Happy children's day......

Childhood is perhaps the best part of anyone's life as during this time we enjoy life to the fullest. Children do not know what sorrow is, they do not know the harsh realities of time and go about being happy in their own merry world. Children's day is a special day that aims to celebrate childhood, the most wonderful stage in the life of a person. Universally children's day is generally celebrated on the 1st of June but not regularly. The International Children's day has its origin at the World Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland for the well being of children. In India 14th November is celebrated as Children's day, this day commemorates the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister. Pt. Nehru liked children very much and he was often photographed with them and it is perhaps very apt that his birthday is celebrated as children's day.

Pt. Nehru is seen as a special child of India as he was the country's first Prime Minister which it achieved after a long struggle for freedom and independence. On this day all the school organizes different types of fun activities for children. Communities and cultural clubs also organize different activities for children. There are also different types of competitions held on this day and prizes are distributed to the winners. It is that one day in the year when we not only celebrate childhood but also remember one of the most prominent leaders in the history of India. Almost all schools have some or the other events lined up on this day and this is one day that children look forward to. And now due to the huge inroads made by satellite television, you will invariably find channels beaming out different programs to attract the children's attention on this day.

The earlier memories that come to my mind about children's day are the excitement and anticipation that I and my friends used to have. It was a huge occasion for all of us and we really wanted to take part in all the activities and win those prizes as well. In those days all my friends aimed for those prizes on children's day as most of them were tickets to some ride in an amusement park. Now what better than this can be as a gift to a child? I remember taking part in a quiz competition with my friend, and we won the first prize there. The prize was a book on fairy tales and let me tell you this is one of the most treasured possessions in my collection of books.

Children's day is celebrated on different days in different countries across the world. In Japan it is celebrated on the 5th of May and this day is known as Kodomo no hi, in Israel it is celebrated on 9th October, Hong Kong on 4th April. Children all over the world look forward to that day when children's day is celebrated in their country as this is the one day where they can enjoy and celebrate the joy of childhood.