About this stamp
The United Nations declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child, a year dedicated to advocating for and taking action towards the welfare of children worldwide. India played a significant role in the efforts leading to the U.N. resolution declaring the IYC. Throughout the country, various advocacy and action programs will be organized to observe the International Year of the Child.
To provide policy direction to the observance of the International Year of the Child, the National Children’s Board, headed by the Prime Minister, is functioning as the National Commission for the International Year of the Child. The Board has approved a National Plan of Action for the International Year of the Child, focusing on child health and nutrition, education, social welfare, legislation, publicity, and fundraising. The plan outlines the roles of the Central Government, State Government, and Voluntary Organizations in implementing the action program.
The theme of the National Plan of Action is “Reaching the Deprived Child,” emphasizing efforts to improve the conditions of children from weaker sections of society, including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other poverty groups in urban slums and rural areas. During the International Year of the Child, the Government aims to promote the all-round healthy development of children and foster happy family life as the foundation for a bright future for both children and the nation.
India has adopted a special slogan – ‘Happy Child-Nation’s Pride’ in English and ‘Bacche ki Muskan-Rashtra ki Shaan’ in Hindi for the International Year of the Child. The special symbol chosen for the year depicts a boy and a girl with a sun and a slate, symbolizing the importance of education for the future of children.
To mark the observance of the International Year of the Child, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a set of two stamps of 100 Paise and 25 Paise in March 1979. The Department expresses gratitude to Shri Kanu Gandhi for granting copyright permission to use the photograph showing Gandhiji with a child on the 25 Paise stamp.
