Children’s Day, also known as ‘Bal Diwas’, is celebrated every year on 14 November across India. It is a day to celebrate the spirit of childhood and pay tribute to the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Known as Chacha Nehru.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a politician; He was a visionary who believed in the development of young minds. His dedication towards children was so famous that his birthday, 14 November, is celebrated as Children’s Day. Schools, colleges and other institutions related to children celebrate this day with great pomp and show.
What is the history of Children’s Day?
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day. Children’s Day was first celebrated as “Flower Day” on 5 November 1948. Children’s Day was celebrated for the first time in 1954 on Nehru’s birthday – 14 November. The idea of celebrating Children’s Day on Nehru’s birthday gained momentum after his death on May 27, 1964. To honor his legacy and his advocacy for children’s rights and education, it was decided to celebrate his birthday as Children’s Day across the country. The first Children’s Day was celebrated in 1964.
Nehru studied from Cambridge
Pandit Nehru was born on 14 November 1889. His father Motilal Nehru was a barrister. There was no shortage of anything in the house. There was no problem of money, so his father made arrangements for him to study at home. He studied at home till the age of 16. After this, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru completed his studies by going to Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. He studied law from Inner Temple and became a law graduate.
Book on autobiography written in jail
Jawaharlal Nehru’s life was also spent in jail. He remained in jail from January 1934 to February 1935. It was in jail that he wrote his autobiography ‘Toward Freedom’. After becoming PM, Nehru did not like to take security guards with him. They used to say that this causes a lot of trouble to people. Nehru was a Kashmiri Pandit. That’s why Pandit is added after his name.
Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize several times
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times. He was nominated about 11 times by national and international agencies. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote two books on India and the World Discovery of India and Glimpses of the World. Both these books became quite famous.
The proposal was passed in Parliament
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru died on 27 May 1964. In the same year, it was decided to celebrate his birthday on 14th November as Children’s Day. To honor Pandit Nehru, it was unanimously announced in the Parliament to be celebrated as Children’s Day and since then this day is being celebrated on this day.
What is the main purpose of celebrating Children’s Day?
According to Pandit Nehru, children are the basis of our society. Therefore, the main objective of this day is to educate people about the rights of children, to take care of them and to give them good education. Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow.” The primary idea behind celebrating Children’s Day is to raise awareness about the rights, needs and welfare of children. Children’s Day is celebrated to highlight the areas in which the country’s children still lack access to health care and education. However, Children’s Day is also a way to celebrate the innocence and happiness of childhood.
Children’s Day is celebrated all over the world on 20 November.
Children’s Day is celebrated every year on 20 November across the world by the United Nations General Assembly. In India too, earlier this day was celebrated only on 20th November, but since 1964, this day started being celebrated on 14th November 2023 to commemorate the birthday of Pandit Nehru. Apart from India, in other countries, Children’s Day is still celebrated on 20th November.
Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow.” The primary idea behind celebrating Children’s Day is to raise awareness about the rights, needs and welfare of children. Children’s Day is celebrated to highlight the areas in which the country’s children still lack access to health care and education. However, Children’s Day is also a way to celebrate the innocence and happiness of childhood.
