Universal Children's Day is an occasion to renew our commitment to the cause of children and re-dedicate ourselves to fulfilling their basic needs and rights. Children's day was first celebrated worldwide in October, 1953, under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare, Geneva. The idea of Universal Children's Day was mooted by late Shri V.K. Krishna Menon and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. Ever since, 14 November is observed as Universal Children's Day. The Day also coincides with the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The following words penned  by him capture the spirit with which the country celebrates the Children's Day:

"I am particularly happy that the Children of India have made this day (14 November) their own. No greater honour could have been done to me and no greater joy can come to me than to feel that these buds and flowers in the garden of India have given their affection. May they all have opportunities of growth and development which are their right and due. My love and blessing to all of them."

On its part, the Department of Posts issues a special stamp every year, to mark Children's Day, underlining the country's responsibility and commitment to meeting the needs and fulfilling the rights of children. Various issues involved in child survival, protection and development have been highlighted through stamps issued on themes like nutrition, shelter, education, recreation, children's literature, children's paintings, empowerment of the girl child etc. In recent years, it has become customary to issue stamps on Children's Day depicting prize-winning entries from nation-wide Stamp Design Competitions organised by the Department. These stamps, thus, also provide an insight into the minds of the younger generation, into issues which are of concern to them.

The year's stamp, based on a painting by Phuhar Uppal, which won the top honour in the Junior Category, depicts a child hugging a friendly elephant and carries the title "My Best Friend". The elephant becomes a metaphor for nature in the painting and its benevolence, a symbol of the unlimited bounties that nature provides the human race. The tranquility and harmony of this painting gently reminds the viewer that the harmony of man with nature needs to be maintained. At the same time, it also reiterates the need for all nations to join forces against the destruction of ecological balance. The First  Day Cover carries a painting by Daya Maheswaran, another entry received in the Stamp Design Competition, which also carries  an appeal for the protection of environment.

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