Important Dates & Festivities - Current Affairs for October, 2017

31st October is to be celebrated all over the country as a day of special occasion, to foster and reinforce the Government's dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of our nation. It is to be marked by celebrating it as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. March Pasts will be carried out by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police in their respective grounds on 31.10.2017. CAPFs are actively participating in State-level and other field level functions. Functions to commemorate the National Unity Day will also be held in all Indian Embassies/Missions abroad. A run will also be launched on this date to promote national integration.

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy presided over the 4th Foundation Day celebrations of National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), at its campus in Gurugram, Haryana on 27th Oct, 2017. Also launched was the Automation System for Customer Service Cell for Testing Facilities at NISE. Also released were a set of four books on Solar Energy published by NISE. The Minister was particularly impressed with the solar powered RO water dispensing ATM, and the solar powered milk chilling unit. Shri Singh also gave away awards to school children from Gurugram who won prizes for various competitions on Solar Energy.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has decided that this year the Vigilance Awareness Week would be observed from 30^th October to 4^th November, 2017. The theme of the week would be "My Vision-Corruption Free India" . The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Function to be held on 30^th October 2017. The observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week would commence with the Integrity Pledge by public servants in the Ministries/Departments/Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)/Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and all other Organisations. Aim of Vigilance Awareness Week is to educate the public at large about the corruption related practices and also educating them how to report about it. To accord recognition to the reforms and good work done by organization in the field of punitive, preventive and participative vigilance, the Vigilance Excellence Awards have been instituted in two categories from this year onwards. Commission is developing an Integrity Index based on bench marking of internal processes and controls within an organization as well as management of relationships and expectations of external stake holders. Integrity Index will be developed for 25 organisations including Government organisations and PSUs. This Integrity Index will be developed with technical support form IIM, Ahmedabad,. CVC is developing an e-learning module for the benefit of vigilance officers. The Commission as part of a multi-pronged strategy to tackle corruption has been stressing on punitive, preventive and participative vigilance measures. Activities During Vigilance Awareness Week

• Organisations have been advised to conduct activities relevant to the theme both within their organization, and outreach activities for public/citizens.
• Outreach activities for public/citizens include the display of hoardings, banners, posters and distribution of handouts etc. at prominent locations/places in offices/field units and also at places with public interface, organization of grievance redressal camps for citizens/customers by organisations having customer oriented services/activities and the taking of the online "Integrity Pledge" developed by the Commission.
• Seminars, discussions and other outreach events have been planned involving the private sector, professional associations, trade unions and associations for wide participation of all sections of civil society.
• "Awareness Gram Sabhas" are being organized for dissemination of awareness in Gram Panchayats (in rural and semi-urban areas) to sensitise citizens on the ill-effects of corruption. Last year, 70,000 such Gram Sabhas were organized during the Vigilance Awareness Week.
• Laying stress for creation of awareness on the ill-effects of corruption amongst school and college students, special efforts are being made by each field unit/branch of every CPSE/ to reach out to students in schools and colleges.
• A new feature is the establishment of 'Integrity Clubs' in schools and colleges as children are the future assets of the country and it is important to cultivate moral values in them.

Scientists on World Sawfish Day (observed on October 17th) announced that sawfish, sighted off Indian coast less than 10 times in over a decade appears to be more threatened than tigers and elephants Sawfish also known as carpenter sharks are a family of rays. They are characterized by long, narrow, flattened rostrum or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth resembling saw. Sawfish are closely related to sharks and have shark-shaped bodies, hence, they are also called flat sharks The sawfish, included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 enacted to save them from exploitation, have been sighted off the Indian coast less than 10 times in over a decade and they appear to be more threatened than tigers and elephants. A statement issued by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute held the sawfish may be the most endangered fish species in India. Anecdotal evidence suggested they were once common along the Indian coast. There are only five species of the sawfish ever identified - dwarf sawfish, knife tooth sawfish, small tooth sawfish, large tooth sawfish and green sawfish. Sawfish are elasmobranchs, meaning their skeleton is made of cartilage. They are closely related to sharks and have shark-shaped bodies and, hence, are also called flat sharks. The CMFRI statement held that the sawfish family has been assessed either 'Endangered' or 'Critically Endangered' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Red List, considering their threatened status, high extinction risk and observed population decline. Protection Status: In the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Red List, sawfish family has been assessed either 'Endangered' or 'Critically Endangered' considering their threatened status, high extinction risk and observed population decline.

