Children’s Day also known as Bal Divas is annually observed across India on November 14 to honour the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s 1st Prime Minister, who was known for his love and affection for children.
- The day aims to emphasise the significance of nurturing and celebrating the vibrant spirit of the younger generation.
14 November 2023 marks the 134th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Background:
i.Children’s Day in India was initially observed on November 20 which is the day when the United Nations (UN) celebrates World Children’s Day since 1954.
ii.However, after Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964, the Indian Parliament passed a resolution to commemorate Nehru’s birthday as Children’s Day, as a tribute to his love for children.
iii.Since then, to commemorate his birth anniversary, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14.
- It has become an annual event dedicated to the children of the nation.
About Jawaharlal Nehru:
i.Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on November 14, 1889. In 1912, he enrolled himself as an advocate of the Allahabad High Court.
ii.In 1919, Nehru joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and he became the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in September 1923.
iii.He held the post of the President of the INC many times and was the Prime Minister of the interim Indian Government between 1946 and 1950.
iv.He served as the first Prime Minister of India and remained in office continuously for nearly 17 years after Independence from 1947 until May 27, 1964, the day he died.
v.His notable works include:
- Letters from a Father to His Daughter (1929); Glimpses of World History (1934); Towards freedom; The Autobiography of Jawaharlal Nehru (1936); The Discovery of India (1946).
Awards and Recognitions:
i.In 1955, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was awarded the Bharat Ratna by then-President Rajendra Prasad.
ii.As a tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his lifelong dedication to the cause of world peace and international understanding, the Government of India instituted the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965.
- This annual award recognises outstanding contributions to the promotion of international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among peoples of the world.
