Hello to November! The etymology suggests that it's the ninth month, which is unfortunately not the case. The year is reaching its end. However, since the month doesn't match the etymology, you can choose to ignore the construct of the calendar. This shall keep us all on Cloud 9. We hope you'll remember all the birthdays and anniversaries coming up because November has a lot to offer in 2024!
1st November: Diwali
Credits to Kshama on pinterest.com
This Indian festival of lights needs no introduction. This festival potentially started being celebrated more than 2000 years back! It's also known as Deepavali, derived from Sanskrit and translated as "low of lights". From Sydney to Times Square, Diwali is celebrated around the world on this no-moon night.
It spans over 5 days, each with their own significance; Dhanteras (or Dhanatrayodashi), Naraka Chaturdashi (or Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja, Annakut or Govardhan Puja and Bhai Duj. Buddhists too, celebrate this festival as the time King Ashoka adopted Buddhism, and Jains believe it to be the time of the Anniversary of the attainment of Nirvana by Tirthankar Mahavir. It's a festival where houses are cleaned and decorated, families come together and everything is a little bit brighter, figuratively and literally.
1st November: Author's day
For every aspiring person who holds a pen, dreaming to write their thoughts and feelings onto a piece of paper, this day holds as a reminder of all those who dreamt the same dream in the past, to put their heart and soul into the bringing their words out alive and enriching our world through literature. It’s a day to recognize the creativity, dedication, and hard work that the authors put into crafting words that resonate with readers.
3rd November: International Biosphere Day
Proclaimed by UNESCO in its 44th session, this day stands as a testimony to the urgent need for conservation of the natural wealth we often take for granted. Biospheres are the perfect example of the human-nature harmony that's possible, so let's pay heed to the biospheres in our own country like Nilgiri biosphere reserve, Gulf of Mannar, Nanda Devi and many more!
3rd November: World Sandwich Day
Grilled cheese, club sandwich, banh mi, pinwheel sandwich and of course Mumbai chutney sandwich, which one can savor at our very own sandwich gate, are the variety of tastes that John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich is thought to have invented. This day honors the namesake of this popular on-the-go dish.
7th November: Chhath Puja
Native to the State of Bihar, this ancient fasting festival is sacred to Indian Culture. The "nirjala" or "without water" fast is a sacrifice that many men and women commit to, for granting their hopes and expressing their gratefulness. It's one of the only festivals that prays to both the rising and setting sun, The God of the Sun and his sister, Chhati Maiya (Mother). It is significant for uniting villages and societies as a whole.
7th November: National Cancer Awareness Day
Credits to wockhardthospitals.com
Every age has a Small Pox of its own. Cancer, though non-communicable, is a horrific disease. The lives lost to it have left a void of helplessness in not only the loved ones, but also in humanity. The medical forces continue to fight the battle to this very day. Perhaps, this day aims at spreading awareness to beware and prioritize our health. However, let this be a reminder to the work of the research fellows, who spend day and night plotting the end of this nightmare. Additionally, this day shall be dedicated to the brave victims and survivors, and their families.
10th November: World Public Transport Day
It's the day of that train you take to college or that auto you gratefully catch back home after a day out. This day was an international initiative to promote sustainable travel and public transport and to increase their efficiency.
13th November: National Education Day
National Education Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, an eminent freedom fighter, educationist, and the first Education Minister of independent India. Observed to recognize the importance of education in building a progressive society, this day highlights the need for quality and accessible education for all. National Education Day encourages everyone to commit to an educated future and honor the contributions of the educators.
14th November: Children’s Day
School fairs with raffle draws, dance floors and numerous mouth watering things to eat is the image that comes to mind when you think of Children’s Day at school but besides this the true purpose is to raise awareness about the rights, welfare and education of children. It is celebrated on 14 November every year on the birthday of the first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru who was known to have been fond of children and said that "I have always felt that the children of today will make the India of tomorrow, and, the way we bring them up will determine the future of the country."
9th & 15th November: The New States
In the year 2000, India welcomed the formation of two new states - Uttarakhand and Jharkhand. On the 9th of November, this northern part of Uttar Pradesh became the "northern part" or Uttra-Khand (previously Uttranchal). A similar scenario happened to M.S. Dhoni's home state - Jharkhand, on the 15th. Both these states celebrate their foundations on these days, as a mark of culture, and improved administration.
15th November: Guru Nanak Jayanti / Gurpurab
Credits to mypandit.com
Guru Nanak Jayanti also known as Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. Marked by Kirtans, Katha, and Langar, a special free community lunch brings people together irrespective of their gender, caste or class. A celebration of one of the most important gurus and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrates the birth of not only the founder but also Sikhism as a religion of equality, love and devotion.
16th November: National Press Day
Credits to rightsrisks.org
This day is celebrated every year to recognise and honor the existence of the Press Council of India which is a self regulatory authority of the press, for the press and by the press. It is a celebration for a free and answerable press in India.
19th November: International Men's day
International Men's Day started in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999, it was created by Dr. Jerome Tuluck Singh to commemorate his father's birthday. 22 years later, it is now celebrated in over 80 countries with the aim of highlighting the social issues faced by men both mentally and physically. It's also a day to remember all the male figures in our lives and thank them for their contributions and their positive role in our lives. It is also known as Movember, as men grow mustaches to raise awareness about men's health conditions.
21st November: World Television Day
The purpose of a day dedicated to televisions is for us to realize its impact. On this note, here are a few words Roald Dahl, apt for the occasion.
"It Rots The Sense In The Head!
It Kills Imagination Dead!
It Clogs And Clutters Up The Mind!
It Makes A Child So Dull And Blind
He Can No Longer Understand
A Fantasy, A Fairyland!
His Brain Becomes As Soft As Cheese!
His Powers Of Thinking Rust And Freeze!
He Cannot Think - He Only Sees!"
26th November: Constitution Day
Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, commemorates the adoption of one of the longest documents in the world, the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. While women worldwide fought their governments for voting rights, the Constitution ensured Equality for people regardless of gender, caste, creed, race.
Acknowledging and appreciating the Rights and responsibilities that serve as the rigid framework to run the nation, and holding the power of democracy safekeeping the citizens, the day honors those leaders who drafted The Indian Constitution.
This day also marks the birth anniversary of the Father of the White Revolution in India- Dr. Verghese Kurien.
28th November: Thanksgiving Day
Quite a bunch of festivals are a celebration of the harvest reaped, owing to our pre-industrialised agrarian culture. In India, most of these festivals occur in the springtime. In North America, however, Thanksgiving day is an autumn festival. Initially, it was a day for the Protestant Christians. However, it has transformed into an opportunity to just be grateful. Several other festivals like the World Hello Day (21st November) and the World Kindness Day (13th November) accompany the tradition. It almost seems like autumn reserves the warmth of empathy, compassion and gratefulness from the summer, for the cold months. November is certainly quite moral in its virtues.
The succeeding weekend brings with it Black Friday, where all of our pockets go empty to save some money on discount. It is a cultural beginning for Christmas preparations.
- Naveli, Allen George, Pranjali Shah & Shefali Dubey
Volunteers, Editorial Committee 2024-25
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