Not a Celebration, But a Reminder - World Children's Day

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.

-Jawaharlal Hehru

Children are the greatest asset of a nation and it is our responsibility to ensure them a better future. They are the seeds of our giant tree who will take up the world in a few years. Therefore Children’s Day is recognized by many countries around the world to honour children globally. This day is not unique to all countries as every country has their own recognized day. In Sri Lanka, we celebrate on 01^st of October. It was established to encourage all countries to institute a day to promote mutual understanding among children and the States to initiate action in order to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children.

Universal Children’s Day is not merely a day for celebrations, but to bring awareness to children around the globe that have succumbed to violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Children are also used as labourers in most third world countries, engaged in armed conflicts, living or begging on the streets, suffering from minority or religion issues and disabilities. Children displaced by war can suffer physical and psychological trauma.

Governments, communities, local authorities and non-governmental organizations and community based organizations should ensure that children are grown up in a family environment and protected from violence, abuse and exploitation.

From birth to old age, there is a specific time period for everything. According to many child development experts, childhood should be a time of enjoyment, exploration and play. But not all children are benefitted equally.

It is our duty to understand the needs of every child and to help them celebrate the day with equal pleasure. It would be more meaningful if one could spend the day dedicated to children with the kids who are less fortunate, with kids who are spending their life in children’s homes and hospitals suffering physically and psychologically.

Although there is a specific day specially dedicated to all the children in order to celebrate their innocence and playfulness, it is important that they are carefully nurtured and loved every single day. A safe environment should be built for all the children throughout the whole year and it should not be just limited to a single day.