Children's Day - 14th November

             Children's Day is to celebrate "childhood". On Children’s Day tribute is payed to all children in the world. Children are loved by one and all. They win over our hearts with their angelic eyes and innocent smiles. It makes one realise that maybe that’s the way God wanted us to be.

    Children’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Born on 14th November, Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India after independence. It was due to his love and admiration for children that Nehru’s birthday came to be known as Children’s Day. He was fondly known as Chacha Nehru. The occasion is celebrated as a national festival with all schools and educational institutions observing it with great splendor and grandeur. Different cultural programs and events are organized for the kids on this day.

" And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.    Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.      And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them." - Bible

               But why Children's Day? Apart from being known for his skills as a statesman, Nehru was also immensely fond of children. The more popular and famous of Nehru's pictures show him with children. 

               In all the photographs Nehru's joy at being with children is apparent. When he is not sharing pleasantries with them, the expression of intense concentration as he listens to them reveals his commitment and attitude to children. Children to Nehru were little adults in the making.Nehru, to children, is never the Indian political leader and prime minister. He is always Chacha Nehru - Nehru Uncle.

              Children's Day is celebrated all over India, especially at the school level. There are also community activities with stress on children's involvement.

The Birth of Chacha Nehru

              Chacha Nehru as the children fondly referred to him, was fond of both children and roses. In fact he often compared the two, saying that children were like the buds in a garden. They should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they were the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. He felt that children are the real strength of a country and the very foundation of society. He was the ‘beloved’ of all the children who gave him the endearing name of ‘Chacha Nehru’.

             The story also goes that he started to wear a rose on his jacket after a child pinned one on it.The national children's centre, Jawahar Bal Bhavan, is also named after Jawaharlal Nehru. Children's Day is literally that. It is the day when children all over the country are pampered with goodies. From the schoolchild's point of view, the best thing perhaps is that it is a special day at school - they need not wear uniforms and are given sweets.

Celebrations:

         Most schools have cultural programmes for the day, with the students managing it all. All over the country, various cultural, social, and even corporate, institutions conduct competitions for children. Children's Day is a day for children to engage in fun and frolic. Schools celebrate this day by organising cultural programmes.Teachers of the school perform songs and dances for their students. Various competitions like quizzes, fancy dress competitions, elocutions are organised on this day. Children are also treated to a movie and lunch.Television networks have in the recent years started to air special programmes all day long for kids on November 14, making this day a special treat.

Messages

        According to Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted every child is special and has tremendous potential to influence development of the environment around him/her. On the occasion of children’s Day every child should be made to feel special and make the occasion a remembrable for him.

          These Days one of the best ways to bring smile to anyone’s face on any occasion is to greet him with lovely messages. Although these messages for greetings and sms can be self-made, it becomes difficult at times to pen words when needed.