Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

Children’s Day: November, 14

Posted : November 14, 2009 at 6:00 pm [IST]

India celebrates November 14, the birth day of Jawaharlal Nehru as Children Day. During his life time itself, he became ‘Chacha’ (Note: not Uncle) Nehru. I had a chance to see during my school days in 1952. His famous will,“Tryst with Destiny”, Discovery of India, and Glimpses of World History made him an icon. I respect him. But after seeing wonderful full page advertisements by the government departments in almost all the printed media, I feel like asking if there can’t be a better way of spending the money. Can’t this advertisement money be spent on the schools of special children? However, this government or for that matter any government does follows the wishes of a commoner like me.

But every family can celebrate the day as a gall get together of children with the elders in family and make it a great day for the children. Can’t such a meeting of the eldest with the youngest be memorable one? Like Americans, Indians must create more of secular festivals rather than living with only the old ones that restricts many communities to join in festivities.