31 May:World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. The member states of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. The day aims to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related health problems.^[1] From 1988 the WHO has presented one or more World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption. On May 31st, 2008 the WHO called for a complete ban on tobacco advertising; the organization said studies establish a relationship between exposure to cigarette advertisement and starting smoking.

19 may:World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day, observed May 19, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Approximately 500 million people worldwide have either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This represents 1 in 12 people, and was the basis for the 2008 World Hepatitis Day Am I Number 12? campaign. If left untreated and unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other complications including liver cancer or liver failure. Every year 1.5 million people die from either hepatitis B or C.^[1]

World Hepatitis Day is led by the World Hepatitis Alliance, which represents 200 patients groups and organizations including The Hepatitis C Trust, the European Liver Patient Association and the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention & Control.

18 may:World AIDS Vaccine Day

World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day,

-is observed annually on May 18. HIV vaccine advocates mark the day by promoting the continued urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. They acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, supporters and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine and urge the international community to recognize the importance of investing in new technologies as a critical element of a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The concept of World AIDS Vaccine Day is rooted in a May 18, 1997 commencement speech at Morgan State University made by then-President Bill Clinton. Clinton challenged the world to set new goals in the emerging age of science and technology and develop an AIDS vaccine within the next decade stating, “Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS.”

The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of Clinton’s speech, and the tradition continues today. Each year communities around the globe hold a variety of activities on World AIDS Vaccine Day to raise awareness for AIDS vaccines, educate communities about HIV prevention and research for an AIDS vaccine and bring attention to the ways in which ordinary people can be a part of the international effort to stem the pandemic.

18 may:International Museum Day

The International Museum Day is a celebration that is held each year on or about 18 May. Each year, the Advisory Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) defines a specific theme for International Museum Day.

“

The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be — as in the ICOM definition of museums — 'an institution in the service of society and of its development'."[1]

”

The theme for 2009 is "Museums and tourism".

17 May:World Information Society Day

hey frndz,
today is...

World Information Society Day

-was proclaimed to be on 17 May by a United Nations General Assembly resolution, following the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis.^[1]

The day had previously been known as World Telecommunication Day to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union in 17 May 1865.^[2] It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973.

The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of societal changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the Digital divide.

pictorial health warnings on tobacco products from May 31

pictorial health warnings on tobacco products from May 31...
hey frndz....
The smoke seems to have finally cleared over the issue of warnings that will display a picture of a scorpion, indicating cancer, and a diseased lung on tobacco products with the Supreme Court taking an undertaking from the Union government that the law will be implemented from May 31
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice B N Agrawal and Justice G S Singhvi, on May 5, 2009, cleared the display of pictorial warnings on all tobacco product packages in the midst of allegations by health activists that the law was being diluted to favour the tobacco industry.
The warning will be positioned parallel to the top edge of the package and in the same direction as information in the principal display area. This is mandated under Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. Rules under the Act were framed in 2006 but amended in 2007 to be implemented from December 1, 2007. However, implementation was postponed to March 31, 2008, and again to November 2008.
The specified warning will be inscribed in the same language as that used on the pack. In case of more than one language, the warning shall appear in two languages, one in which the brand name appears and the other in any one of the languages that appear on the product pack. For smoking forms of tobacco, the specified warning is depiction of diseased lungs, while for chewing and smokeless forms the warning will be a scorpion.

12 May:International Nurses Day

hey frndz,
12 may is INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY....
..International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated around the world every 12 May. This day is celebrated to remember all of the valuable contributions nurses make to society.
r u aware?

5 may:International Midwives' Day

hey frndz,
today is International Midwives' Day......

International Midwives' Day was first celebrated May 5, 1991, and has since been observed in over 50 nations around the world.

The idea of having a day to recognize and honor midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.

r u Aware??

International Firefighters' Day

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is observed on May 4. It was instituted after proposal emailed out across the world on January 4, 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Australia.

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is a time where the world's community can recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.

By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, we can show our gratitude to firefighters everywhere.

r u Aware?

1may:Maharashtra & Gujarat Day

Maharashtra & Gujarat attained statehood on 1st of May, 1960 when the then state Saurashtra was divided into two states, Maharashtra and Gujarat on the basis of different languages, Marathi and Gujarati, under the Saurashtra re-organization act.

1may: INTERNATIONAL WORKER'S DAY!

International Workers' Day -
is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. May Day commonly sees organized street demonstrations and street marches by millions of working people and their labour unions throughout most of the countries of the world.

R u Aware?