The first prime minister gave children and the spirit of childhood a lot of importance to the extent that his birthday was chosen to mark Children's day. Another possible reason why this day was chosen for Bal Diwas could be because Pandit Nehru is also regarded as the country’s special child, due to his role in India's independence.

 

Schools, colleges and NGOs are doing their level best to make this day memorable for their students and other children. While some schools are organising day trips and excursions, other are organising  entertainment programmes for them. The best thing for them however, is the freedom they get from studies on this day.

 

NGOs on the other hand, are organising literacy and health camps across the country, with eye check up, total health check up and dental check up camps, free of cost. Talent shows are also doing the rounds.

 

Children are the country's future and a lot has been done in the country by the country's legislature to ensure that their rights are not trampled on. While laws banning child labour under the age of 14 have been passed, free and compulsory education for children is also becoming a reality with the passing of the Right to Education bill.

 

The practice of marking a day exclusively to commemorate the spirit of childhood, is practiced not only in India, but also in Turkey, who have holding one such day since 1920. Even the United Nations has taken note of the importance of such a day. The international organisation in 1954, recommended nations across the globe to set aside a day for this purpose. In fact, the rest of the world now celebrates such a day on November 20.

 

With the advent of new technology as a part of parcel of everyone's lives, including children, it is not an odd sight today to see people wishing through e-greetings and SMSes. One such popular SMS greeting that is being circulated across the country is –

 

The sparking joy, innocent mischief,

flowering hope & promise of tomorrow...

where else does God dwell but in children?

Happy Children's Day!