Strangely enough, India celebrates its Children’s Day on the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, a former Prime Minister. Now, PM Modi is set to change the way we celebrate children in this country. A new date specifically celebrating child prodigies has been earmarked for celebrating Children’s Day.
Veer Bal Diwas to be celebrated on erstwhile Boxing Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced December 26 as a date for celebrating the brave children of India. Starting this year, the whole nation will be celebrating ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ on the very next day of Christmas, a Christian festival. The day is remembered for the tremendous courage shown by the four sons of Guru Govind Singh Ji.
Announcing this initiative through his Tweet, PM Modi said, “Today, on the auspicious occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, I am honoured to share that starting this year, 26th December shall be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas.’ This is a fitting tribute to the courage of the Sahibzades and their quest for justice,”
Today, on the auspicious occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, I am honoured to share that starting this year, 26th December shall be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas.’ This is a fitting tribute to the courage of the Sahibzades and their quest for justice.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2022
Explaining his rationale behind the celebration, he said, “Veer Baal Diwas will be on the same day SahibzadaZorawar Singh Ji and SahibzadaFateh Singh Ji attained martyrdom after being sealed alive in a wall. These two greats preferred death instead of deviating from the noble principles of Dharma,”
‘Veer Baal Diwas’ will be on the same day Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji attained martyrdom after being sealed alive in a wall. These two greats preferred death instead of deviating from the noble principles of Dharma.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2022
PM Modi made this announcement while congratulating the whole nation for the Prakash Parv of Guru Govind Singh Ji. The Parv is being celebrated on the 9th of January this year. PM Modi also hailed the bravery of Mata Gujri, Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji and four of his sons.
The bravery and ideals of Mata Gujri, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the 4 Sahibzades give strength to millions of people. They never bowed to injustice. They envisioned a world that is inclusive and harmonious. It is the need of the hour for more people to know about them.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2022
14th November became children’s day in 1957
Starting from 1957, India is celebrating its children’s day on the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. After independence, India celebrated its first Children’s day on the 5th of November, 1948. Next year, the date was moved to 30th of July. In 1957, 10 years after independence, 14th November was declared as children’s day for a reason still unknown to most of the people. It was the 68th birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Since all of Jawaharlal Nehru’s achievements came in his adult life; it felt quite odd for a lot of people to celebrate Children’s day on his birthday. On the other hand, four sons of Guru Govind Singh Ji are famous in Sikhism (as well as all over India) for defiant stands by Guru Govind Singh Ji’s sons against Mughals.
Guru Govind Singh Ji’s sons are practical and non-political role models for kids
Guru Govind Singh Ji had four sons, namely, Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh were martyred on 7 December 1705 while fighting with the tyranny of Aurangzeb.
Zorawar Singh (aged 9) and his younger brother Fateh Singh (aged 6) were subjected to brutal suffocation before their deaths. Both kids were suffocated inside a brick wall by Aurangzeb; as a punishment for standing up for their cause.
Read more: Wondered what Aurangzeb kept knitting in the movie Tanhaji? Well, here’s the answer
The new initiative by PM Modi is expected to bring a change in which we celebrate children. Though, a Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was a politician. Celebrating children on his birthday could anytime translate into Children being used for political conditioning. The new date will ensure that kids have a non-political role model.
“Christmas, a Christian festival…”
Wrong! Christmas was originally a pagan festival usurped by rice bag missionaries eventually!