Published By: Sayan Paul

Jawaharlal Nehru's Birth Anniversary: Exploring Chacha Nehru's Enduring Bond With Children

Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children's Day.

"... the children of today will make the India of tomorrow, and, the way we bring them up will determine the future of the country." - Jawaharlal Nehru

On November 14 every year, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, we mostly talk about his work as a statesman. Whether it's his contribution to the country's freedom movement, his unmatched leadership, or his vision (and initiatives) as independent India's first Prime Minister that helped us become a global leader, we can just go on and on about all these. But there was another side to Nehru - the softer one - which, too, was equally him. And that was his endless love and affection for children. He understood that "children are the architects of the future", and hence, throughout his life, advocated for their welfare. Whenever he could take some time out of his busy schedule, he used to spend it with children, listen to their stories, and encourage them to work for society. Well, it goes without saying that the love and respect were mutual; children affectionately called him "Chacha Nehru".

To mark Nehru's birth anniversary, November 14 is observed as Children's Day in India. Schools and other educational institutions across the country celebrate the day with special programs, including quizzes, plays, and fancy-dress competitions.

Jawaharlal Nehru Loved Children, And Vice Versa

Nehru was incredibly dedicated to the welfare of children. As his private secretary, MO Mathai, wrote in his 1979 book 'My Days With Nehru', "He was convinced that no amount of money spent on children and their mothers was too much and that it was a sound investment for the future." Also, in his 1958 interview with Ram Narayan Chaudhary, Nehru said, "I have always felt that the children of today will make the India of tomorrow, and, the way we bring them up will determine the future of the country."

Throughout his life, he always made it a point to interact with children all across the nation. And that's not as India's Prime Minister but as a loving guardian. He used to visit schools, listening to their stories and dreams, while fostering a sense of leadership in their minds. And children, on the other hand, saw a father figure in him. They used to participate in all those events enthusiastically and expressed all their thoughts to him.

Notably, for children's welfare, Nehru worked dedicatedly at the administration level as well. He envisioned an ecosystem where children, regardless of socioeconomic background, would grow up healthily. First of all, he focused on child healthcare and hence launched several policies and initiatives. Examples include National Tuberculosis Program, National Malaria Program, and Mid-Day Meal Program.

Credit: India Our Home

On the other hand, he worked towards the development of high-quality education across schools in India.

Best Quotes by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru About Children

"The only way to reform them (children) is to win them over with love. So long as a child is unfriendly, you can’t mend his ways by force."

"The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country."

"The vast army of children in India, outwardly at least, does not appear to suffer from a sense of insecurity or lack of assurance."

"Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow."

"The children of a nation are its strength. They are the ones who will carry forward the legacy of the past and translate its ideals into reality."

"Children do not think of differences amongst themselves."

"Children have a special way of adding joy to every day."

"True affection, real warmth, and a deep and abiding understanding of children are, I believe, essential in the making of a good teacher."