which is accurate to three decimal places and dates from Archimedes.
A sequential time will occur on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 following the sequence of pi.
Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.
Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is a constant number, meaning that for all circles of any size, Pi will be the same.
The diameter of a circle is the distance from edge to edge, measuring straight through the center. The circumference of a circle is the distance around.
History of Pi
By measuring circular objects, it has always turned out that a circle is a little more than 3 times its width around. In the Old Testament of the Bible (1 Kings 7:23), a circular pool is referred to as being 30 cubits around, and 10 cubits across. The mathematician Archimedes used polygons with many sides to approximate circles and determined that Pi was approximately 22/7. The symbol (Greek letter “π”) was first used in 1706 by William Jones. A ‘p’ was chosen for ‘perimeter’ of circles, and the use of π became popular after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737. In recent years, Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits past its decimal. Only 39 digits past the decimal are needed to accurately calculate the spherical volume of our entire universe, but because of Pi’s infinite & patternless nature, it’s a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.

To find I million digits of Pi : http://www.piday.org/million/

Mar 15 World Consumer Day

World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the international consumer movement. Participants observe the day by promoting the basic rights of all consumers, demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and protesting about the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them.

There are eight basic consumer rights which include the rights to:

• satisfaction of basic needs – to have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation
• safety – to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life
• information – to be given the facts needed to make an informed choice, and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling.
• choice – to be able to select from a range of products and services, offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality
• be heard – to have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services.
• redress – to eive a fair settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
• consumer education – to acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them.
• a healthy environment -to live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well being of the consumers.
  

    

Mar 20 World Happiness Day

Happiness may have different meanings for different people. But we can all agree that it means working to end conflict, poverty and other unfortunate conditions in which so many of our fellow human beings live."

UN Secretary General- Ban Ki-moon

       The International Day of Happiness is celebrated throughout the world on the 20th of March. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012.

     During the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that the world “needs a new economic paradigm that recognizes the parity between the three pillars of sustainable development. Social, economic and environmental well-being are indivisible. Together they define gross global happiness.”  The meeting was convened at an initiative of Bhutan, a country which recognized the supremacy of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product.

      The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. 

      The United Nations invites Member States,  international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities.

Mar 21 World Forestry Day

        The World Forestry Day was established in the year 1971 at the 23^rd General Assembly of European Confederation of Agriculture. And it was decided to be celebrated as an annual event celebration on 21^st of March by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. World Forestry Day was established in the Conference of States members of Food and Agriculture Organization by voting to establish it. This event was originated in well planned manner to give support in contributing towards the public awareness about the importance of the forests.
        International Day of Forests was first established in the year 2012 on 28^th of November to be celebrated on 21^st of March every year by the decision of the United Nations General Assembly by uniting the two international commemorations; the World Forestry Day and Forest Day.
          Like other branches of the agriculture, forestry is also an important field which  requires the public attention to be taken. It is very necessary for the common public to understand the forest value in our daily lives as a raw material source, local employment source as well as the national income source. Forests plays great role in gathering and releasing the water on the earth and maintain the flora and fauna habitat balance. Forests are the natural beauty on the earth which is very necessary to be conserved to go everything in balance.
       According to the resources it has been noted that there is an annual loss of around 13 million hectares or 32 million acres of the forests by the people. Loss of the forests enhances the loss of inhabitant animal species to the forest. Deforestation imbalances the balance of natural climate which lead to the global warming by increasing the CO2 and decreasing the O2 percentage all across the world.
        Almost 30% of the total land worldwide is occupied by the forests containing over 60,000 tree species which are ultimately the great resources of the food, fuel, fodder, essential oils, resins, latex, gums, medicines, fiber, water, woods for the population of around 1.6 billion poorest people of the world.
Mar 21 World Poetry Day
World Poetry Day is on March 21, 2016. It was declared by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1999. The purpose of the day is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the UNESCO session declaring the day says, to "give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements".

       World Poetry Day was generally celebrated in October, sometimes on the 5th, but in the latter part of the 20th Century the world community celebrated it on 15 October, the birthday of Virgil, the Roman epic poet and poet laureate under Augustus. The tradition to keep an October date for national or international poetry day celebrations still holds in many countries. Alternately, a different October or even November date is celebrated.

       Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning. Poetry may be written independently, as discrete poems, or may occur in conjunction with other arts, as in poetic drama, hymns, lyrics, or prose poetry. It is published in dedicated magazines, individual collections and wider anthologies.

Mar 22 World Water Day

• water is health- Clean hands can save your life
  
• water is nature-Ecosystems lie at the heart of the global water cycle.
  
• water is urbanization-Every week, one million people move into cities.
  
• water is industry-More water is used to manufacture a car than to fill a swimming pool.
  
• water is energy-Water and energy are inseparable friends.
  
