The United Nations has declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child. India had played a significant role inthe efforts that culminated in the U.N. resolution declaring the IYC. The year will be observed throughout the country through advocacy and action programmes, directed towards the welfare of children. With a view to giving high powered policy direction to the observance of the International Year of te 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 National Children's Board has approved a National Plan of Action for the International Year of the Child. The plan envisages programmes in the fields of child health and nutrition, education, social welfare, legislation, publicity and fund raising. It also lays down operational guidelines that specify the role of Central Government, State Government and Voluntary Organisations inthe implementation of the action programme. The theme of the National Plan of Action is "Reaching the Deprived Child" signifying that special emphasis inthe year 1979 will be to ameliorate the condition of children of weaker sections of society, viz. scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and other poverty groups located in urban slums and rural areas.

During the International Year of the Child it would be the endavour of the Government to promote all-round healthy develoment of the child and a happy family life as the foundation for a bright future for the Child and 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 symbo adopted for the year depicts a boy and a girl with a sun and a slate. The slate stands for the importance of education for the future of children. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department feels privileged to issue a set of two stamps of 100 Paise and 25 Paise in March, 1979 to mark the observance of the International Year of the Child.

The P & T Depatment is greatful to Shri Kanu Gandhi for copyright permission to use the photograph showing Gandhiji with a child on 25 P. Stamp.

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