This October 17, marked as National Ayurveda Day, the country celebrated the historic roots of the alternative medicinal practice in the Indian subcontinent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the first of its kind, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. An apex institute under the Ministry of AYUSH (Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopath), the idea is to facilitate synergy between the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and modern diagnostic tools and technology. Facts About AIIA

• The total area the institute accounts up to 10.015 acres, built with a budget of Rs 157 crore and is set up along the lines of the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country’s capital.
• The institute will focus on fundamental research in Ayurveda, developing drugs, monitoring, standardization, quality control, safety evaluation and scientific validation of Ayurvedic medicine.
• The institute is deemed the first medical institute under the AYUSH ministry and will offer postgraduate and doctoral courses in various Ayurvedic disciplines.
• While AIIA started the post-graduate programme (MD/MS) in Ayurveda from the academic year 2016-17, the PhD courses have already begun for academic year 2017-18.
• The institute has 200-bed referral hospital to conduct clinical research. Its hospital block at present, provides outpatient services and medicines free of cost.
• Currently, the clinical specialities of the hospital block not only include neurological and degenerative disease care unit, rheumatology and musculoskeletal care unit, diabetes and metabolic/allergic disorders care unit but also, Yoga, Panchakarma clinic, Kriya Kalpa, diabetic retinopathy clinic and infertility clinic.
• The institute also has set up pathology, biochemistry, microbiology and Radiology laboratories or diagnostic facilities.
• Once fully developed the institute is stipulated to have 25 Specialty Departments and 12 clinics with 8 inter-disciplinary research laboratories.
• The nationally and internationally lauded institute will provide Ayurvedic treatments that foreign diplomats, delegates, other visitors or different nationalities, and common public can observe and avail through the medium of classical Ayurveda therapies, education and scientific research.
• The institute will also facilitate medical tourism in India by encouraging patients of other nationalities to avail Ayurvedic treatment for chronic health problems, that have been unsuccessfully treated by other medical methods.

The Women of India Organic Festival organized by the Ministry of Women & Child Development came to a successful close on 15th October, 2017. The festival was organized at Dilli Haaat, INA, New Delhi as the largest festival of organic products by women farmers and producers. The Women of India Organic Festival has now become an annual event and exhibits/offers for sale most varied range of organic products including food, kitchen products, spices, pure fabric to wellness, personal care among others. The total sales by the women farmers and entrepreneurs who came from 25 States was INR 1.84 Crores in this year’s women of India Organic Festival. Women participated from as far as Ladakh, Manipur, Sikkim and Pudduchery along with other states of the country. The festival saw footfall of around 2.35 lakhs visitors. The Women of India Organic Festival 2017 was inaugurated at Dilli Haat, INA by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and Minister of State, Dr. Virender Kumar on 1st October, 2017. Organic food has been proven to contain far more vitamins, minerals and nutrients than similar foods produced with chemical fertilizers, pesticides and preservatives. Economically too, organic farming is preferable since it ultimately reduces cost of cultivation by 20-40% and increases the incomes of farmers by improving quality of production as well as the quality of soil. Above all, children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticide exposure. A concerted effort is needed to promote this sustainable alternative, thereby boosting the financial well-being of farmers as well as the health and longevity of consumers especially children.” The main aim of the Festival was to support and encourage women and women-led groups that promote organic farming, thus supporting their local community’s economy, creating jobs and keeping farmers thriving, in addition to spreading proper awareness about the benefits of organic products. The participants of Women of India Organic Festival 2017 also enrolled themselves in Mahila E-Haat, another initiative of the Ministry of Women & Child Development to meet the aspirations and needs of women entrepreneurs. This unique e-platform exponentially strengthens the socio-economic empowerment of women beyond the Festival.

The International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on October 15 to recognize the crucial role and contribution of rural women. The 2017 theme of the day is “Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”. The observance of day highlights role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women in enhancing rural and agricultural development, eradicating rural poverty and improving food security and ensuring sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing. International Day of Rural Women

• The International Day of Rural Women was instituted by the UN General Assembly by passing resolution 62/136 in December 2007.
• It was first observed on 15 October 2008.
• According to UN, empowerment of rural women is pre-requisite for fulfilling vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) which aims at ending poverty and hunger, achieve food security and empower all women and girls.
• Rural women, make up over a quarter of the total world population. Majority of them depend on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihood.
• They produce, prepare and process much of the food available, thereby giving them primary responsibility for food security.
• Thus, International Day of Rural Women recognises contribution and significant role played by these rural women in food security and poverty elevation.

FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. World Food Day is a chance to show our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. It’s also a day for us to celebrate the progress we have already made towards reaching #ZeroHunger. Why should we care about World Food Day and #ZeroHunger?

• The right to food is a basic human right.
• Investing in sustainable food systems and rural development means addressing some of the major global challenges - from feeding the world’s growing population to protecting the global climate, and tackling some of the root causes of migration and displacement.
• Achieving the 17 SDGs cannot happen without ending hunger, and without having sustainable and resilient, climate-compatible agriculture and food systems that deliver for the people and the planet.
• Reaching #ZeroHunger is possible: out of the 129 countries monitored by FAO, 72 have already achieved the target of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015.
• Over the past 20 years, the likelihood of a child dying before age five has been nearly cut in half, with about 17,000 children saved every day; extreme poverty rates have been cut in half since 1990.

Each year on 14 October, the members of the IEC, ISO and ITU celebrate World Standards Day, which is a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as international standards. World Standards Day began as a celebration of the birth of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which held its first meeting in London on October 14, 1946. From an initial roster of 25 countries, ISO (based in Geneva, Switzerland) now has 123 member nations and has evolved into the global clearinghouse for all standards activities. ISO's US representative, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is one of the founding organizations of World Standards Day. Today, World Standards Day is sponsored annually by ISO; the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which develops international standards for the electrical and electronics industries; and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an international organization responsible for the coordination, development, regulation, and standardization of telecommunications standards. The goal of World Standards Day is to raise awareness of the importance of global standardization to the world economy and to promote its role in helping meet the needs of business, industry, government, and consumers worldwide. The international event pays tribute to the thousands of volunteers around the world who participate in standardization activities. Since its initial celebration in 1970, member countries commemorate World Standards Day by organizing special gatherings and events, ranging from conferences, exhibitions, and seminars to film shows, TV and radio interviews, and full "standards weeks" around mid October. The IEC, ISO and ITU announce the winners of annual World Standards Day contest. This year two competitions were launched, a poster contest and a video contest, along the theme “Standards make cities smarter”.

International Day of the Girl Child There are 1.1 billion girls in the world, and every one of them deserves equal opportunities for a better future. They are a source of energy, power and creativity. They can drive change and help build a better future for all. Yet, most girls face disadvantage and discrimination on a daily basis, and those living through crises are suffering even more. On the International Day of the Girl Child, UN commits to investing in skills training and education for girls and livelihood activities for young women around the world who are facing crises. Read more» This year, International Day of the Girl (11 October) will focus on the theme, "EmPOWER girls: Before, during and after conflict". Every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, an adolescent girl dies as a result of violence. In humanitarian emergencies, gender-based violence often increases, subjecting girls to sexual and physical violence, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking. Adolescent girls in conflict zones are 90 per cent more likely to be out of school when compared to girls in conflict-free countries, compromising their future prospects for work and financial independence as adults. Across the world, empowered girls are raising their voices to fight for their rights and protection in all contexts. They are working to end violence against women and girls, to recognize indigenous rights, and to build peaceful and cohesive communities. Since 2012, 11 October has been marked as the International Day of the Girl. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. World Obesity Day

• World Obesity Day is observed globally on 11 October with the view of promoting practical solutions to end the global obesity crisis.
• It is organised by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit body which is in official relations with the World Health Organisation and is a collaborating body on the Lancet Commission on Obesity.
• The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015. The second took place in 2016 and focused on childhood obesity, aligning with the WHO Commission report on Ending Childhood Obesity.
• World Obesity Day 2017 will be themed "treat obesity now and avoid the consequences later."
• It will call for investment in treatment services to support people affected by obesity, early intervention to improve the success of treatment, and prevention to reduce the need for treatment.
• This campaign reached over six million people in 2016.

