Children’s Day in India: Significance, Date, and Celebration

PWOnlyIAS November 11, 2023 05:47 1723 0

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Context: Every year, India celebrates November 14 as Children’s Day.

Children’s Day in India: Significance, Date, and Celebration

Children’s Day in India: Commemorating Jawaharlal Nehru’s Legacy

About: Children’s day is celebrated every year to mark the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister.
Origin: Initially, Children’s Day in India was celebrated on November 20 in accordance with Universal Children’s Day declared by the United Nations.
- However, post the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru’s demise in 1964, a resolution was passed to declare November 14 as Children’s Day to honour Jawaharlal Nehru’s Legacy.
Celebrations: November 14 has not been declared a state holiday but rather children are encouraged to go to school and be a part of the celebrations of this day.
- Events such as quizzes, cultural activities, plays, fancy dress competition etc are held in schools to mark the day.
Significance of the Day
- Commemorating Jawaharlal Nehru: Children’s Day celebrates the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru and his contributions towards Indian society.
- Equality of Children: The day is a reminder that every child regardless of caste, creed, financial or political status, deserves basic amenities such as education and healthcare.
- Channel Ability of Children: Children’s Day also seeks to identify the immense potential of children and to channel it constructively for the country’s future.
- Protect from Social Evils: Children’s day will seek to protect them from prominent social evils like child trafficking, child labour, assault, thieving etc.

Inspirational Quotes Emphasizing the Importance of Children in Shaping the Future

“The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country”. – Jawaharlal Nehru
“History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.” ― Nelson Mandela
“The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family.” – Mother Teresa
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world”. – Malala Yousafzai
“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Challenges and Safeguards: A Snapshot of Children in India”

Population Numbers: India has 472 million children under the age of 18 years, constituting 39% of the country’s total population.
- About 29% of those children are between the ages of 0 to 6 years.
Rural Population: about 73% of children in India are living in rural areas, facing limited access to basic needs such as nutrition, access to healthcare, education, and protection.
Major Problems Faced by Children in India: Lack of access to quality education, quality healthcare, low nutrition, child labour, gender inequality, high HIV prevalence, caste and class discrimination etc.
Protection of Children:
- National Commission for Protection Child Rights: The NCPCR is India’s apex statutory body for safeguarding children’s rights.
- Fundamental Right: Article 21-A of Indian constitution guarantees the right to free and compulsory elementary education for all children in the age group 6-14 years.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012: POCSO Act addresses sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of minors, who is any person below the age of 18 years.
  - The law adopts a child-friendly atmosphere through all stages of the judicial process, without revealing the identity of the victim.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: The law prohibits marriage between children who are below 18 years of age. The girl should be 18 years of age and the boy must be 21 years of age.
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986: The law prohibits the employment of children below 14 years and 15 years in certain specified employments.

Children’s Day

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India

About: Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India. He also served as the President of Congress Party during the 1930 Lahore Session.
- Nehru was considered a moderate socialist, who carried out economic reforms which catered to the growth of industrialization in India.
Educational Contributions: Nehru had a major role to play in conceptualizing and developing institutions of higher education in India, such as the IITs, IIMs, AIIMS etc.

Universal Children’s Day: Promoting Global Unity and Children’s Rights

Universal Children’s Day began on November 20 1954 and is celebrated each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
Significance of the Day: November 20 is important as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
- It is also on this date in 1989 that the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Conclusion:

Children’s Day is not just an occasion to honour Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy but also to spread awareness on children’s rights in the country.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs	UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers	UPSC Test Series 2024

Children’s Day FAQs

November 14 is celebrated every year as Children’s Day in India.

Children’s day is celebrated every year to mark the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister.

November 14 has not been declared a state holiday but rather children are encouraged to go to school and be a part of the celebrations of this day. Events such as quizzes, cultural activities, plays, fancy dress competition etc are held in schools to mark the day.

Article 21-A of Indian constitution guarantees the right to free and compulsory elementary education for all children in the age group 6-14 years.

Universal Children’s Day began on November 20 1954 and is celebrated each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

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Children’s Day in India: Significance, Date, and Celebration

Children’s Day in India: Commemorating Jawaharlal Nehru’s Legacy

Inspirational Quotes Emphasizing the Importance of Children in Shaping the Future

Challenges and Safeguards: A Snapshot of Children in India”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India

Universal Children’s Day: Promoting Global Unity and Children’s Rights

Conclusion:

Children’s Day FAQs

When is Children’s Day Celebrated?

What is the Occasion for Celebrating Children’s Day?

How is Children’s Day Celebrated in India?

How are Children's Rights protected in the Indian Constitution?

When is Universal Children’s Day Celebrated?

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