Why Children’s Day (Bal Diwas) is celebrated on 14 November in India?

The Children’s Day is celebrated every year on November 14, in the memory of the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who born on this day in 1889.

Fondly known as Chacha, Nehru has affection towards children. Once he said that he may not have time for adults but has enough time for children.

Nehru advocated children to have a fulfilled childhood and receive high education. His love for children and roses is a well-known fact.

Nehru had also said, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.”

Children’s Day Essay and Speech for School Students and Children

Here are few more quotes by Nehru for children…

“The only way to reform them (children) is to win them over with love. So long as a child is unfriendly, you can’t mend his ways. He can be disciplined, if his attention is drawn to some other activity, like a voluntary body in Delhi (1960s) “Bal Sahyog” used to do. They learn many things there during vocations, without any compulsion of sort and then their minds get diverted to constructive channels.”

“Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow.”

“Only through right education can a better order of society be built up.”

“The vast army of children across the world, outwardly different kinds of clothes, and yet so very like another. If you bring them together, they play or quarrel, but even their quarrel is some kind of play. They do not think of differences amongst themselves, difference of class or caste or color or status. They are wiser than their father(s) or mother(s).

Chacha Nehru’s real message is to provide children with a safe and loving environment and ample opportunities to grow, only then we can fulfill the dreams of our beloved leader Pt. Nehru.

Children’s Day is celebrated to raise the awareness of people towards the rights, care and education of children. Children are the future of the country, key of success and development which lead the country in new technological way. No doubt they are the god gifts to their parents, innocent, admirable and loved by every one and also by Chacha Nehru.

Children’s Day is also known as Bal Diwas. Chacha Nehru was mainly fond of children and roses. According to Jawaharlal Nehru, children should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. They are the strength of the country and the foundation of the society. Due to the love and care given by Jawaharlal Nehru to the children, they call him ‘Chacha Nehru’. Let us study more about Children’s Day in detail through this article.

About Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru alias “Chacha Nehru”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had born as on 14th of November 1889. He was the first Prime Minister of India who ruled the country for longest period. He was the great follower of peace and prosperity. Pandit Nehru Jayanti is a festival for the country of India. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is not only known for his political career or for service of country but was also famous among children. His love to children was same as his love for red rose flower.

Why Children’s Day is Celebrated on 14 November in India?

Children’s day is celebrated every year to increase the awareness of people towards the rights, care and education of children. Children are the key of success and development of the country. Jawaharlal Nehru also love children and he always liked to be in the middle of them. After India’s independence, he did a lot of good work for children and youth. When he became the Prime Minister, his first priority was education of children.

Pandit Nehru worked so much for the education, progress, well being and welfare of the children as well as youngsters of India. He had established various educational institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Indian Institutes of Management. Free primary education, free meals including milk were provided to the school children in order to prevent children from malnutrition in India.

According to the Pandit Nehru, children are the bright future of the country. Only by right education, care and progress we can give them a new life. Therefore, after the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1964), to commemorate him, the date of his birthday in India ie 14 November started to be celebrated as Children’s Day. Therefore, the deep love and enthusiasm of Chacha Nehru towards the children is the big reason of celebrating the Children’s Day at his birthday anniversary. He said that children are the country’s actual strength as they would make developed society in future.

But do you know that after independence and before 1964, Children’s Day in India was celebrated on 20 November. Let us see the reason behind it.

The foundation of Children’s Day was laid on 1925 and in 1953, it was recognized worldwide.

On 20 November, the United Nation (UN) announced to celebrate Children’s Day. Due to this, Children’s Day was celebrated on 20 November in India also. But in many countries it is celebrated on different days. Like in 1950, Child Protection Day (June 1) is celebrated in many countries as Children’s Day which is also known as World Children’s Day.

After independence, in 1959, the first Children’s Day was celebrated in India. But after the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, Children’s Day celebration date was changed from 20 November to 14 November (birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru). But still many countries in the world celebrate Children’s Day on 20, November.

How Children’s Day is celebrated in India?

A lot of programs including cultural and fun activities are organized all over the India. Government and non government organizations, schools, NGOs, private bodies and other conducts variety of competition for the children to let them known about their rights and make them happy and cheer. TV channels also demonstrate the interesting programs for the children on 14th of November. Parents take part in this event very enthusiastically to make their children happy; they distribute gifts, greeting cards to their sons and daughters. They go on picnic, long drive and enjoy the day with party.

How Children’s Day is celebrated with orphans and underprivileged children in India?

Many Non-Governmental Organizations organize programs for the poor and deprived children. Children are distributed gifts and chocolates. Varieties of competitions are organized such as fancy dress, debates, speech related to the freedom fighters, country, storytelling and quizzes.  Cultural and social programs like singing, dancing and entertaining with other musical instruments are part of it.  Children can be entertained by distributing the clothes, toys, musical instruments, stationery, books, etc.  Organizing some game activities including puzzle, treasure hunt, etc. are of great amusement. Underprivileged children are entertained by organizing musical programs by famous musician and speech on health, care and progress.

What are the intentions behind the celebration of Children’s Day in India?

The future of the country depends upon the present children. If they do not develop in a proper way, the country’s future will be ruined. The neglecting people will get an opportunity to think of the future of their children. The whole society will think of its duty and responsibility towards the children. They will think of what have been done for the children in the year past and what should be done for them in the year coming.

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