Every year on March 3, World Hearing Day is observed to encourage ear and hearing care worldwide and to increase awareness of ways to avoid deafness and hearing loss. WHO chooses the theme each year and creates evidence-based advocacy materials, including presentations, booklets, flyers, posters, banners, and posters.
Along with WHO regional and country offices, these materials are disseminated to collaborators in government and civil society all over the world. WHO hosts an annual celebration of World Hearing Day at its headquarters in Geneva.
The first event was held in 2007. Before 2016 it was known as International Ear Care Day.
This year's (2023) theme was "Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality".
World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3 every year. This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed in 1973. This global event is marked annually to celebrate and promote awareness of the planet's wild fauna and flora. The date also marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. CITES aims to prevent international trade from threatening species' survival.
The commemoration was proposed by Thailand to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild fauna and flora.
World Wildlife Day in 2023 was celebrated under the theme "Partnerships for wildlife conservation", honouring the people who are making a difference.
Mar 01, 2023
Civil Accounts Day
To commemorate the foundation of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), the 47th Civil Accounts Day was celebrated on March 1 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Janpath, New Delhi. On the occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was the Chief Guest. The event at Dr Ambedkar International Centre was addressed by Union Finance Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan.
The ICAS was founded in 1976, as a result of a historical reform in the public financial administration when the maintenance of Accounts of the Union Government was separated from that of audit.
On March 1, 1976, the President of India issued two ordinances, the Comptroller and Auditor General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Amendment Ordinance, 1976, and the Departmentalisation of Union Accounts (Transfer of Personnel), 1976, to start the process of separating accounts from audit and laying the groundwork for departmentalised accounts. Since then, the day is being observed as the organisation's foundation day.
Zero Discrimination Day Celebrated on March 1
Zero Discrimination Day was celebrated on March 1, 2023. Every year events, workshops, seminars, and educational programmes are held on Zero Discrimination Day globally to educate people about the adverse effects of discrimination on the world.
The day is mainly celebrated by organizations like UNAIDS. The main objective of the day is to promote equality.
The first Zero Discrimination Day was celebrated in 2014. It was launched by UNAIDS. The first Zero Discrimination Day celebrations were conducted in Beijing.
The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2023 is "Save Lives: Decriminalize".
World Civil Defence Day
World Civil Defence Day is observed globally every year on March 1 to create awareness about the importance of civil defence and to appreciate the sacrifices of those who have laid their lives in the line of duty as civil defence volunteers or workers. Besides honouring those who serve in civil protection, the day aims to bring the attention of the global community to the necessity of civil preparedness and civil protection in the world.
In India Civil Defence Day is observed on December 6 to create awareness about civil defence and its importance among the citizens.
In 1931, French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul founded the Association of Geneva Zones. He was badly affected by the horrors of the First World War and thus aimed to create safety zones where people could seek protection in times of war. World Civil Defence Day was first celebrated in the year 1990 by the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO).
The theme for 2023 World Civil Defence Day theme was "Uniting the world's leading specialists for the safety and security of future generations."
World Seagrass Day 2023
The seagrasses are grass-like plants that live close to the sea. They are the only flowering plant to grow in the marine environment. There are more than 60 seagrass species in the world. They act as the best carbon sink and provide food for marine life. The United Nations celebrates World Seagrass Day on March 1. The resolution to celebrate the day was passed in 2022.
Seagrasses cover only 0.1% of the sea floor. They provide shelter and food to almost all marine life like seahorses, fish, turtles, etc. The seagrasses improve water quality by adding nutrients, filtering, and cycling.
They can store upto 18% of the ocean's carbon and therefore are considered powerful tools to tackle climate change. Seagrass buffers ocean acidification. They support the most vulnerable species in the oceans.
During high tidal waves and tsunamis, they are the first line of protector.
Zero Discrimination Day Celebrated on March 1
Zero Discrimination Day was celebrated on March 1, 2023. Every year events, workshops, seminars, and educational programmes are held on Zero Discrimination Day globally to educate people about the adverse effects of discrimination on the world.
The day is mainly celebrated by organizations like UNAIDS. The main objective of the day is to promote equality.
The first Zero Discrimination Day was celebrated in 2014. It was launched by UNAIDS. The first Zero Discrimination Day celebrations were conducted in Beijing.
The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2023 is "Save Lives: Decriminalize".
Feb 28, 2023
Rare Disease Day
Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families. The European Organisation for Rare Diseases established the day in 2008 to raise awareness for unknown or overlooked illnesses. In 2009, Rare Disease Day went global as the National Organization for Rare Disorders mobilized 200 rare disease patient advocacy organizations in the United States while organizations in China, Australia, Taiwan, and Latin America also lead efforts in their respective countries to coordinate activities and promote the day.
The first Rare Disease Day was coordinated by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and held on February 29, 2008, in numerous European nations and in Canada through the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders. The date was chosen because February 29 is a rare day, and 2008 was the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Orphan Drug Act in the United States.
This year (2023) it was observed on February 28.
National Science Day
National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28 to mark and recognise the contributions of scientists towards the development of the country. On this day, in 1928, Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly known as CV Raman, made an important discovery in the field of spectroscopy, which was later named after him, the Raman Effect. For his work, CV Raman was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
In 1986, the Government of India, under then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, designated February 28 as National Science Day to commemorate the announcement of the discovery of the "Raman Effect". The 2023 edition was celebrated under the theme of "Global Science for Global Wellbeing", in light of India's G20 presidency.
Feb 27, 2023
World NGO Day
The World NGO Day is an annual international observance on February 27 to recognise the contributions of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The day was first celebrated in 2010 and has since become an annual event that highlights the work of NGOs around the world. It provides an opportunity to advocate for policies that support their efforts.
World NGO Day was first proposed in 2010 by the Baltic Sea NGO Forum. The event was accepted by the forum in 2012. Initially, the day was only recognised in countries which were part of the forum like Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and others.
It was only in 2014 that it truly started being observed across other countries when leaders from organisations like the United Nations and European Union attended the event.
Feb 24, 2023
Central Excise Day
The Central Excise Day is celebrated in India every year on February 24 to commemorate the establishment of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). The day is observed to recognise the efforts of the Central Excise and Customs officials who work tirelessly to safeguard the country's economy. The Central Excise Day is also observed to commemorate the Central Excise Act, which was passed on February 24, 1944.
The significance of Central Excise Day lies in recognising the hard work and dedication of the officials who work to collect taxes, prevent smuggling, and curb fraudulent activities. The day also highlights the role that the department plays in promoting economic growth and development.