OCTOBER FESTIVAL CALENDAR

The AICUF Story, for the first time, presents to you, the OCTOBER FESTIVAL CALENDAR! Your go-to guides for all festivals and celebrations worldwide, a melting pot of culture, tradition, and heritage. Each day, let’s choose to honor these legacies with a little practice of our own. 

International Coffee Day
1st October
Your energizing morning brew takes quite a trek before it fills up your cup and your body with the power to take on the day. Every year, a day is set aside to appreciate all the hands involved in delivering you the cup of coffee. From the plantation farmer to the packaging worker at the factory, all get the appreciation they deserve, remember this on your first coffee of the month! 

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
2nd October
Our independence is forged with the grit and resilience of hearts who saw their brother stepped on again and again by the shoes of the oppressors. We mark this day in our calendar to pay tribute to one of the leaders of the movement, Mahatma Gandhi. We remember him and the other soldiers and express our gratitude for the freedom they earned for us.

Navratri 3rd October to 12th October This festival, a vibrant tapestry of dance, devotion, and culture has blossomed over centuries into one of the most joyful times of the year. Honoring the different forms of Goddess Durga across nine nights, celebrations across the country involve Garba and Dandiya, the traditional dance forms of Western India, fasting and prayers, visiting pandals of idols, and immersion on the 10th day.

World Animal Welfare Day 4th October There has always been a furry mate when the humans around you didn’t offer you a shoulder to lean on. Today we pause to appreciate them and advocate for them. You use your voice to speak about their welfare and their rights; the world is their home too.

World Smile Day 4th October We have all had a tough day now and then. A simple smile would have been all we needed to find the courage to keep moving forward. This day is to understand that and appreciate smiles. This day is to take an oath to spread kindness in the world. The world is a cruel, harsh place. Let's brighten it up a little.

Indian Air Force Day 

8th October

With the theme of "Indian Air Force: Capable, Strong, and Self-reliant,” the IAF ( Indian Air Force )  is all set to celebrate its 92nd year to showcase the power of India's air defense. Remember to look up to the skies to see jets like the Su-30, MiG-29, LCA, and Jaguars zooming by. 

Durga Puja 

9th-13th October 

Durgotsava, one of the essential festivals celebrated by Hindus, especially the Bengali community commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur with including Maha Sashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Maha Dashami, welcoming Mata Durga to our abodes after her victory.

World Mental Health Day

10th October

With the recent surge in knowledge as well as the pursuit of understanding mental health, this day is now incredibly well-known and celebrated. Recently, Indian society’s taboo regarding mental health and treatments is being torn down by the new generation who do not from this impenetrable wall of questions. This year's theme, Workplace Mental Health, is especially significant as the workplace often feels like a constant race with no end line in sight. This day is to remind you to take more chai breaks when you can feel your cup of work overflowing and never hesitate to ask for help.

International Day of Girl Child 

11th October

The International Day of the Girl Child focuses on empowering girls and advancing their rights. This year, under the theme "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being," it calls for greater investments in education, healthcare, and leadership opportunities for girls. The day highlights ongoing challenges like gender inequality and limited access to education, urging global efforts to create spaces where girls can thrive and lead. 

Dussehra 

12th October

Marking the victory of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Rama defeating Ravana, celebrations involve colorful processions, burning Ravana's effigy, and lively performances. Wrapping up the nine nights of Navratri, Dussehra is a time for celebration, reflection, and embracing the spirit of renewal and victory, both spiritual and moral.

Vidyarambham

13th October 

This festival from Kerala marks the beginning of formal education for children, typically around the age of three. During this ceremony, children write their first letters in a tray of rice or flour, symbolizing the start of their academic journey, and are accompanied by prayers for wisdom and knowledge. Families gather for blessings, and schools emphasize the cultural importance of education during this auspicious occasion.

World White Cane Day 15th October A day dedicated to the visually challenged, we celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane. A national holiday in the US, this event has also gained global traction as we aim to educate ourselves, aid, and appreciate our peers’ success.

World Food Day

16th October

World Food Day highlights the different foods of different cultures, bringing together various communities. It also shows the value of food as a major necessity of life and the problems faced in terms of food’s scarcity.  A good day to try a new dish and appreciate the culinary heritage our country has to offer! 

National Medical Assistants Day

18th October

A day to honor medical assistants who work tirelessly with our “warriors without borders”, this day commemorates their recognition from a non-credential profession to one where they are appreciated. While we celebrate doctors, let us not forget the contribution of all healthcare professionals. 

International Artist’s Day
25th October
Celebrating the birthday of the renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, this day traces the evolution of human creativity, from old sculptures, artifacts, and rock art to modern-day murals and installations acknowledging the profound impact art has on life and life, on art. Take this day as an opportunity to explore and express through your version of art! 

Halloween
31st October
Spooky tales, dressing up, and candy! That’s how we have seen Halloween being celebrated as a National Holiday in the US and most recently, the cultural intrigue and excitement of this festival can be observed among Indian youth as well. A day to appreciate the eerie aspects of life, do not miss this opportunity to end the month with your favorite sweets and a horror movie! 

- Nila M. Varma, Gressica Gandhi, Eshwari Kamble, Latika Shetty

Volunteers, Editorial Committee