Children of our World!

Children's Day, also known as “Bal Diwas” is celebrated every year in India on the 14th of November to honour the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. 

As is evident from what he expressed, Panditji’s wholehearted love for children was so immense that his birthday came to be better known as Children’s Day in India. Not just that, but his utmost care, love & affection for children is also the biggest reason why he is known as “Chacha Nehru’’ among kids.

It was celebrated in India for the first time on the 14th of November 1957. Apart from Nehru’s birth anniversary, it is also celebrated to raise awareness towards children's education and rights to ensure that proper care is accessible to all.

The day throws light on the importance that every child, irrespective of their caste, creed, financial or political status, has a right to get basic amenities, including education, healthcare, and sanitation.

Here are the rights of children as per the Constitution of India:

• Right to free and compulsory elementary education for all children in the 6-14 year age group 

• Right to be protected from any hazardous employment

• Right to early childhood care and education

• Right to be protected from abuse

• Right to be protected from the economic necessity to enter occupations unsuited to their age or strength

• Right to equal opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner

• Right to freedom and dignity and guaranteed protection of childhood and youth against exploitation

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/children-lying-on-the-floor-8422259/

Believing that children are the future of the nation, Jawaharlal Nehru was a strong advocate of the fact that a country could only flourish by ensuring the prosperity of children. Hence, he laid great emphasis on education as a tool to nourish the calibre of young minds. 

On this day, schools and colleges organise various competitions, music, and dance performances. Toys, sweets, and gifts are also distributed among the children to show gratitude and recognition towards them. In some schools, children dress up in a specific theme, like angels or Nehru.

But is Children’s Day only celebrated in India?

World Children's Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and improve their welfare.

The United Nations (UN) provides a particular theme every year, and the theme for International Children’s Day 2022 is “Equality and Inclusion, for every child”. It means that every child belonging to any society, community or nationality is entitled to equal rights. It also emphasises the eradication of discrimination among children of various cultures.

Did you know there is a colour for Children’s Day?

The blue colour is the symbol of children’s rights. You can show your support by going blue on 20th November.

Photo by Elina Fairytale: https://www.pexels.com/photo/portrait-of-a-girl-with-her-arms-raised-6202196/

So let us contribute to a better future for children all around the world in all the ways possible by prioritising their necessities, as even a little can make a big difference!