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated India Water Week-2017 on October 10, 2017 in New Delhi. Water is essential to life. It is fundamental to the economy and to ecology - and to human equity. The issue of water is becoming still more critical in view of climate change and related environmental concerns. Better and more efficient use of water is a challenge for Indian agriculture and industry alike. It requires us to set new benchmarks in both our villages and in the cities we build. 80 per cent of water in India is used by agriculture and only 15 per cent by industry. In the coming years, this ratio will change. The total demand for water will also rise. Efficiency of water use and reuse, therefore, has to be built into the blueprint of industrial projects. Business and industry need to be a part of the solution. In urban India, 40 billion litres of waste water is produced every day. It is vital to adopt technology to reduce the toxic content of this water, and to deploy it for irrigation and other purposes. This has to be part of any urban planning programme. The stress is on a water management approach that is localised and will empower village and neighbourhood communities and build their capacity to manage, allocate and value their water resources. Any 21st century water policy must factor in the concept of the value of water. It must encourage all stakeholders, including communities, to expand their minds - and to graduate from allocating a quantum of water to allocating a quantum of benefits. The government has prepared a strategic plan for ensuring drinking water supply in all rural areas by 2022, when India complete 75 years of Independence. By that year, the goal is to cover 90 per cent of rural households with piped water supply.

Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental disorders that have an impact on our ability to work, and to work productively. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Many of these people live with both. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Mental health in the workplace is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2017. World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of better mental health. World Mental Health Day seeks to raise awareness of mental health illnesses while educating the population and mobilizing efforts to support mental health. Mental health, which includes a person's emotional, psychological and social well-being, has become increasingly important in recent decades as an estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) established World Mental Health Day in an effort to promote education and advocate for mental health sufferers. The Foundation aims to provide further awareness and assistance for those suffering from a wide range of mental disorders in the hopes of saving lives and increasing quality of life for these individuals.

Territorial Army (TA) celebrated its 68^th Raising Day on Oct 9, 2017. The TA is citizen's army of volunteers, who have the zeal to contribute towards the country's defence. The Territorial Army provides an ideal opportunity to the youth of the country to receive military training in their spare time and serve the Nation in times of national emergency and internal disturbances. The TA is in the process of expanding its footprint with raising of one Infantry Battalion (TA) at Nicobar and an Ecological Task Force Battalion for drought region of Marathwada, in Maharashtra. Also, case for raising of one Composite Ecological Task Force for National Mission for Clean Ganga is in final stages of approval. These new raisings and especially the unit for Namame Ganga Mission will allow the TA to contribute immensely in a National cause. In near future the unique strength of TA could be an ideal platform to build national effort during disaster management. The TA has achieved many glorious feats and earned laurels during the past wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. It has displayed its grit and courage in operations Pawan, Vijay and Parakram. For outstanding performance in various operations, the TA personnel have been conferred with numerous awards. The award of Kirti Chakra (Posthumous) to Maj David Manlun of 164 Inf Bn (TA) (H&H) NAGA and Army Commander’s Unit Citations awarded to three TA units on the occasion of Independence Day 2017 bears testimony to the bravery and unrelenting spirit of the TA. TA: Know More

