World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day  is observed on 19 August every year.  People who have dedicated their lives to humanitarian causes and sacrificed their lives for the betterment of humanity are honoured on this day.

People who have sacrificed their lives for humanitarian causes and dedicated their lives to humanitarian welfare are honoured. This day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a part of a resolution on the Coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations.

The day also marks the death of Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Mello, along with 21 aid workers, was killed in a bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, on 19 August 2003. It was after this tragedy that the UNGA designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day in 2009.

2021 year, the theme is “#TheHumanRace”, the global challenge for climate action in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable population. The theme invites people to put the “needs of climate-vulnerable people front and centre at the UN climate summit (COP26)”. The United Nations urged people to express their solidarity with the cause.

World Photography Day 2021

World Photography Day is celebrated annually on August 19.  There is a popular saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. This saying could very well encapsulate the core idea behind World Photography Day.

The science of photography has played a pivotal role throughout human history -- today we have records of historic moments because they have been captured in photographs . We can be looked at forever. Photography can capture expressions, feelings, ideas, and moments instantly and immortalise them for future generations to witness.

The origin of World Photography Day can be traced back to 1837 in France. Two Frenchmen named Joseph Nicephore Niepce and Louis Daguerre developed the first-ever photographic process by inventing the 'daguerreotype'. The French Academy of Sciences officially announced the invention of the daguerreotype on January 19, 1837. It is believed that 10 days after the announcement was made, the French government purchased the patent for the invention and gave it as a gift to the world without any copyright.

French invention is believed to be the beginning of commercial photography, in 1839 William Henry Fox Talabot simplified the process of taking photographs. Mr Talabot invented a more versatile photographic process using paper-based salt prints.

To capture photographs today plays a significant role in all our lives. From being able to take selfies to taking pictures that document wars and protests.  World Photography Day celebrates the art of taking pictures.