Children’s Day: History & Significance

Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th November every year. Children’s Day is also known as Bal Diwas in India. Children’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru. The celebration of Children’s Day is focused on raising awareness of the rights of children including the right to education.

Other Important Days in November 2022

Theme of Children’s Day 2022

The theme for International children’s day is, “Inclusion, for every child”. The mee signifies the vitality of the inclusion of every child irrespective of their background, society, community or nation and that they should be treated with equality. Every child should get an equal opportunity to thrive and grow with care and nourishment.

When is Children’s Day Celebrated?

Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th November every year since 1964. Children’s Day is not a gazetted holiday in India. Though in many schools, Children’s Day is celebrated. Teachers perform songs, and recitations and distribute sweets. In many schools and other organisations, various contests and competitions are organised such as music, dance, art or other forms of art.

History of Children’s Day Celebration?

Earlier, Children’s Day was celebrated on 20th November as United Nations observed it as International Children’s Day. However, after the death of Jawahar Lal Nehru, it was decided by the Government of India to celebrate Children’s Day on 14th November which is the birth anniversary of Jawahar Lal Nehru. As Jawahar Lal Nehru was fond of children and he work diligently for the better future of the children in India, his birth anniversary is celebrated as  Children’s Day in India.

Significance of Children’s Day

Children’s Day is celebrated to emphasize the importance of the rights of children. Emphasis is laid on better nurture, nourishment and care of children in India. To create awareness for the elimination of child abuse and exploitation. Children are the future of the nation. Taking care of the children today is equivalent to taking care of the nation of tomorrow.

About Jawahar Lal Nehru

Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India. He was fondly called Chacha Nehru by children. He firmly believed, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.” Therefore, He proposed that underprivileged children also have a right to free & equal education for their overall development. In this initiative, he also established the iconic Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

Rights for children

According to the Constitution of India, the rights of children include the following points. children, their parents or guardians should have these rights of children in order to avoid abuse, and exploitation of children moreover no children should be deprived of their basic rights.

• 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