• After Independence in 1947, the Territorial Army Act was enacted on 18 August 1948 by the Constituent Assembly resulting in the constitution of the present Territorial Army.
• The TA started functioning through re-designation and re-organisation of 11 Indian Territorial Force Infantry units.
• The TA’s first camp was formally inaugurated by Shri C Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor General of India on 09 October 1949 and therefore, 09 Oct is celebrated as TA Day every year.
• With Savdhani and Shoorta as the emblem, the 47,000 strong TA comprises 46 non-departmental units, funded by Ministry of Defence and 18 departmental units, funded by various State Government and Central Ministries like the Oil sector, Railways and Environment. 42 Infantry Battalions with 70% of TA troops being deployed on Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism environment have achieved a high degree of op focus and synergy with relentless efforts.
• 10 Home & Hearth Battalions deployed in Eastern and Northern theatre and three Engineer Regiments deployed in Northern theatre for maintenance of LC Fence are tasked in challenging operational environment and have shown exemplary professional standards, commitment, devotion and dedication to service.
• Departmental units of the TA have always risen to the occasion to support the national effort in rail communications, oil and natural gas refining and supplies.
• Ecological Task Forces have been addressing the environmental concerns in their assigned areas on a war footing and have achieved commendable results.
• The Ecological Force has also taken a unique initiative to help the people of border villages in Malari region of Uttarakhand by planting 4160 saplings of Walnut and Chilgoza to provide them livelihood and prevent economic migration.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and MoS Environment, Forest & Climate Change along with Shri K.J Alphons, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism inaugurated the ‘Paryatan Parv celebrations’ today at Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi. There are close linkage of culture & Tourism in the country and India needs to work showcasing rich cultural heritage as tourism attractions. ‘Paryatan Parv’ activities began with the flagging of the cycle rally by Smt. Rashmi Verma Secretary, Ministry of Tourism from India Gate, New Delhi to Qutab Minar. Approximately 80 cyclists from across Delhi including members of tourism Industry Stakeholders, officials from central Ministries, doctors, teachers, students participated this rally. The other activities in the capital included a guided Heritage walk at Humayun’s Tomb & painting competition for children etc. Tourism awareness Walk & Run were organised in Shillong, Bhubaneswar, Kovalam (Kerala), Hajipur (Bihar), Gurudaspur, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Imphal, Lucknow, Agra, Hyderabad, Gwalior, Bhopal, Panaji(Goa), Delhi. The various State Tourism Departments also joined the celebrations by organising various events like trekking programme, photography contest, essay competitions, sensitization program etc. In Guwahati , the students took to rowing in the Brahmaputra river spreading the message of the fest. The Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Noida organised a painting competition for school children on the theme “Tourism for All” & “DekhoApnaDesh”. During the inauguration, the Ministry of Tourism launched a special film on the concept of ParyatanParv and a promotional film on the various competitions to be organised during the ParyatanParv across India . The microsite on the project “Adopt a Heritage”, www.adoptaheritage.in was unveiled during the inauguration of the “Paryatan Parv” event jointly by the Minister of Culture Sh. Mahesh Sharma and Minister of Tourism, Sh. K.J. Alphons. Ministry of Tourism’s Paryatan Parv: Know More

• Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) envisages to develop the heritage sites and monuments to make them tourist-friendly thereby enhancing the tourism potential and their cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
• The concept was launched by Hon’ble President of India on 27.9.2017 during the National Tourism Awards and World Tourism Day.
• The celebrations will run from October 5-25 2017 across several cities and iconic tourism destinations in the country.
• Throughout these 20 days, the ‘Paryatan Parv’ will give an opportunity for the citizens of the country to explore the cultural heritage and enjoy the diverse cuisine, cultural programmes, music, theatre, etc.

On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (by resolution 45/106) designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons. This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing – which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing – and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly. In 1991, the General Assembly (by resolution 46/91) adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages. Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard. The theme of the 2017 commemoration is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society”.

"Connecting Ships, Ports and People" has been selected as the World Maritime Day theme for 2017. The theme was chosen to provide an opportunity to focus on the many diverse actors involved in the shipping and logistics areas. This year's theme was chosen to provide an opportunity to focus on the many diverse actors involved in the shipping and logistics areas. Its aim is to build on the World Maritime Day theme for 2016, "Shipping: indispensable to the world", by focussing on helping IMO Member States to develop and implement maritime strategies to invest in a joined-up, interagency approach that addresses the whole range of issues. This is including the facilitation of maritime transport, and increasing efficiency, navigational safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime security. This give various UN entities the chance to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a broad response to the challenges facing the world today. Ultimately, more efficient shipping, working in partnership with a port sector supported by governments, will be a major driver towards global stability and sustainable development for the good of all people. The maritime sector, which includes shipping, ports and the people that operate them, can and should play a significant role helping Member States to create conditions for increased employment, prosperity and stability ashore through promoting trade by sea; enhancing the port and maritime sector as wealth creators both on land and, through developing a sustainable blue economy, at sea. World Maritime Day 2017 is formally celebrated at IMO on 28 September 2017. Member States and other entities are invited to celebrate with activities in the same week, and throughout the year.

Launched in 1953, International Translation Day is a relatively recent entry into the calendar of world events. Established by the International Federation of Translators, the annual celebration is an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of translators who endeavour to make the world a slightly smaller place by breaking down language barriers and allowing great literature to be enjoyed far more widely. The work of translators is seen as being of growing importance due to growing opportunities for international travel and globalisation of trade markets. The event is marked with a series of dedicated events, seminars and symposiums across the world. International Translation Day itself coincides with the feast day of St. Jerome, a Christian scholar and priest who was the first person to translate the Bible into Latin from the original Hebrew, making it accessible for the first time to a far wider audience. St. Jerome is the patron saint of translators.