Daily Current Affairs Notes for 11 April 2023

 

National Safe Motherhood Day 2023

Every year on April 11, National Safe Motherhood Day is observed with the aim of promoting the well-being and safety of mothers and expectant mothers by increasing awareness about proper healthcare. This initiative, launched by the Indian government, is aimed at reducing the number of maternal and neonatal deaths. In the past, India was known as one of the most dangerous countries to give birth, responsible for 15% of all maternal deaths worldwide.

The White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) initiated the annual event of National Safe Motherhood Day with the objective of emphasizing the importance of adequate healthcare facilities for mothers, particularly during pregnancy. The WRAI aimed to create awareness about healthy healthcare practices and the availability and accessibility of healthcare initiatives for women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. The initiative also aimed to encourage the government to prioritize maternal health, considering that India was once recognized as one of the most dangerous countries to give birth in, responsible for 15% of all maternal fatalities worldwide.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: Significance

National Safe Motherhood Day is observed with the primary aim of promoting the importance of maternal health and the need for adequate medical care during and after pregnancy. It is intended to raise awareness among both the government and the public about the critical role of maternal health and to emphasize the need to prioritize the well-being of mothers and their newborns.

Maternal mortality remains a major concern in India, with many women losing their lives due to preventable causes related to childbirth. National Safe Motherhood Day highlights the need to ensure access to quality maternal healthcare services and address the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to maternal mortality.

History of the National Safe Motherhood Day 2023

In 2003, the Indian government declared April 11 as National Safe Motherhood Day following the persistent efforts of the White Ribbon Alliance India. This date holds special significance as it marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer and the wife of Mahatma Gandhi. Since then, various awareness campaigns and events have been organized throughout the country to observe the day. Each year, the WRAI plans different programs and awareness initiatives based on a specific theme, although the theme for this year's National Safe Motherhood Day has yet to be announced. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of providing access to high-quality maternal healthcare services and addressing the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to maternal mortality in India.

About the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA)

The White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) is a global organization that was founded in 1999 with the goal of promoting the health and rights of mothers and newborns. The organization operates in over 50 countries worldwide and seeks to empower individuals, communities, and organizations to demand and receive quality maternal and newborn healthcare services. The WRA advocates for policies and programs that enhance access to quality healthcare services for mothers and newborns, and it also supports gender equality, women's rights, and reproductive health and rights.

Jalabala Vaidya, a well-known theatre artist and co-founder of Akshara Theatre in Delhi, has passed away at the age of 86. She was born in London to Suresh Vaidya, an Indian author and freedom fighter, and Madge Franckeiss, an English classical singer. Jalabala Vaidya began her career as a journalist and contributed to various national newspapers and magazines in Delhi.

Jalabala Vaidya, who recently passed away at the age of 86, was a highly acclaimed theatre artist and recipient of numerous prestigious awards. These include the Varisht Samman by the Delhi government, the Tagore Award by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Delhi Natya Sangh Award, the Andhra Pradesh Natya Akademi Honor, and Honorary Citizenship of the City of Baltimore, USA. Jalabala Vaidya was married twice, first to journalist and columnist C.P Ramachandran, and later to playwright-poet Gopal Sharman. She began her theatre career with “Full Circle” in 1968 and co-founded Akshara Nati. Over the course of her career, Jalabala Vaidya played lead roles in more than 20 plays, including “Full Circle”, “The Ramayana”, “Let’s Laugh Again”, ‘Larflarflarf’, “The Bhagavad Gita”, “The Cabuliwala”, ‘Gitanjali’, and ‘The Strange Case of Billy Biswas”.