Children’s Day is celebrated with enthusiasm and enthusiasm across the country on 14th November every year. It is celebrated in remembrance of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birthday. However, in different countries it is observed on different dates.
The first ever Children’s day was celebrated in 1954. The idea of a universal Children’s Day was suggested by Mr. V.K. Krishna Menon and it adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. At first it was celebrated universally in the month of October. After 1959, November 20th was chosen as Children’s day as it marked the anniversary day when the Declaration of the Child Rights was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child was also signed on the same date. However, in India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday was declared as Children’s Day and is celebrated annually to cherish his love and attachment for children.
The Prime Minister, commonly known as Chacha Nehru among children, considered children the real strength of a nation and foundation of society. India has been celebrating Children’s Day from 1956 but then it was celebrated on November 20. After the death of the prime minister, his birth anniversary was chosen as the date for Children’s Day in India.
Jawaharlal Nehru was commonly known as ‘Chacha Nehru’ or ‘Chacha ji’. There are several stories on why he was called ‘Chacha’. One story suggests that Nehru was called ‘Chacha’ because his friendly attitude towards kids. However, another story suggests that Nehru was called Chacha because his closeness with Mahatma Gandhi. It is believed that Nehru was like a younger brother for Mahatma Gandhi and thus is known as ‘Chacha’.
Nehru was a strong advocate of the importance of education when it came to children. As a newly decolonised country, Nehru believed that good education would lift the poverty-stricken populations from their misery. He went to the United Kingdom for higher education himself at the Harrow School in London and at Trinity College, Cambridge.
With his vision, Nehru established some of the reputed educational institutions of India including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs).
Children’s day is celebrated all over India to honor children and Jawaharlal Nehru on his birthday. There are many functions, events and programmes organized in schools and other organization. Many government departments, corporate institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) announce various schemes and organize a variety of competitions and events for the children. Many schools have cultural programmes in which teachers get involved and perform for the students. Special television and radio programmes are aired for children on this day. For children, this is a day of joy, freedom and to engage in fun. Children’s film festivals are also organized on this day.
Children’s Day serves as the perfect occasion for spreading awareness about the rights, care and education of a child. In schools, libraries and community parks, children are given gifts. Teachers and parents also organise cultural functions and friendly competitions. However, with schools being closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrations are surely to be hit.
This day bears importance as it is dedicated to children, who will one day lead the country towards development. Nehru was not only fond of kids but he was also responsible for the establishment of the ‘Children’s Film Society India’ in 1955 to create indigenous cinema for children.
Apart from the tribute Children’s Day offers to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the celebration speaks of children’s rights, care and education. Chacha Nehru said: “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.” The first Prime Minister of India had a clear vision of what modern India should look like and he set out to realise his dreams by establishing strong pillars which would support the newly independent nation back then.
As we all know, children are the future of the country. Child participation is important in the development of the country. The development of the child is essential. If children are not developed properly, the development of the country will also be hampered. It requires discussion and analysis of the golden development of the child. A number of cultural programmes are carried out on the occasion of Children’s Day in which children are made aware. It is necessary to educate children in modern times.