• water is food-To produce two steaks you need 15 000 liters of water.
  
• water is equality-Every day women spend millions of hours carrying water.
  

      World Water Day has been observed on 22 March since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 22 March as "World Day for Water".
This day was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Observance began in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since; for the general public to show support, it is encouraged for the public to not use their taps throughout the whole day.
      The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. Since its inception in 2003, UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme, messages and lead UN agency for the World Day for Water.
          In addition to the UN member states, a number of NGOs promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats have used World Day for Water as a time to focus public attention on the critical water issues of our era. Every three years since 1997, for instance, the World Water Council has drawn thousands to participate in its World Water Forum during the week of World Day for Water.
        Participating agencies and NGOs have highlighted issues such as a billion people being without access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water. In 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012 the UN World Water Development Report was launched on the occasion of the World Water Day.

 Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Under the theme ‘Water and Sustainable Development’, the year 2015 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight water's role in the sustainable development agenda.
      UN-Water supports the World Water Day campaign and sets the theme each year. At the World Water Week 2014, UN-Water presented the plan for the World Water Day 2015 campaign, which is coordinated by UNDP with the support of WWAP, UNESCO, HABITAT, UNEP, The World Bank and UN-DESA.    
       
      Theme: In 2015 the theme of World Water Day is   "Water and Sustainable Development" ,  in 2016, the theme is "Water and Jobs," in 2017 "Wastewater" and in 2018 "Nature-based Solutions for Water". 


 Mar 23 World Meterological Day
 
       World Meteorological Day is celebrated every year on 23 March to commemorate the entry into force in 1950 of the convention that created the World Meteorological Organization. The day also highlights the huge contribution that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services make to the safety and well-being of society.
      The theme in 2014 was 'Weather and climate: engaging youth.' Today’s youth will benefit from the dramatic advances being made in our ability to understand and forecast the Earth’s weather and climate. At the same time, most of them will live into the second half of this century and experience the increasing impacts of global warming. WMO encourages young people to learn more about our weather and climate system and to contribute to action on climate change.
Natural climate variability brings benefits and risks for people, communities and economies. On the one hand it may lead to long balmy summers with prolonged growing seasons or snowy winters that brings much needed melt water in spring. On the other, it may result in water shortages, droughts, heatwaves, floods, severe storms and coastal surges that adversly affect lives and damage property.
Today, short-term and seasonal climate variability is being modified by human-induced climate change, which is increasing temperatures, altering weather patterns, and raising sea levels.
      Scientists are making increasingly reliable projections of future temperature and precipitation trends, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification. This Climate Knowledge, coupled with assessments of the likely impacts on specific regions, communities and socio-economic sectors, is the prerequisite for Climate Action that will permit people to benefit from or mitigate the risks of climate change.
Today, more than ever, individuals, communities, policy-makers, governments need Climate Knowledge for Climate Action.
Observations of weather and climate parameters are an essential starting point for Climate Knowledge. Such data are gathered by the land, marine, aircraft and satellite observation networks of national meteorological and hydrological services. At the backbone of that network – the WMO Global Observing System – are over 11 000 land-based weather stations and 1 300 upper-air stations and radiosondes.
       In addition to weather variables such as temperature and rain, Climate Knowledge is built on data about levels of greenhouse gases, pollutants and aerosols, which can affect the climate, air quality, human health, and natural and human systems. The monitoring of atmospheric chemistry is coordinated by the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch.
Weather and climate observations are fed into computer models that simulate the global climate system. About a dozen national weather services and other organizations possess super computers with the capacity to run these models and produce global climate predictions and scenarios. WMO Global Producing Centres for Long Range Forecasts generate seasonal and other short-term climate predictions every month or quarter, and WMO Regional Climate Centres translate these into regional predictions with higher spatial and temporal resolution.  Regional Climate Outlook Forums then discuss trends and issue outputs such as seasonal forecasts, predictions of climate-driven outbreaks of malaria and climate scenarios .

Mar 24 World TB Day
 
World TB Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the burden of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide and the status of TB prevention and control efforts. The Day is also an occasion to mobilize political and social commitment for further progress.
Progress towards global targets for reductions in TB cases and deaths in recent years has been impressive: TB mortality has fallen over 45% worldwide since 1990, and incidence is declining. New TB tools such as rapid diagnostics are helping transform response to the disease and new life-saving drugs are being introduced.
Today the Stop TB Partnership, a network of organizations and countries fighting TB (the IUATLD is a member and WHO houses the Stop TB Partnership secretariat in Geneva), organizes the Day to highlight the scope of the disease and how to prevent and cure it.
The theme of 2014 celebration was: " Reach the three million: A TB test, treatment and cure for all". And that of the year 2015 is "Reach the 3 Million: Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone", of this year (2016) is "Unite to End TB".

