International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development | World Soil Day | Bhaumashtami Wrata

2023 Theme: The power of collective action
IVD 2023 recognized the power of collective action: if everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place. If everyone did. IVD 2015 started a dialogue about how volunteerism is vital to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda in Your world is changing.

Background
International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector.

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

Friends who stand in the crowd wearing scout clothes, line up and help are not greedy for any money or facility, they go to the Red Cross to donate blood and raise money from the school to donate blood and attend the service every time. Nepal's most downloaded mobile application, Hamro Patro shows respect to all those volunteers.
Every year on December 5, the United Nations celebrates International Volunteer Day. Volunteer Day is celebrated on this day with various programs all over the world including the member countries.

World soil day

Background:This day is held every year on the 5th of December to advocate for the importance of healthy soil across the globe. Sanatana philosophy addresses that "What came from the soil goes back as soil", this indicates the human life and creatures living on this planet are all the manifestations of soil. Soil is important for our living, agriculture, and the very existence of humans on this earth.

And the theme for 2023: “Soil and water, a source of life”
Over 100 countries and 560 events celebrate World Soil Day. The FAO's campaign theme for the year is - “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity.”

History:
No laboratory has ever been able to produce or invent soil, so soil the pure and real form of creation. An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.

The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.
Let's acknowledge the soil within ourselves and affirm that we are all subjected to return the same form. Healthy soil equals healthy life, both of earth and human.

Bhaumasthami wrata

Today is Asthami tithi fallen on Tuesday. And this holy Asthami is known as Bhaumasthami. It is also customary to fast Bhoomashtami on this day. Followers of Sanatan Dharma can celebrate and remember every festival in their way. The practice of fasting for spiritual fruits on this day is unique in itself.

In Bhaumashtami fast, especially worship of Mars and planetary peace is also done. There are many fruits of worshiping Shakti on the eighth day. There is a tradition of worshiping and adoring Gorakhkali Bhagwati in Bhaumashtami, especially in the temple of Bhagwati Gorakhkali in Gorkha.

As in other vrata, it is customary to get up in the morning to take a bath, sing hymns, worship and study the holy books and meditate. Good luck to everyone on this year's Bhoomshtami.

-Suyog Dhakal