Children's Day is associated with Jawaharlal Nehru' s birthday and BJP may frown over the publicity. Nehru was very fond of children. Children as future citizens need all the facilities and care to mature into productive adults and leaders. Today vast army of children are not in schools but exploited as cheap labour force due to economic necessity. The health care facilities are totally inadequate as many succumb to diseases before reaching adulthood. Compulsory education has fallen on deaf ears of politicians. The recreation facilities for children, midday meals and drinking water facilities are a dire necessity.
One day focus on their needs is a worthy exercise but too much emphasis need not glorify the remembered political figure. The celebrations in schools adds a little joy to the daily drudgery but not for those thousands outside the formal stream of education. The statute of child labour as an offence must be rigorously enforced. Besides many children are trafficked for nefarious purposes. Many children are employed in hazardous health industries and paid a pittance. The State and Central government must plan and implement compulsorily some yearly schemes to benefit the children.
