International Lefthanders Day is annually celebrated on 13 August to mark the uniqueness of the left-handed people around the world.
- International Lefthanders Day is designated to raise awareness about the challenges that they face while living in a right-hand-centric world.
- The year 2022 marks the 31st anniversary of International Lefthanders Day .
Background:
i.The International Lefthanders Day was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, the founder of Left-Handers International Inc.
ii.However, the day got its recognition by the Left-Handers Club in 1992 and since then, this annual event is marked on 13 August.
- The main motto of the club was to acknowledge left-handers’ challenges in everyday life and promote unique strength instead of their oddities.
Significance:
i.Almost 13 percent of the World’s population including many eminent celebrities and great individuals is left-handed.
ii.In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, popular actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar fall in this particular category.
About Lefthanders:
i.Human brain is cross-wired which means the right side of the brain operates the left side of the body and vice versa. Thus, lefties use the right side of the brain more than the left one.
ii.People who are afraid of left-handed people or the left side are considered to suffer from a phobia named ‘Sinistrophobia’.
Additional info:
i.Around 13 % of the population across the globe are lefties.
ii.Cerebral Dominance : The Biological Foundations ‘ , a research book , states that lefties are 11 times more likely to get allergies compared to right – handers .
