On that particular day, the entire country gets caught up in the festive mood. Though we have never seen him personally, talked with him or walked besides him, as he is not present in the physical form. We remember him today because he was a tender, caring, and affectionate person who stood for children’s well being.

“I challenge all children to consider Chacha Nehru’s godly life as the ultimate epitome of Jesus Christ’s ministry” comments Jige Bomjen from his own experience. When Christ’s disciple asked him, how to get to heaven, he took a little child in his arm and said unless a person is innocent like a little child he/she cannot get into heaven. He laid down his life for all, including little children. It is the ultimate manifestation of his love for you and me.

Our Chacha Nehru’s love towards children was pure regardless of color or prejudice and was indeed meek, tender and uplifting. He desired the younger generation to be wise, more knowledgeable, more articulate and more discerning. Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the parents to inculcate the best in them because the country’s future lies in their hands. We must break the narrow minded mentality and broaden the horizons of children because soon they will grow to become the decision makers.

Parents must recognize and help nurture children’s fears, anxieties, concerns, goals, dreams and desires. Noble parents will love their son and daughter not for what the children can do for them, but because of what they can do for them. That is exactly how Christ’s and Nehru’s love was displayed. Both of them loved simply because they were determined to love the children and were delighted to bestow on them their favors.

If we do all this for our children, we can solve many of the world’s problems and can hope for a brighter future. In the coming days, no problem will be too big for our children. Yet the mankind will rise higher and achieve great laurels. They shall grasp mountain to mountain and experience peak to peak in this global village. To teach the child means to end the poverty and inequality of opportunity. To discipline the child means to discipline ourselves and the society. This is not time for destructive criticism, nor for ill will or blaming ourselves. We have to build our future in beautiful symphony of brotherhood. Let new history begin in our home for India and the world.

Let us rejoice in Nehru’s vision, even though many of us are swimming in an ocean of poverty and clouds of problem encompassing us. Let the spirit of love of Nehru’s dream imprint in our heart and mind to speed up prosperity and equality to all children.

Long live Children’s Day

Long live Cha-cha Nehru

Yumri Taipodia