Children's Day is celebrated throughout the country on 14th November every year. The theme selected for this year's Children's Day stamp is Children's Literature.

It is said that children grow up with good books. The turn of  the  century saw the advent of children's literature in most of the Indian languages. It is now a well-developed and popular aspect of book publishing in India. From 'once­ upon-a-time' tales and 'long-long-ago' stories, children's literature has graduated to adventure stories and science fiction, in tune with the times. However, the classics, mythology, and legends have stood the test of time as representing our rich heritage and tradition.  Naturally, they provide a veritable storehouse for writers in search of stories with a 'message'.

The Panchatantra, for instance, continues to fascinate writers and readers alike. The stories tell us in a lucid and engaging style the various facets of  human  nature and existence.  Hence  their  universal appeal. They are ascribed to a Brahmin, Vishnusharman,  who  had   three   princes as his ward to be taught 'the wise conduct of life'. The  Panchatantra   first  appeared in Sanskrit, and its translations not only travelled  far and wide, but assumed  different forms in several countries, ultimately becoming the best collection of stories in the  world.

The P and T Department pays its tribute to the Panchatantra by selecting a child's painting based on  one  of  the stories-of the loyal mongoose, killed in anger by a farmer's wife, who  is  hasty  in  mistaking its blood-smeared appearance, without knowing that her pet has really saved her baby from a snake. The hurt look in the mongoose's eyes and the shadow of repentance over the woman's face in this painting  speak  much  more  than words can.

The painting adopted  for  the  design of the stamp was done by 10-year-old Kum. Hansa D. Bhatia while the painting adopted on First Day Cover was done by 10-year-old Kum. Vyomini Mehta. The paintings were received as entries in a competition organised by Guest Keen & Williams Ltd., and have been provided by Smt.  Hara. Gupta.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India