Children’s Day in India: Celebrating Bal Diwas and Nehru’s Vision for the Nation’s Future
India celebrates ‘Bal Diwas’ on November 14 on the birth anniversary of the first prime minister of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
November 14 is celebrated every year in India as Children’s Day. The nation pays tribute to the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, on this day. It will dedicate the whole day to Nehru’s welfare, children and education, besides their rights.
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad, India. He was a national leader who wanted to see not only children’s welfare but also education at all people’s doorsteps. Known as “Chacha Nehru” among children, Nehru was eager to build the nation’s educational infrastructure. Under his leadership, the institutions that came up are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), all of which have made significant contributions to indoctrinating people into the ideology of the academic landscape of India.
Nehru’s Vision: ‘Children are nation’s future’
Jawaharlal Nehru, while emphasizing the importance of raising children, regarded them as the foundation to build upon the nation’s future. During one of his speeches, he said, “Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the nation’s future and the citizens of tomorrow.” In this, Nehru viewed children as a building block of society whose growth and development would mirror the progress and well-being of the entire country.
Children’s Day 2024: Origin and importance
Children’s Day in India was celebrated earlier on November 20, which is akin to ‘World Children’s Day’ that the United Nations observes. However, after Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964, the Indian parliament unopposedly passed a resolution to decide that 14th November would be celebrated as Children’s Day in India, that too on the very date of his birthday. Today is celebrated all over India as Children’s Day, local, and also ‘Bal Diwas’ to commemorate Nehru’s vision for children’s growth and education. Celebration of children’s day
In India, November 14th is Children’s Day, and people manage several activities according to the celebration of the day. Schools and other institutions arrange special programs for children regarding the events of this day. These events include several cultural performances, games, and competitions that will engage the children. Most schools take up essay writing, drawing, and storytelling competitions according to themes such as children’s rights, dreams, and future aspirations. Teachers perform comedy skits, dances, or songs for students as a gesture of gratitude.
It is also an awareness day concerning issues of child welfare with regard to education and health, as advocated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Many NGOs and social societies take up outreach programs or collection campaigns for poor children to distribute academic materials, clothes, or meals.
Conclusion
Children’s Day, or Bal Diwas, stands as a tribute to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s unwavering dedication to children’s welfare and education. Celebrated across India on November 14, this day reminds us that nurturing and investing in young minds lays the foundation for a stronger and brighter future. Nehru’s vision continues to inspire educational institutions, communities, and individuals to ensure the growth and well-being of children, fostering a legacy that lives on for generations to come.
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