Exiled Tibetans observe Universal Children's Day in Dharamsala

Exiled Tibetans living in Dharamsala organised games and races for school students on the occasion of Universal Children's Day and to deliver the message of protecting child rights.

Many children from different schools in the town participated in different relays and races like balloon bursting race and sack hopping.

The events were coordinated and organised by college students from other countries living in India and studying Tibetan programmes.

Universal Children's Day is celebrated annually on November 20. The day is celebrated to encourage all countries, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action conducive to the welfare of children all over the world.

In India, Children's Day is celebrated on November 14 every year as a tribute to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, on his birth anniversary.

Former Indian statesman V.K. Krishna Menon suggested the idea of a Universal Children's Day and it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. At first it was celebrated universally in the month of October. After 1959, November 20 was chosen as Children's day as it marked the anniversary of the day when the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Child Rights.

Convention on the Rights of the Child was also signed on the same date in 1989.