Children's Day

Children's day is celebrated every year on November 14 in India. The day marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly remembered as Chacha Nehru.

Universally, the children's day is celebrated on November 20 every year.

Children's day in India

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is India's first Prime Minister. His love for children earned him the title "Chacha Nehru". His birth anniversary - November 14, is celebrated as Children’s Day in the country as a tribute to his contribution towards development of the nation and his love for children.

The children's day in India is celebrated on November 14 since the year 1964. Before 1964, India celebrated children's day along with the world on November 20 - the Universal Children's Day. In1964, after Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru's death, it was decided unanimously to commemorate his birth anniversary as Children's Day in the country.

About Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allabahad on November 14, 1889. He received his early education at home under private tutors. At the age of fifteen, he went to England and after two years at Harrow, joined Cambridge University where he took his tripos in Natural Sciences. He was later called to the Bar from Inner Temple. He returned to India in 1912 and plunged straight into politics. Even as a student, he had been interested in the struggle of all nations who suffered under foreign domination. He took keen interest in the Sinn Fein Movement in Ireland. In India, he was inevitably drawn into the struggle for independence.

He was the first prime minister of independent India (1947–64). He is considered to be the architect of modern India and contributed immensely towards the development of the country. He died on May 27, 1964.

Universal Children's Day

United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, Universal 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.

Theme for 2023 - For every child, every right

From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future. 

This World Children’s Day, it’s more important than ever that the world listens to their ideas and demands.

Source : UN

Related resources

1. The State of the World's Children 2023
2. The Convention on the Rights of the Child: The children’s version