As India celebrates Children’s Day today, I am nostalgic of the various activities and function that were held in my school in which all participated enthusiastically. The trend continues even now as children are the centre of love and attention on this day and various activities and functions are organized to entertain them. An airline has organized a free trip for underprivileged children. A city has opened a books and toys shop specially for children. Children in orphanages are distributed sweets and gifts. Speeches are given and picnics are organized. Every effort is taken to give joy to the adorable children who are innocent and pure and who are the future of India.

However, sometimes I wonder apart from celebrating Children’s Day, are we doing enough to give them a safe and healthy childhood? Didn’t we snatch from them their right to a clean and green environment devoid of pollution and hazardous chemicals? We have made technology easily accessible to them which are making them crawl into their shells with the numerous gadgets rather than going out into the open and experiencing the sunshine and breeze while playing outdoor games. As parents become too busy with their lives the easily available processed and junk food take over at the dinner table depriving children their right to healthy food and a healthy body. The incidence of child obesity is high in our country due to the consumption of packaged, processed and junk food.

Let us not limit our love and attention for children to just one day. Let it be a continual process to build a better and safer future for our children. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act which asserts the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India and The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act which prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in hazardous occupations are some of the big steps undertaken by the Government of India to improve the quality of lives of children.

Parents on their part should ensure that they give adequate time and attention to their kids as that is all that they crave for. Frequent hugs, occasional compliments, a helping hand in their work are all that they look forward to from parents. Daily take out some time from your busy lives to peep into the exciting and happening world of your children and guide them if they happen to be vulnerable or unknowingly treading an unsafe path. Teach them good values that will help them to lead a happy and successful.

To all the little and lovely children and the child in you – ‘Happy Children’s Day’