Mar 24 Holi

One of the Major festivaks of India Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the Full Moon Day in the month of Phalgun (March).

The popular legend behind this celebration is related the demon king Hiranyakashyap who demanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But his pious son, Prahlad became strong devotee of Lord Mahavishnu. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son to be killed for this disobedience. He asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap as she had a boon which made her immune to fire. Story goes that Prahlad as saved by Mahavishnu himlself for his extreme devotion and the evil minded Holika was burnt to ashes, for the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

Since then, people light a bonfire, representing Holika on the eve of Holi festival and celebrate the victory of good over the evil and the truimph of devotion to God.

In South India people celebrate the festival as Kamadahana to commemorate the sacrifice of Kamadeva- the god of Love and Passion. Kamadeva shot his powerful arrow of flower on Lord Shiva to revoke his interest in the worldly affairs for the interest of the whole earth. The Lord had engaged himself in deep meditaion. The infuriated Lord Shiva opened his third eye to burn down Kamadeva to ashes. Anyway, later on the request of Rathi, Kamadeva's wife, Shiva restored life back to Kamadeva.

Great excitement can be seen in people on the next day when it is actually the time for the play of colours. Shops and offices remain closed for the day and people get all the time to get crazy and whacky. Bright colours of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring colour water over each other. Children take special delight in spraying colours on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons and passers by. Women and senior citizen form groups called tolis and move in colonies - applying colours and exchanging greetings. Songs, dance on the rhythm of dholak and mouthwatering Holi delicacies are the other highlights of the day.

 Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to "great night of Shiva" is a Hindu festival largely celebrated in India as well as in Nepal. The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha according to the Hindu calendar The day is celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hindu culture.

It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this joyous and colouful festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the nation.

Mar 24 Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.

First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Maundy-Thursday.html#ixzz3VhFJ4mxN

Mar 25 Good Friday

Good Friday is observed by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. Based on Christian scriptural details of the Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus, the Crucifixion of Jesus was most probably on a Friday (John 19:42). The estimated year of Good Friday is AD 33, by two different groups, and originally as AD 34 by Isaac Newton via the differences between the Biblical and Julian calendars and the crescent of the moon. A third method, using a completely different astronomical approach based on a lunar Crucifixion darkness and eclipse model (consistent with Apostle Peter's reference to a "moon of blood" in Acts 2:20) points to Friday, 3 April AD 33.

According to the accounts in the Gospels, the Temple Guards, guided by Jesus' disciple Judas Iscariot, arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas received money (30 pieces of silver) (Matthew 26:14-16) for betraying Jesus and told the guards that whomever he kisses is the one they are to arrest. Following his arrest, Jesus is brought to the house of Annas, who is the father-in-law of the high priest, Caiaphas. The high priest condemns Jesus for blasphemy, and the Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus concurs with a sentence of death (Matthew 26:57-66). Peter, waiting in the courtyard, also denies Jesus three times to bystanders while the interrogations were proceeding just as Jesus had predicted.

The chief priests inform Pilate of a new charge, demanding Jesus be sentenced to death "because he claimed to be God's son." Jesus carries his cross,with the sentence "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" written, to the site of execution (assisted by Simon of Cyrene), called the place of the Skull, or "Golgotha" in Hebrew and in Latin "Calvary". There he is crucified along with two criminals.

On the third day, Sunday, which is now known as Easter Sunday (or Pascha), Jesus rose from the dead.
For more reading : https://targetstudy.com/knowledge/day/141/good-friday.htm

Mar 27 Easter day

Easter Day is a religious feast celebrated because Lord Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the this day. According to Christian scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Some Christians celebrate this resurrection two days after Good Friday and three days after Maundy Thursday. Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter also marks the end of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, and penance. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD  26 and AD 36. Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season.

 

Mar 27 World Theatre Day

World Theatre Day is the creation of the International Theatre Institute (ITI). It is celebrated annually on the 27th March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community. Various national and international theatre events are organized to mark this occasion. One of the most important of these is the circulation of the World Theatre Day International Message through which at the invitation of ITI, a figure of world stature shares his or her reflections on the theme of Theatre and a Culture of Peace. The first World Theatre Day International Message was written by Jean Cocteau (France) in 1962.

It was first in Helsinki, and then in Vienna at the 9th World Congress of the ITI in June 1961 that President Arvi Kivimaa proposed on behalf of the Finnish Centre of the International Theatre Institute that a World Theatre Day be instituted.

Each year a figure outstanding in theatre or a person outstanding in heart and spirit from another field, is invited to share his or her reflections on theatre and international harmony. What is known as the International Message is translated into more than 20 languages, read for tens of thousands of spectators before performances in theatres throughout the world and printed in hundreds of daily newspapers. Colleagues in the audio-visual field lend a fraternal hand, with more than a hundred radio and television stations transmitting the Message to listeners in all corners of the five continents