Children Day or Bal Diwas, in Hindi, is a day when students across schools in India indulge in various recreational activities and merrymaking. While some children and grownups are not aware of the history of Children’s day, many know it as the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Children’s Day is celebrated in India as a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru who was born on November 14, 1889.
Fondly called ‘Chacha Nehru’ and ‘Chacha ji’, Nehru’s love for children is well recognised and appreciated in every corner of the country, even years after his death.
The day continues to be a special for children as they are showered with gifts, and more importantly, a lot of attention.
Schools organise events like debates, quiz competitions, and music performances to entertain the students and also distribute clothes, chocolates and books to orphans and underprivileged children.
However, before India’s independence in 1947, Children’s Day was celebrated on November 20, the day observed by the United Nations as universal Children’s Day. But after Nehru’s death in 1964, it was unanimously decided to celebrate Children’s Day on the birthday of the first Prime Minister as a tribute to his love for children
Nehru was fond of children and would meet young kids with affection. It was for his special love towards children that he came to be known as Chacha or the favourite uncle for the children of the country.
This is the reason why India celebrates Children's Day on November 14 - To commemorate the child loving man, the freedom fighter and the first Prime Minister of independent India.