December 1 is every year commemorated as World AIDS Day. Around the world, people unite to support people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.

This 2020 coronavirus pandemic has shown that no one is safe until everyone is safe. If we want to succeed or develop, then leaving people behind is not an option. To end the colliding pandemics like HIV and COVID-19, we have to eliminate discrimination, put people at the center, and must have gender-responsive approaches. With this point in mind, the World AIDS Day 2020 Theme is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”.

Global solidarity and shared responsibility require the world to come together to ensure that:

Health is fully financed. Domestic and International Governments must come together and funding for health must be increased.

Health systems are strengthened. To strengthen the health system and health care workers, more investments in response to  AIDS must be done.

Human rights are respected. A human rights approach applied everywhere will produce sustainable results for health.

Access is ensured. Life-saving medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics must be considered as public goods and it must be ensured that these goods are easily accessible to everyone.

After considering all these points, now is the moment for bold leadership for equal societies, the right to health for all, and a robust and equitable global recovery to achieve healthier societies.

Information source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-aids-day

To celebrate the cultural heritage diversity and to bring the attention to conserve monuments and sites globally, World heritage day is celebrated on April 18 worldwide. The day World heritage increases awareness about preserving the history, vulnerability, and diversity of heritage sites and monuments globally. It also aims to recognize the efforts of different organizations in this field. These include architects, engineers, geographers, artists, civil engineers, and archaeologists.

About World Heritage Day

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) announced the 18th April as World Heritage Day in 1982. This was approved by the general assembly of UNESCO in the year 1983. The objective of World Heritage Day is to emphasize the importance of safeguarding various sites around the world that have achieved world heritage status and the challenges involved in protecting these sites.

World Heritage Day 2020 Theme

The World Heritage Day 2020 theme is “Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility”. The theme for ‘Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility’, reflects the global context of heritage as a part of cultural identity at a time of rapid population shift, conflict, and environmental uncertainty. The theme also recognizes that heritage(whether places, landscapes, practices, or collections) are frequently connected with and valued by multiple and diverse groups or communities. At its core, the overarching theme is concerned with the relationships between cultures and cultural groups or their collective responsibility for the care and safeguarding of the significant attributes, meaning, and values of heritage.

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

1. Agra Fort (1983)
2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
8. Elephanta Caves (1987)
9. Ellora Caves (1983)
10. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
11. Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
12. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
13. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
15. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
16. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
17. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
18. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
19. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
20. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
21. Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
22. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
23. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
24. Red Fort Complex (2007)
25. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
26. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
27. Taj Mahal (1983)
28. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
29. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
30. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
31. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
32. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
33. Keoladeo National Park (1985)
34. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
35. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
36. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
37. Western Ghats (2012)
38. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)