Latest news with #WorldCaringDay
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Teaching students about compassion
The impact of kindness, compassion, and empathy can have in building a better world. For educators and parents, this day offers a powerful opportunity to instill these values in students—helping shape not just smarter, but more compassionate individuals. In a world that often feels divided and fast-paced, young people are increasingly facing challenges around connection, inclusion, and emotional well-being. Teaching students the importance of caring—not just for others, but also for themselves and the planet—can equip them with critical life skills like emotional intelligence, empathy, and collaboration. So, what does caring look like in action for students? It could be as simple as helping a classmate, writing a thank-you note to a teacher, spending time with someone who feels left out, or participating in a community clean-up. These small acts, when done consistently, foster a sense of belonging and responsibility. Educators can use World Caring Day as a platform to design meaningful classroom activities. Discussions, storytelling sessions, and role-playing scenarios can help students reflect on how kindness impacts others. Group projects like 'The Kindness Tree,' where students add leaves with their caring acts, or creating care packages for local shelters, can make learning interactive and impactful. It's equally important to emphasize self-care and mental health. Encouraging students to recognize and express their emotions, take breaks, and support peers helps build resilience and mutual respect. World Caring Day is not just about celebration—it's a call to action. When we teach children that caring is a strength, not a weakness, we empower them to create kinder classrooms, communities, and futures. Let's nurture empathy in the next generation—because a caring world begins with caring hearts.
IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
The Hangout: A (caring) bridge over troubled water
Today could be one of my favourite days of the year, right next to the International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March- but was actually established by the UN General Assembly on 28 June 2012. The International Day of Happiness aims to help people around the world realise the importance of happiness in their lives. I mean, we all know it's important, but sometimes it just feels a little harder to find- or sometimes even impossible. Sigh. It's the little things, though, and that's why today is so important too. It's World Caring Day today, and it was only made official in 2022. I know I harp on about spreading kindness pretty often, but I think it's so important- it can change lives like a domino effect. I also think that, with the amount of stress and struggle out there right now, we forget to be a bit more understanding and a little more compassionate. And honestly, that's totally understandable if you've just hit seven ginormous potholes in 300 metres, your 19th friend has emigrated, your fridge has just packed up, and your boss can't pay you on time. Stuff is hard. And it's getting harder. But that smile you share with a stranger in the grocery store, or that half a sandwich you give to the guy at the traffic light or stop street- it helps. It all helps. And we have to try to remember that, no matter what we're going through, someone else out there is going through worse. That little bit of love you give today might just come back to you like a boomerang tomorrow. I don't think you should ever give just to get something in return- but I'm pretty sure that's how karma works, isn't it? So- World Caring Day! What are you going to do today to celebrate it? I think it should be as important as any other big day. A public holiday even (haha kidding)! Do something, no matter how big or small, to brighten your own life- or someone else's. Be kind to yourself. Show yourself a little love. Or treat someone to a surprise, like it's Easter or Valentine's Day. We all try to do our 67 minutes for Mandela Day, so why not this too? I'm sure Madiba would be pretty happy to know there are even more days when people lend a helping hand and show a little extra kindness. World Caring Day traces its roots back to 7 June 1997, inspired by the brief but meaningful nine-day life of baby Brighid. Born prematurely, Brighid's journey sparked something powerful- Sona Mehring, a software engineer and family friend, created the very first CaringBridge website to keep loved ones informed and connected. Through this site, Brighid's family received not only updates but also an outpouring of love, support, and comfort when they needed it most. It was like an online support group- at a time when social media didn't even exist yet! What started as a simple act of care quickly grew into something much bigger- a global community called CaringBridge. This non-profit is all about bringing families and friends together during life's toughest health journeys, offering a space filled with love, comfort, and support. Since 2021, around 45 million people from across the globe have visited CaringBridge. Every hour, more than 1,900 heartfelt messages of hope and encouragement are shared with loved ones through the site. Maybe you're also in need of a little care, inspiration, or advice right now- so head over to Go for that meal you can't really afford. Tell the cashier she looks lovely today. Take yourself to the movies and switch off from all your problems for an hour or two. Or take a walk in the park with your phone on silent. Be kind to yourself and to others today- and maybe that kindness will catch on and carry over into tomorrow, and the next day too. Now, I'm already getting excited for National Hug & High Five Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. on 12 September… but I'll be celebrating it here anyway. Who's with me? Can I just say yay.
