Children’s Day brings to mind classrooms decorated with balloons and paper garlands, classic cartoon characters drawn on blackboards with colored chalk, and a joyous atmosphere. The best part though was the special performances by the teachers and the class party afterward—a paper plate with a slice of cake, some potato chips bought from the local hot chips store, a tetra pack of mango juice, and maybe a toffee or two—served as snacks.
Children’s Day in India is observed on the 14th of November every year with great joy. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Independent India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, to honor his legacy as a champion for children’s rights.
The children affectionately called him ‘Chacha Nehru’
Let’s Learn About The History
Did you know that before 1957 India celebrated Universal Children’s Day with the rest of the world on the 20th of November? The date was shifted to the 14th only after the death of Pandit Nehru.
It was his faith that the country’s future rested on its children and his immense contributions to making policies that made a lasting impact on children’s rights that led to this decision. In an interview, Nehru expressed his belief that the children of today will make the India of tomorrow and stressed the importance of giving them a good upbringing.
The seed idea for observing Children’s was to celebrate children and collect funds for NGOs that were working for underprivileged children in India. In the early years, public gatherings would be organized to pay tribute to Nehru and then there would be some fun games for the children. These days however things are done a bit differently.
The Significance of the Event
So What is the purpose or objective of celebrating children’s day?
- To celebrate children and childhood: Children are a precious part of our society and childhood is a formative time in one’s life. On this day a child’s unique qualities, talents, and abilities are celebrated.
- Awareness initiatives: Children's Day is used to raise awareness about the struggles and challenges that children face, especially about those children who belong to economically weaker sections of society.
- Encourage education and play: On this day educators help children understand the importance of a sound education and also highlight the advantages of play and recreational activities.
- Promoting children’s safety: childhood years are crucial in the development and formation of a child into an adult in the future. This makes it extremely important to prioritize a safe environment for the child to grow up in.
Children's Day is a holiday with a strong purpose.
Here are a few ways in which you can celebrate Children’s Day a little differently this year.
Conclusion
Children's Day celebrations are a great time to celebrate the essence of childhood—a magical time that leaves a lasting impact—and use it to mold young minds that can grow up to become mindful adults. Adults who care about the environment and work towards making a better future. Start them young.
