Children's Day is also called 'Bal Diwas' in India.
Children's Day, also known as 'Bal Diwas', is celebrated annually on November 14 in India. This day is celebrated to appreciate and recognize children as they are the future of the province. This date also marks the birth anniversary of the nation's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is known for his affection for children and believed that children are the true wealth of the nation. He often called them “the country's most precious resource.” Therefore, his birthday is celebrated as Children's Day to reaffirm the nation's commitment to improving the lives of its young citizens.
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad, India. He was a strong advocate for children's rights and for a comprehensive education system in which knowledge is accessible to all. He regarded every child as the future of the country and valued them fully. “Children are like buds in a garden and must be cared for carefully and lovingly as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow,” Nehru said in one of his famous speeches.
It is because of his love for children that Jawaharlal Nehru is also commonly known as 'Chacha Nehru' among children. He not only loved children but also believed in giving them the right tools for their growth. He was concerned about the development of the country's education system. Therefore, he oversaw the establishment of some of the country's leading educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Why is Children's Day celebrated on Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday?
Earlier, Children's Day was celebrated in India on November 20 – the day 'World Children's Day' is observed worldwide by the United Nations. However, after the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1964, the Parliament passed a resolution to establish his birthday as the official Children's Day in the country. Since then, India has been celebrating Children's Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister. The day is also known as 'Bal Diwas' in the country.
Children's Day celebrations
To commemorate this day, children are showered with lots of love, gifts and pampering. Schools across the country organize special events and programs for the children, who are also showered with gifts consisting of edibles, books and cards. They also hold games, debates, seminars, dance, music, essay, speech and painting competitions.
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