Fashion Value Chain
4 days ago
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
Asian Paints and St+art India Foundation Mark World Caring Day with ‘Project Udaan'
In a heartfelt celebration of World Caring Day, Asian Paints and the St+art India Foundation launches Project Udaan at Arpan Charitable Trust in Vadodara-an institution that supports and educates children with special needs. As the latest chapter under their St+art Care initiative, the project reimagines the school environment for neurodivergent children with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, through thoughtful use of colour, texture, and material. With interactive, sensory-friendly zones, Project Udaan creates a space that feels safe, engaging, and joyful, honouring the different ways children see, feel, and connect with the world around them. Asian Paints St+art India – Project Udaan, Arpan Charitable Trust interiors Born out of a shared vision between Asian Paints and the St+art India Foundation, St+art Care is a long-term initiative dedicated to making public institutions more inclusive, welcoming, and emotionally responsive through the power of art and design. Project Udaan is the third intervention under this initiative, following a vibrant transformation of a children's hospital in Noida and Project Sparsh at a school for the visually impaired in Rajasthan. Each project reflects a deeper purpose-not just to beautify spaces, but to create impact, spark connection, and start conversations around care, inclusion and empathy. Project Udaan draws inspiration from the butterfly, a symbol of transformation, while also echoing this year's World Caring Day theme, 'Celebrating Every Journey.' At Arpan, the school's play area has been reimagined to bring this vision to life. With Asian Paints' carefully curated textures, colours, and interactive surfaces, a once ordinary space has been transformed into a vibrant environment that both soothes and engages the senses. A soaring butterfly mural on the school's faade now stands as a symbol of hope and possibility, a gentle reminder of the beauty of growth and the limitless potential within every neurodiverse child. Developed through a co-creation process with students, artists, and designers, Project Udaan was led by artists Amrit Khurana and Anikesa Dhing. Drawing from her lived experience with autism, Khurana designed tactile, predictable elements that promote comfort and expression. Dhing complemented this with textured contrasts to encourage calm interaction. A hands-on workshop at Arpan, facilitated by Siddhanth Shah of Access For ALL, gave children the chance to explore textures, tools and colours, ensuring their voices directly shaped the final design. Asian Paints' expertise in material and colour innovation brought the vision to life with Royale Play textures, matte pastel emulsions, and tactile Nilaya fabrics and wallpapers. These elements create an engaging, multi-sensory environment that stimulates exploration while offering grounding. The matte finishes reduce glare for visual ease, while sensory rugs, pompom-textured surfaces, and cocoon-like structures cater to diverse sensory needs. Speaking about the initiative, Amit Syngle, MD & CEO, Asian Paints said, 'At Asian Paints, we believe spaces should do more than exist-they should evolve with their users. Project Udaan under St+art Care reimagines how thoughtful design can create an inclusive environment, where walls invite interaction, and colour provides clarity and comfort. By integrating textures that respond to touch and materials that support sensory needs, we've built a space that adapts to children, rather than the other way around. While we continuously reinvent ourselves to create beautiful homes for our consumers, we extend the same passion and empathy to create beautiful and safe spaces for all, with our partners at St+art India.' Arjun Bahl, Co-founder, St+art India Foundation, added, 'With St+art Care, we extend our vision of making spaces more open, accessible and engaging. Project Udaan transforms art from a decorative element to an interactive experience, creating familiarity and comfort for neurodivergent children. This initiative is about rethinking how creative interventions can transform everyday spaces into something more intuitive and inclusive. At its heart, Udaan embodies ArtForAll, where design is a language that speaks to everyone, regardless of how they see or experience the world.' Project Udaan – A space for neurodivergent individuals by Asian Paints and St+art India Witness the unique Project Udaan by Asian Paints and St+art India in this YouTube video: About Asian Paints Limited Since its founding in 1942, Asian Paints has become India's leading and Asia's second-largest paint company, with a consolidated turnover of Rs. 33,797 crores (Rs. 338 billion). It continues to uplift spaces, transcend the boundaries of colour and design, creating a positive impact on the lives of customers. The organization operates in 14 countries and has 26 paint manufacturing facilities globally, servicing consumers in over 60 countries. Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating and introducing new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Beautiful Homes Painting Service, Colour Next, and Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Stores. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints and coatings for Decorative and Industrial use and also offers specialized painting and interior decor solutions. The decorative business portfolio also includes the SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes, and the Adhesives range for all surfaces. Asian Paints also offers a wide range of Home Dcor products and is one of the leading players in the integrated decor space in India, offering Modular Kitchens and wardrobes, Bath Fittings and Sanitaryware, Decorative Lightings, uPVC windows and doors, Wall coverings, Furnitures, Furnishings, Rugs, etc. About St+art India Since 2014, St+art India Foundation has been working across the country to reimagine public spaces through art, making creativity more accessible and inclusive. In a country where art is often confined to galleries and a select audience, St+art fosters new ways of experiencing art-bringing it into the everyday lives of people and bridging socio-cultural divides. Through art districts, festivals, and public interventions, St+art has transformed urban landscapes across 25+ cities, creating meaningful engagements between communities, artists, institutions, and local governments. Over the last decade, the foundation has facilitated 500+ artist collaborations, producing over 600 murals and installations in India's major cities. These projects have not only revitalized cityscapes but have also provided platforms for cultural exchange, dialogue, and collective expression. With seven art districts and 25+ festivals to its name, St+art continues to champion the idea of ArtForAll, ensuring that art is not just seen but experienced, interacted with, and shared.
