The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Charity is annually observed across the globe on 5th September to sensitise and mobilise the people across the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/67/105 on 17th December 2012 and designated the 5th September of every year as the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Charity was observed on 5th September 2013.
Why September 5?
The date of 5 September was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of 1979 Nobel peace prize laureate Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Importance of charity:
i.Charity is a notation of volunteerism and philanthropy which provides social bonding and contribute to the creation of inclusive and resilient societies.
ii.Charity assists in the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
iii.It also promotes the rights of marginalized and underprivileged people and promotes the importance of humanity in conflict situations.
About Mother Teresa:
i.Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on 26th August 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia.
ii.Mother Teresa, the renowned nun and missionary, died on September 5, 1997.
iii.Mother Teresa was canonized as Saint Teresa of Kolkata by Pope Francis on 4th September 2016.
Works and recognitions:
i.She established the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation in the
Catholic Church, in 1950 in Calcutta, India.
ii.In 1965 the Society became an International Religious Family by a decree of Pope Paul VI.
iii.The government of India honoured her with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work.
iv.She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for her work for bringing help to suffering humanity”.
v.She has received several awards and distinctions which also include,
- Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971)
- the Nehru Prize for her promotion of international peace and understanding (1972).
- Balzan Prize (1979)
- The Templeton Prise (1973)
- Ramon Magsaysay Award(1962)