Child Rights

Children’s Day 2019: Stamp Design Contest on Child Rights

Celebrating Children and Their Rights

To mark Children’s Day 2019, the Department of Posts in collaboration with UNICEF organized a Stamp Design Contest on the theme of “Child Rights”. This creative initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of child rights while simultaneously promoting philately among young minds across the country.

The collaboration was especially significant as the year 2019 commemorated two major milestones — the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and 70 years of UNICEF’s presence in India.

Inspiring Awareness through Art

The contest, held from 7th August to 30th September 2019, invited students from Classes I to XII to express their understanding of child rights through drawings, sketches, or paintings. The initiative provided children an opportunity to creatively showcase their ideas about the rights every child deserves.

Based on the winning entries, Commemorative Postage Stamps, a Miniature Sheet, First Day Cover, and a Brochure were designed and released on Children’s Day.

Recognizing Young Talent

To honour the creativity of participants, eight prizes were awarded:

• First Prize: ₹50,000 – Ms. Nidhi Rahul Mhatre
• Second Prize: ₹25,000 – Ms. Vibhuani Agarwal
• Third Prize: ₹10,000 – Ms. Deepali Minda
• Consolation Prizes (₹5,000 each): Master Rupam Mahanty, Ms. Vaidehi Vikas Srikhande, Ms. Arya Thakur, Master Sarvesh Suresh Joshi, and Ms. Kratika Chittoriya

These talented young artists used their imagination and compassion to highlight the importance of child rights in shaping a better and more equitable future.

Understanding Child Rights

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) remains the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, symbolizing a global commitment to safeguard children’s welfare. It defines child rights as the minimum entitlements and freedoms that must be guaranteed to every individual below 18 years of age, regardless of background, gender, or status.

The rights are categorized into four key areas:

1. Right to Survival:
   Every child has the right to be born, to live with dignity, and to have access to food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, safe drinking water, and education.
2. Right to Protection:
   Children must be protected from violence, neglect, exploitation, and abuse and should grow in safe environments that encourage positive development.
3. Right to Participation:
   Every child has the right to freely express their opinions, access information, and participate in decisions that affect their lives.
4. Right to Development:
   This includes the right to education, recreation, emotional and mental growth, and skill development to prepare for a sustainable future.

A Message of Hope and Responsibility

Millions of children across the world still face deprivation, abuse, and lack of access to education and healthcare. Through this philatelic initiative, India Post and UNICEF have reminded society of its collective duty to protect and nurture every child — ensuring they grow up in an environment filled with love, dignity, and opportunity.

Philately as a Platform for Advocacy

This Stamp Design Contest on Child Rights beautifully merges art, awareness, and social responsibility, using postage stamps as miniature messengers of a powerful cause. The initiative not only celebrates the creativity of young minds but also strengthens the movement toward ensuring every child enjoys their fundamental rights — to survive, grow, learn, and dream.