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Young World
CELEBRATE A DAY
Celebrate the child
RAJESWARI NAMAGIRI
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November 20 is Universal Children’s Day observed to help keep kids safe and secure.
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Photo: M. Govarthan
Recognise their right : Protect the child.
It was in 1954, that United Nations General Assembly recommended that all countries observe Universal Children’s Day on the date suitable to each country. In India, we celebrate it on November 14, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru.
November 20 marks Universal Children’s Day, the date on which United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989. Find out about the Rights of the Child.
Change makers
Children make up about 32 per cent of India’s population. Children’s Day is a call to all concerned to know about the rights and privileges that would help children have a safe and secure childhood, and develop their full potential.
Children’s Day is also the time to celebrate the exemplary deeds of children whereby they have shown the way in being active members of the citizenry. For example, every year children in schools in several parts of the country take a pledge not to burst crackers not only for a smoke-free and noise-free Deepavali, but also to mark their opposition to the rampant child labour in cracker manufacturing.
This is also recognition of the right of every child to be protected from economic exploitation and work that is hazardous, interferes with her/his education, harms health and/or physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development (Article 32, Rights of the Child)
Children’s Media Unit, Centre for Environment Education
www.kidsrgreen.org
Act Now
Education is a fundamental right of every child. Yet millions of children are not able to enjoy this right due to different reasons. Why not each of us do something to help such children? A good way is “each one, teach one”. Teach reading, writing, arithmetic, computers, etc., to at least one child who may not be as privileged as you. Encourage out-of-school children to join school.
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