In schools, besides the National days like the Independence Day and Republic Day, many other important days are also celebrated. For example, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5th of September every year to honour the teachers as 5th of September happens to be the birthday of former President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan who was a world renowned teacher. Children’s Day is celebrated every year in all schools in our country on 14th of November. Do you know why? Because Children’s Day is associated with the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, which falls on 14th of November every year. Pandit Jawaharlal was born on November 14, 1889 and he died on May 27, 1964. As desired by him, his birthday is being celebrated as Children’s Day after his death. Jawaharlal Nehru was very much fond of children and he is called ‘Chacha Nehru’ by all children.

Schools all over our country celebrate the day in different ways. In our school the celebration starts with the unfurling of the National I lag. The photo of Jawaharlal Nehru is garlanded and many speakers including some selected students speak on the importance of the day.

Next comes the practical work. The students who are divided into lour batches, proceed to do their assigned work. The first batch in charge of health and hygiene, takes up cleaning of school premises, and makes the school environment clean. The second squad, mostly girls, visits the slums. They not only clean the slums but also give bath to children of the slums. They comb their hair and dress them neatly with the new dress which they had collected earlier. The third squad in charge of sports conducts sports and games competitions for all children of the village. The fourth squad in charge of the cultural games goes around the village singing patriotic songs. This squad also carries placards on health, family planning and education.

In the evening all the students meet once again and the day ends with a cultural show and distribution of prizes. But of late the children’s Day has gained special importance and besides schools, Institutions like Balbhavans and also Jawahar Balbhavans have special

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programmes for children in the areas of Arts & Crafts, Music, Dance and Science as well. Balbhavans are also well equipped with libraries, games (indoor as well as outdoor facilities), film shows, museum, aquarium, swimming pool, etc. In cities Balbhavans serve the children throughout the year. The schools can become members and make use of the facilities.

The U.N.O. declared the year 1979 as the International Year of the Child. And under the organisation of UNICEF (United Nation International Children’s Emergency Fund) many programmes for the uplift of the children are undertaken. This year our school undertook the sale of UNICEF cards to help the needy children of the world. In India nearly 16 million children who should be going to school are now working in various factories and institutions as child labour. The Government is doing its best to give them relief. But on a day like the Children’s Day we have decided this year to help our co-brothers and sisters-in-need in our own way by raising contributions and sending it to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to be spent on this needy children. Will you also do the same in your school?