Associate Sponsors

Co-sponsor

image

World Autism Awareness Day

About World Autism Awareness Day

Facebook IconLinkedIN Icon

When is World Autism Awareness Day

The World Autism Awareness Day is held every year on April 2. It is recognised by the United Nations’ member states as a day to remember the rights of autistic individuals around the world.
 
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared the day to advocate the need for persons with autism to be able to lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of the society. The day was proposed by UN representatives from Qatar.
 
The day is one of the only seven official health-specific days recognised by the UN.
What is autism?
 
Autism is a neurological, lifelong condition. It can affect anybody, irrespective of gender, race, or economic background. The condition consists of various characteristics, and the severity and presence of the characteristics exist on what is called the “autism spectrum”.  
 
One of the characteristics of autism is a certain way of social interaction. An autistic individual may also have an inclination towards specific subjects, or standard routines. They may have a different way of perceiving sensory information.
 
Many a time, individuals with this condition are stigmatized or discriminated against, and this poses many hurdles for them in society. It is estimated that around 1 per cent of the world population is impacted by autism.
 
#LightItUpBlue and other initiatives
 
The day allows several public policy institutions and other organisations to come together and build on new initiatives to educate and create awareness. One of the initiatives is ‘Light It Up Blue’, organised by the Autism Speaks organization. Those in support for the cause and who like to raise more awareness wear the colour blue in solidarity. Several landmarks such as the Niagara Falls, the US Empire State Building, and the White House glow up blue on this day.
 
Other initiatives include organising educational and learning programmes all across the world. In addition to the day, the entire month of April is recognised as the autism awareness month.

Here are the latest news from Business Standard

Latest News

Indian Railways freight rises 4% in February to 137.72 million tonnes

Railways ferried 137.72 mt of goods in February, up 4% year-on-year, with growth across key commodities and NTKM rising, though experts say double-digit expansion is needed to meet long-term goals

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:39 PM IST

US customs agency says tariff refund system will be ready in 45 days

The tariffs that were a central part of President Donald Trump's economic policy were struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last month

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:34 PM IST

Ex-rapper's party heading towards landslide victory in Nepal elections

The outcome is expected to provide a strong government in Nepal, which has had 14 governments in the last 18 years

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:32 PM IST

RBI draft proposes up to ₹25,000 compensation for small digital frauds

RBI's draft rules propose compensation of up to ₹25,000 for digital fraud losses of up to ₹50,000, even in cases of customer negligence, if reported within five days

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:28 PM IST

Karnataka proposes social media ban for children under 16 in Budget

Karnataka has proposed banning social media use for children under 16, with Andhra Pradesh and the Centre weighing similar curbs as concerns grow over digital addiction and harmful content

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:23 PM IST

West Asia crisis: Down 3%, Indian stocks log worst week in over one year

Benchmark indices log their steepest weekly losses in over a year as surging crude oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions dampen investor sentiment

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:18 PM IST

West Asia war: Better placed than 1991, but impact may be longer, say govt

A prolonged conflict in the region can be detrimental to the economy, placing pressure on inflation, exchange rate, trade and capital flows, the balance of payments, and the current account deficit

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:14 PM IST

EPFO panel flags rising unclassified balances, seeks March-end roadmap

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation finance panel seeks roadmap to clear suspense account balances by March 31 amid concerns over rising unclassified funds

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:33 PM IST

Technolegal approach of India on AI pragmatic: Wipro's Ivana Bartoletti

India's techno-legal AI governance model, built on soft guidelines and shared responsibility, is practical for rapidly evolving technology, says Wipro's Global Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:10 PM IST

Wes Asia crisis: India bulks up Russia oil; US allows 30-day waiver

Now at a premium, Russian crude imports surge after start of war in West Asia

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:08 PM IST

India's electric vehicle sales revved up across categories in February

However, month-on-month, there was a decline over January's high base

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:07 PM IST

David vs Goliath: Iran war reveals pricing asymmetry of weapons systems

Wars, as the historian Correlli Barnett once argued, are the ultimate audit. They reveal the strengths and weaknesses of states, economies, and institutions

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:04 PM IST

India's forex reserves hit record $728.5 bn on gold, currency gains

India's foreign exchange reserves rose to a record $728.49 billion in the week ended February 27, driven by higher gold reserves and foreign currency assets, according to RBI data

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 11:02 PM IST

Datanomics: Women's Day highlights India's long road to equality

The occasion offers a moment to reflect on how close our country truly is to gender parity

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:57 PM IST

Farmers' earnings may come under pressure if West Asia exports stay stuck

Centre says India is sitting on 36.5 per cent more fertiliser stocks as on March 6, compared to last year; farmers fully insulated from global shocks

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:53 PM IST

Govt bond yields rise as crude surges; RBI steps in with OMO purchases

Government bond yields rose on Friday as crude and OIS rates climbed, before the RBI announced ₹1 trillion of bond purchases to ease liquidity tightness expected from March tax outflows

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:49 PM IST

Air India Express, Akasa add flights to Ahmedabad for T20 World Cup final

Akasa Air will operate special direct flights between Mumbai and Ahmedabad on March 8 and 9, complementing its existing network between the two cities

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:49 PM IST

Cruising on the road less taken: Indian women are rewiring motorsport

As women open new doors everywhere, the gaps in motorsports - on and off the track - also stand exposed. An International Women's Day feature

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:47 PM IST

Energy shocks from West Asia will have knock-on effects on India's economy

The Strait of Hormuz is currently closed to shipping, choking off 20 per cent of global oil and gas supply

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:47 PM IST

GIC Re withdraws marine cargo war cover for facultative contracts

State-owned reinsurer GIC Re withdraws marine cargo war cover for facultative reinsurance contracts in several high-risk maritime zones amid rising tensions near the Strait of Hormuz

Updated On: 06 Mar 2026 | 10:46 PM IST