The quiet one-man crusader said he would ask the Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai to join him in fighting against exploitation of children besides working together for peace in the sub-continent
New Delhi: The quiet one-man crusader said he would ask the Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai to join him in fighting against exploitation of children besides working together for peace in the sub-continent.
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Child Rights activist Kailash Satyarthi at his office in New Delhi. Pic/PTI
“I know her (Malala) personally. I will ask her that besides our fight for child rights and education for children, particularly for girls, we have to go a step further and work for peace in our sub-continent. For India and Pakistan, it is very important that our children are born and live in peace,” said the 60-year-old, founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan.
Expressing his happiness over winning the Nobel Peace prize, Satyarthi dedicated the award to the people of India and vowed to work with renewed vigour against exploitation of children and to ensure their welfare. “I am thankful to the Nobel committee for recognising the plight of millions of children who are suffering in this modern age. It is a huge honour for me,” he said.
A follower of Gandhian philosophy, Satyarthi said he would have been happier if the award had gone to the Father of the Nation. “I was born after the death of Mahatma Gandhi. If the prize had gone to Mahatma Gandhi before me, I would have been more honoured. I am really honoured. This award is for all the citizens of the country,” he said.