International Yoga Day 2021

India is celebrating the seventh International Day of Yoga virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that helps in maintaining physical and mental well-being, and over the years. Yoga plays a significant role in allaying fears and anxiety. The practitioners use a mix of physical and breathing exercises and meditation to improve their overall well-being. In 2014, Indian Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  proposed marking a day as the International Day of Yoga in his address at the UN General Assembly, and the proposal was endorsed by 175 member states, post which the United Nations recognised June 21 as the day to celebrate Yoga. Over the past one and a half year, Yoga has gained more importance due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The theme for International Yoga Day 2021 has been decided by the UN to be “Yoga for well-being”. Its aim is to raise awareness about how yoga can promote the holistic health of every individual. The UNICEF has said that even children can practice Yoga poses without any risk to get the same benefits that adults do.

World Music Day

 World Music Day, also knows as 'Fête de la Musique' in France, and 'Make Music Day' is celebrated every year on 21 June. It is celebrated as an open music festival where each and everyone can participate. The day was first celebrated in 1982 in France. It is a national holiday and people come out to play and enjoy music. The event would take place on the summer solstice, and is celebrated all across the country.

World Music Day: History and Significance

In France, the country's Culture Ministry decided to provide people with a music holiday in the 1980s. The aim was to celebrate a day with free and live music everywhere from streets to gardens. The first World Music Day was celebrated in 1982 in France after the government announced June 21 as a National holiday on account of Fête De La Musique (festival of music). 

French Minister of Art and Culture, Jack Lange and Maurice Fleuret, started Fete de la Musique in Paris. Fleuret was a French composer, music journalist, festival organiser and radio producer

Music is one of the most beautiful experiences known to human kind. There is some kind of music for everyone. It transcends all borders and boundaries. To celebrate this beautiful art form, World Music Day is observed. Free live music is played everywhere from roads, to streets, to mountain tops, to rooftops and shops. With its growing popularity, World Music day has now become a global event.

World Hydrography Day

World Hydrography Day  is observed annually on 21 June. The World Hydrography Day highlights the importance of hydrography and its relevance. This important day was approved and implemented by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as an annual celebration. This year, the IHO is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of its formation.

The day is observed to increase awareness about the protection of safe navigation for sailors. The day also focuses on publicising the work of hydrographers and the importance of hydrography.

History:

This day was observed and recognised because of the initiative of Monaco-based International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) that was founded in 1921. This organisation serves the purpose of facilitating talks between governments on issues related to navigation, technical standards and protection of marine life. With time, the IHO came up with the idea of a World Hydrography Day in 2005. Later, the decision was welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly which adopted a resolution to celebrate World Hydrography Day every year on 21 June.

Objective of World Hydrography Day

The main objective of this day is to attract people’s attention towards the work of the IHO at the international level. It is also celebrated to urge countries to work together to protect the marine environment and seek for safe international navigation around the world.