India's commitment to the cause and well being of its children is enshrined in its Constitution. The country has upheld its social and moral responsibility towards the need s and rights of the children. The successive Five Year Plan s have enabled a planned approach to child welfare, which blossomed into the National Policy for Children in 1974, laying down the guiding principles for action this area.

The Department of Posts, on its part, has cherished the Universal Children's Day and has been celebrating the same with the issue of a special postage stamp every year. Over the years, the stamps have highlighted themes of relevance for the growth and well being of children, like nutrition, shelter, educational facilities, empowerment of the girl child etc. In recent years, the practice of issuing stamps depicting  paintings by children themselves has been followed. Children's art makes fascinating study on account of their innocence, richness of imagination and freedom of execution. The Children's Day stamps, therefore, also provide insights into the minds of the younger generation, into issues that are of concern to them. The Department has also been adding colour to the private world of children through the postage stamps which it issues on important subjects. As a hobby that starts in childhood, stamp collecting makes children more aware about what is happening in the world around them and helps them to grow in life.

The stamp being issued this year carries a detail from a painting by Aakash Anand, which captures the spirit. of Holi, India's most colourful festival. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. It is also a celebration of joy and hope. The artist has re-created the mood of vibrant joy, through images of dance, music and festivities. The colours used are bright and the execution is bold. The painting had stood first in the nation-wide Stamp Design Competition held in October 2002.

The First Day Cover is ba sed on another award winning entry of the Stamp Design Competition, which was done by Debahuti Hazarika.

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