Children are our treasures, the greatest source of promise and potential for the country. The Universal Children's Day which falls on 14'h November every year celebrates the unique strengths and achievements of children and the way that children's lives enrich our own. It 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 coincides with the birthday of lndia's first Prime Minister, late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly called 'Chacha Nehru' by the children of lndia. Panditji's love and affection for children were well-known and was the delight of every parent and an inspiration to all.

Children's Day has a celebratory and an educational aspect. While celebrating the special nature of childhood, it also underlines the need to enhance and improve the lives and opportunities of children. The Department of Posts has been issuing a special stamp every year to emphasize the country 's social and moral responsibilities towards the needs and rights of children. The Department has also been adding colour to the private worlds of children through the postage stamps which it issues on important subjects. As a hobby which starts in childhood, stamp collecting has a worldwide fascination. It is a hobby that makes children more aware about what is happening in the world around us and helps them to grow in life.

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 designs of the stamp and the First Day Cover for this year's Children's Day depict the theme of 'The Role oflnformation Technology in Bringing the World Together'. The fresh and imaginative minds of children interpret the technology revolution that is sweeping the world today from different perspectives. The design of the stamp based on a painting by S. Jayesh Pillai, depicts the earth cozily resting in the protective embrace of technology. The work is at once striking for its apt symbolism and skill of execution. The First Day Cover carries another prize winning entry from the Competitions, executed by Neelam Anil Thakur, giving a child's view of today's age of Information Technology.

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