Kailash Satyarthi, who won the coveted Nobel Peace Prize for his relentless crusade for child rights, spoke to Teena Thacker about his work, the award and his aim.
Q:What is your first reaction on receiving the award?
A: The award was an honour for my fellow Indians and for all those children whose voice has never been heard before in the country. It was a passion from my childhood to work for children, I carried it forward. I dedicate the coveted award to people of India and vowed to work with renewed vigour against exploitation of children and to ensure their welfare.
Q: You have been honoured by former US President Bill Clinton and have featured in Human rights’ activist Kerry Kennedy’s book, Speak Truth to Power, where your life and work was featured among the top 50 human rights defenders in the world... How does it feel?
A: We have been humbly fighting for child rights and the Nobel Peace award has in fact put more responsibility on me to work towards welfare of children.
Q: What do you think is the major challenge before India as far as the rights of the children are concerned?
A: The major challenge is to protect the rights of the children. This is not about simply poverty. It is more than that. The fight has to continue. We are happy that the issue has been recognised globally now. I will continue my work.
Q: Do you think that this award will send the message to all the stakeholders?
A: This is for the first time that someone has won the peace prize on the issue of child rights. The biggest achievement for me will be if tomorrow the message goes out and we manage to inspire more people to join the movement.
Q: Do you have any set aim?
A: There is a long way to go. However, I would want to work till I eliminate child labour from India. I have been very strongly advocating that poverty must not be used as an excuse to continue child labour. It perpetuates poverty. If children are deprived of education, they remain poor.”
Q: Do you have any set aim?
A:There is a long way to go. However, I would want to work till I eliminate child labour from India. I have been very strongly advocating that poverty must not be used as an excuse to continue child labour. It perpetuates poverty. If children are deprived of education, they remain poor.”