Jawaharlal Nehru birth anniversary: Why India celebrates November 14 as Children's Day

Jawaharlal Nehru. File Pic

Jawaharlal Nehru birth anniversary: Children's Day is celebrated on November 14 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, affectionately known as ‘Chacha Nehru' by children. Nehru believed that children are the core foundation of any society, so they should be nurtured in a suitable environment.

Jawaharlal Nehru was also known as 'Chacha Nehru' in the country. He was born on 14 November 1889 and we celebrate this day as Children's Day since he loved children. Jawaharlal Nehru's birth anniversary is on Tuesday, November 14.

Children's Day, also known as ‘Bal Divas,' aims to raise awareness about the delicate issue of children's well-being and education.

Why is Children's Day celebrated on the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru?

India celebrates Children's Day on November 14, which is the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. However, World Children's Day is celebrated on a different date.

Before Jawaharlal Nehru's death, India celebrated Children's Day on November 20 which is observed as World Children's Day by the United Nations. After the death of the first prime minister, his birth anniversary was chosen as the date for Children's Day in India.

After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, a resolution was passed in the Indian Parliament to mark his birth anniversary as Children's Day.

Children's day, apart from tribute to Nehru, aims to increase awareness of the rights, care and education of children.

World Children's Day, on the other hand, was first established in 1954 to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

On November 20, 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date when in 1989 the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

Children's Day: Significance

Jawaharlal Nehru was a gentle, kind, and affectionate person. And this was the biggest reason the children addressed him as ‘Chacha Nehru'. Jawaharlal Nehru has worked a lot toward the development and well-being of children throughout his life. He strongly advocated that a country will flourish only when there will be the prosperity of children.

Children's Day signifies that every child deserves equal rights to healthcare and education, irrespective of their caste, creed, or financial position.