By Mohammad Arfat Wani
Children are among the most beautiful gifts of God. Their innocent smiles, little questions, small dreams and pure hearts make our world a better place. They do not know the meaning of hatred, jealousy or discrimination. They know how to laugh, how to love and how to make others happy. Perhaps this is why it is said, “Bachay man kay sachay.”
Every year, Children’s Day gives us a beautiful reason to celebrate childhood and remember the importance of children in our lives. It is a day of happiness but it is also a day to think about the rights, safety, education and future of every child. Children are not only the future of our society, they are also an important part of our present. The way we treat them today will shape the society we live in tomorrow.
When we look at a child, we see a world full of dreams. Some children dream of becoming doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, officers and sportspersons. Others simply want to study, play and enjoy a happy life. Every dream matters, no matter how small it may seem to us. A child should never feel that their dreams are less important because of their family’s financial condition or social background.
Sadly enough this is not the case for all children. There are those who go to school with beautiful bags and lunch boxes, whereas there are those who earn money to support their parents. There are some children who have comfortable homes, loving and caring treatment and all the necessary facilities. On the contrary there are those who lack the basic necessities of life. There are children who wish to study but do not have the money to pay for school fees and books.
This inequality should make us think. The future of any child should not depend on whether they are from a rich family or a poor one. All children deserve an equal opportunity to learn and grow.
Education is certainly one of the best gifts that we could ever give our children. Schools aren’t just institutions that help children become literate. They are places where children learn discipline, friendship, confidence, respect for life and other important things.
Teachers also play a significant role in educating young minds. Just a few words from a teacher can sometimes give a child enough courage to believe in themselves. A teacher is not supposed to teach lessons from textbooks alone but should understand the problems of students as well.
Along with education, children need love, attention and understanding at home. Parents should listen to their children, respect their feelings and give them enough time. Every child is different. Some are good at studies, some are talented in sports, some love drawing, music or writing while others have skills that may take time to discover. We should never compare one child with another. Instead, we should help every child find their own strengths.
It is also necessary to recognise the fact that children have emotions. It is possible that they cannot express their sadness, fear or problems but that does not mean that they do not have any problems. At times there might be children who are smiling in front of everybody but are struggling alone. Parents and teachers should try to develop an environment where children feel comfortable enough to talk without any fear. We should not make fun of their questions, scold them for every mistake or disregard their emotions.
The current generation of children has mobile phones and the internet in their lives as well. Modern technology can help them acquire knowledge in many ways, but using mobile phones excessively can affect their education, sleep and socialising with other children. They also need playgrounds, books, friends and interaction just as much as they need technology.
Most importantly we must protect children from abuse, violence, exploitation, child labour and all forms of discrimination. Their safety is not only the responsibility of parents or teachers. It is the responsibility of society as a whole. Every child should be raised in a world that makes them feel safe, valued and respected.
On this Children’s Day, we should also remember those children who cannot celebrate this special day. We should think about the plight of those children who are battling poverty, those whose parents have passed away, those living with disabilities and those who are deprived of education. Their happiness is just as important as that of any other child.
We often say that children are the future of our nation but we should also remember that they are living human beings with dreams, feelings and rights today. They do not need only expensive gifts, big celebrations or special events. They need our time, love, care, protection and support.
A society becomes truly beautiful when its children are happy, educated, safe and confident. Let us promise ourselves that we will never allow a child’s poverty to become a barrier to education, a child’s weakness to become a reason for insult or a child’s dream to be destroyed by our lack of support.
Let every child smile without fear, study without financial pressure, dream without limits and grow without discrimination. Their little hands may be small, but their dreams can be bigger than the world.
Because bachay waqai man kay sachay hotay hain. Their innocence is precious, their smiles are priceless and their future is our shared responsibility.
Happy Children’s Day to every child. May every childhood be filled with love, happiness, education and beautiful dreams.
Mohammad Arfat Wani is a writer, social activist, and nursing student from Kuchmulla, Tral. He writes on social issues, culture, and public concerns with the aim of raising awareness and inspiring positive change. Email: [email protected]
