Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once said “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country”. He was known for his love and affection towards children, Nehru was affectionately addressed as Chacha Nehru.
The day talks about the importance of the rights to education care and a safe childhood. Nehru is often cited as saying that children should be lovingly nurtured as they are the nation’s future citizens.
Prior to the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, India celebrated November 20 as Children’s day as observed by United Nations but following his demise in 1964 Nehru’s birthday was unanimously decided to be celebrated as Bal Diwas or Children’s day in India. This day is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm in the country. It’s a fun day for kids, it emphasizes the rights and needs of children.

Pandit Nehru was keen on the development and education of children in the country, He oversaw the establishment of some of the most prominent educational institutions in India. His vision for the development of youth played a major role in setting up the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS and the Indian Institute of Technology. He even initiated the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Management.
Apart from his role as a freedom fighter and politician (First Prime Minister of India) Pandit Nehru has left behind a legacy of education and development of children in the country and November 14 is celebrated as a tribute to him.
According to Pandit Nehru, children are the precious gift by God who should be treated with lots of care and love. They are like wet clay and can be moulded in any way. Thus a proper guidance is a must for growing up a child so that he can be a good person and a good citizen of the nation. Apart from enjoying on this day, we should not forget that a huge population of our children are stuck in child laboring abuse and exploitation, discrimination etc. We should all make some efforts for the betterment of these needy children.
Mary Pinheiro