Children’s Day 2023: Date, history, significance and celebrations

Children's Day is celebrated on November 14 in India (Image by Freepik)

Children's Day in India is celebrated every year on November 14. This date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was known to be very fond of children and advocated for their rights and education. Pandit Nehru believed that children are the future of the country, and nurturing them would set the course for the country’s future. “Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow,” he said.

Children’s Day or Bal Diwas is therefore celebrated on November 14 as a tribute to the first prime minister of India and as a day to raise awareness about the rights and welfare of children.

History of Children’s Day in India

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889 and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day. Children's Day was first observed as "Flower Day" on November 5, 1948. It was only in 1954 that Children’s Day was first celebrated on Nehru’s birthday – November 14.

The idea of celebrating Children's Day on Nehru's birthday gained momentum after his death on May 27, 1964. To honour his legacy and his advocacy for children's rights and education, it was decided to celebrate his birthday as Children's Day across the country. The first Children's Day was celebrated in 1964.

Significance

Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The children of today will make the India of tomorrow.” The primary idea behind celebrating Children’s Day is to raise awareness about the rights, needs and welfare of children. Children’s Day is celebrated to spotlight the areas in which children of the country are still lacking, including access to healthcare and education. However, Children’s Day is also a way to celebrate the innocence and joy of childhood.

Celebrations

Many schools across the country celebrate Children’s Day with great pomp and show. In some schools, teachers put on an entertainment show for children. Some others may declare a holiday or a half-day for students. Children are sometimes treated to snacks and sweets by their schools.