Subhechcha Ganguly 
Kailash Satyarthi, the Nobel laureate from India, is a man whose life’s work embodies the very essence of social justice and compassion. He has dedicated his life to the protection of children’s rights and the eradication of child labor. Satyarthi’s story is one that is inspiring and heartwarming, yet also poignant and powerful.
Born in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, Satyarthi was a child of privilege. However, as he grew older, he became increasingly aware of the stark inequalities that existed in Indian society, particularly with regard to the exploitation of children. Determined to make a difference, he decided to dedicate his life to the cause of social justice.
Satyarthi founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) in 1980, with the aim of rescuing and rehabilitating child laborers. Over the years, he has carried out countless raids on factories, mines, and workshops across India, rescuing children who were forced to work in inhumane conditions. He has also campaigned tirelessly for the rights of these children, calling for greater protection and support from the Indian government.
Satyarthi’s work has not been without danger. He has faced numerous threats and attacks over the years, and even survived an assassination attempt in 2004. Yet he remains undeterred in his mission, driven by a deep sense of compassion and a steadfast belief in the power of human rights.
In 2014, Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside Malala Yousafzai, for his tireless efforts to promote the rights of children. The award was a recognition of his decades of work, and a testament to the importance of his mission.
Today, Satyarthi continues to work towards his vision of a world in which every child is free to live, learn, and grow in safety and dignity. He has called on governments and corporations around the world to take action against child labor, and has spoken out against the exploitation of children in all its forms.
Kailash Satyarthi’s advocacy for children’s rights began in the 1980s when he started to investigate and expose cases of child labor in India. He discovered that millions of children were working in dangerous and exploitative conditions, deprived of their basic rights and freedoms. Satyarthi’s activism led to the formation of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an organization that has been instrumental in rescuing over 80,000 children from various forms of exploitation and slavery.
Satyarthi’s advocacy for children’s rights has gained global recognition, and he has received several prestigious awards and honors for his work. In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, he has also been awarded the Defenders of Democracy Award by the Parliamentarians for Global Action, the Alfonso Comin International Award, and the Freedom Award by the International Rescue Committee.
At the recent inauguration of the Civil20 India 2023 inception conference, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi delivered a powerful message that resonated deeply with the audience. Satyarthi, a tireless advocate for the rights of children, spoke of India’s unique place in the world as the mother of one billion solutions.
Despite being a land of 100 problems, Satyarthi stressed that India has the potential to lead the globalisation of compassion, serving as a beacon of hope for the world’s most vulnerable populations. As one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20, C20 India 2023 provides a platform for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders of the G20.
As India continues to grapple with a host of complex social, economic, and political issues, Satyarthi’s message serves as a call to action for all Indians to come together in a spirit of compassion and cooperation, working towards a brighter and more just future for all.
Satyarthi’s story is one of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment. He is a shining example of what it means to fight for justice and human rights, and a true hero of our time. His legacy will continue to inspire and motivate generations to come, as we work towards a brighter, more just future for all.
