July 1: World Doctor’s Day
Doctor’s Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries across the world. Especially at this time of the Covid 19 pandemic, doctors are at times given a god-like status in every country, and not without good reason (and at times unfairly attacked). While everyone is safely ‘locked in,’ these selfless and courageous people risk their very lives to save those they serve. Their dedication and generosity helps us understand the true worth and value of the profession they have chosen. This year, Doctor’s Day takes on an extraordinary colour! Let us join hands to pray for, applaud and thank our heroes and heroines! Humanity as a whole is indebted to doctors—literally from womb to tomb.
The day is also meant to commemorate not just doctors, but the whole medical industry and its advancements. The efforts of doctors in bettering people’s lives through technology have been relentless and this day highlights these accomplishments. It is celebrated to emphasize the importance that doctors hold in our lives, and this day is meant to pay them respect for their selfless service.
The symbol of Doctor’s Day is a red carnation because the flower stands for love, charity, selflessness and sacrifice, traits that every doctor must have.
The first ever Doctor’s Day was observed on 30 March 1933 in the State of Georgia, USA. It involved sending greetings to physicians and placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors.
In India, 1 July is observed as Doctor’s Day. The day marks the birth and death anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (Dr B C Roy), one of the most famous physicians of India.
It was started by the Government of India in the year 1991 to pay our respects for this great physician and for all doctors in our Country and all over the world.
After our own parents, doctors (and nurses) are perhaps the greatest care-givers we will ever have. A million thanks! And may God bless you all abundantly, now and always.
July 28 World Nature Conservation Day
The World Nature Conservation Day is observed on July 28 across the world to raise awareness about protecting our natural resources.
The Earth has provided for the basic necessities of life, like water, air, soil, minerals, trees, animals, food, etc. But we should keep nature clean and healthy. People must recognise that a healthy environment is the foundation for a stable and productive society for the present and future generations. It is therefore necessary to protect, conserve and sustainably manage our natural resources.
There are several threats to nature—deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, pollution, use of plastics, chemicals, etc. Industrial development and several other factors are also responsible for the depletion of nature. Whatever we do affects the globe, because the world is one. We are all linked together. Nature must be conserved and protected. And we have to do it together!
This entails the wise management and utilisation of natural resources. Due to natural imbalances, we are facing several problems like global warming, various diseases, natural disasters, etc.
Mahatma Gandhi said: “The Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed.” We have to understand the importance of saving, preserving and recycling resources, and the consequences of damaging or depleting them.
Everyone must promote environment-friendly activities daily to lead a Green Lifestyle. Swachh Bharath Abhiyaan, Project Tiger, Mangroves for the Future (MFF)—these are some initiatives that India has undertaken to conserve nature.
All this is by now common knowledge. But are we sufficiently motivated to reform our individual lifestyles? To give up our cravings for more and more, even when in the process we know that some others are getting less and less? How can we arrive at a global conscience, feel responsible personally and collectively for the harm we do, and learn to care for nature (and thus for humanity) in a better way?
Sr Esme da Cunha FDCC
To subscribe to the magazine, click Subscribe
