Mangalore : November 14 is the birthday of Pandit-Nehru who was called “Chacha” by children. It was Nehru Chacha(uncle) who made the Day immortal, by bringing in children and telling them about earth and the world around them which protects them and creates lots of wonder as they grow up.

Child is looked upon as “father of Man”, as they learn languages, habits, walking and talking, traditional ways of life, at a very young age before they reach 5. It sis also a fact of the day that in India, child mortality(before 5 years) is very high in lakhs due to disease, malnutrition, an neglect by parents.

Many children have died by falling into borewells under construction, or in ponds, because parents are away, or when mother throws them to get rid of them.

But children are meant to be loved, and not to be forgotten despised, or disliked. They learn quickly whether music paintings, instruments, languages, movements in neighbourhood, and they are smiles, when affectionately called.

They are the human flowers of the earth. They need care and protection constantly, and react to bad wealther especially rainy season, and to harsh sounds. There are cases of babies being killed and eaten up by street dogs.

The child is friendly to all adults. When it goes to schools, it makes new friends for life. It asks questions to elicit patient answers from elders in the family, or at school. Mostly women run the baby schools. On children’s Day, our attention goes back to our won childhood and we try to re-examine what we missed ten.

Children could be orphans, living on streets, abandoned in waste material bins, or near the temple steps. They are adopted by foster parents.

Never neglect a child, even if it is not your own, it will remember you. Gandhiji and Chacha Nehru always liked them in free India.