Educationists, freedom fighters flay CM’s statement on Nehru

PANJIM: Educationists and freedom fighters criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his statement that there is no connection between former Prime Minister late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Children’s Day, which is celebrated on November 14.

Speaking to O Heraldo, Uday Bhembre, Konkani writer and former Member of the Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly, said, “November 14 is the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. That was celebrated as Children’s Day because he loved children very much. He mixed with children and they too liked him very much. And that is why they called him Chacha Nehru. That is the only connection. This is the significance of November 14. That is why it is celebrated as Children’s Day.”

Damodar Mauzo, Jnanpith Awardee writer, novelist, critic and script writer, said, “It is funny. He himself says that people are aware that children always liked Nehru. That is why it is celebrated as Children’s Day. I think probably he has not given enough thought to it.”

Educationist Pandurang Nadkarni said, “All these years November 14 has been celebrated as Children’s Day. Nehru loved children. He had affection for them. That is why his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day. There is the connection between children and Nehru and its part of history. Whether one wants it or not, all these years it has been celebrated as Children’s Day.”

REALITY CHECK

Parliament passed resolution to commemorate Nehru’s birthday as Children’s Day

Children’s Day in India was initially observed on November 20 which is the day when United Nations celebrates World Children’s Day. After Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964, the Indian Parliament passed a resolution to commemorate Nehru’s birthday as Children’s Day.

Children’s Day was first observed as “Flower Day” on November 5 in the year 1948. It was an attempt by Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW) to collect funds for United Nations Appeal for Children (UNAC) through the sale of “flower tokens”.