14th November in India is celebrated as a Children’s Day all over the country. Over the world, children’s day is celebrated on different dates and for different reasons. We have our own as well.
Not long ago we had our fight for freedom, it was messy but we gained leaders which we would not have otherwise. One of those leader’s birthday is celebrated as our children’s day.
Our Freedom Fighter
Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November 1889. He was one of those who fought the war of freedom for us, and by the time it was over he was 58 years old.
He was very fond of children. So, post our freedom he took many decisions which helped shape up the youth of that generation and still helps the youth to this day.
There are many people who believe that he just loved children, which is partly true but not completely. He loved them and the older ones as well. He believed that the young ones are the future molders. This is the reason he worked to provide them with the best facilities he could. So that even after he left, the children can learn, grow and take the country to a better future.
Building For the Future
Jawaharlal Nehru was our first Prime Minister and like it was said long ago.
“With Great Power comes Great Responsibility”
He did that!
He always had concern for children in his heart which motivated him and he built for them institutes which helped the youth of that time to educate themselves. It is still used to this date to teach the youth of this time.
To name a couple of institutes- All India Institute of Medical Science, Indian Institute of Technology, but he did not stop there. He went on to make many schools for primary education. Furthermore, he made schemes to help and encourage children to pursue education.
Back then India was a very backward country, and the only way people thought they could make a living was by farming. They did not consider education as an option of growth and earning. So, Jawaharlal Nehru made primary education free and compulsory while providing meals and milk for free. This encouraged them to get educated.
Jawaharlal Nehru saw the need for even the older ones to get educated and to develop skills to help them get employed. He then started schemes like vocational training and technical training. This scheme provided free training to the youth that could start working and to the adults who had no special skill. All of this just shows how Jawaharlal Nehru’s concern for the upcoming generations and the many more that would succeed them. This love that he showed made him a mark in our history. He was soon called Chacha Nehru out of love by the whole country.
Celebrating His Day
He was 75 years old when he passed away. And it’s been 52 years since he passed away. This is one of the most joyous national non-religious holidays we celebrate, especially because of all the children who get excited for this day. Nevertheless, they respect Chacha Nehru for all the sacrifices and all the decisions he made with the power he had for the betterment of the children and the youth.
There are various ways children go on celebrating this day. Schools host special functions for children, children dress up as Chacha Nehru and roam around, and in many schools, children are given the day or at times half the day off to enjoy the special day at home.
More than celebrating Children’s day specifically on 14th November we celebrate it every day by continuing Chacha Nehru’s legacy, promoting and encouraging every children and youth towards education, because that is what he was aiming for and wanted the rest of the nation to aim for.