Kailash Satyarthi: From crumbling address in Vidisha to world spotlight

VIDISHA : From dusty bylanes cutting through modest brick structures to a dilapidated structure with peeling paint inside the crumbling walled city in Vidisha, 50 km from Bhopal, Kailash Satyarthi stands on the threshold of the world's biggest honour - the Nobel peace prize. Trained as an electrical engineer from a local government college, intricate circuit boards and electron tubes failed to excite him till he plunged into high-voltage activism for the cause of unprivileged children.It's also a special day for him - it's Kailash Satyarthi's marriage anniversary.
"Marriage was the turning point in his life," said his elder brother, Jagmohan Sharma. He was married to a family with Arya Samaj leanings. And Kailash Sharma, a Brahmin, later adopted the surname of Satyarthi on his father-in-law's insistence.
There were massive celebrations outside the most-sought after address of Vidisha - Qilander, near broken fort ramparts. As news spread about the big honour for Vidisha's icon, children began dancing to drum beats outside his house. Kailash's niece, Pragya, said, "For us, it's Diwali even before Diwali." His nephew, Pravesh Sharma, broke the news on phone, when he was sitting at a shop with his friend around 2.30 pm.
"At first, I could not believe my ears," said Jagmohan Sharma, a retired lecturer, who has a doctorate in political science. "I asked my son to repeat what I just heard. I rushed home only to see that the entire family watching the news on television," he said.
Kailash went to Top Pura Middle School, Vidisha, and passed his higher secondary exam from Jain Higher Secondary School. Later, he took admission at a local engineering college, Samrat Ashok Technology Institute, from where he earned his degree.
Faced with bite-hungry television reporters, they said, "We are too happy but cannot explain it in words." Later, speaking to TOI, Jagmohan said, "Kailash was never interested in electrical circuits. He had activism in his blood. I am a communist," he said.
Kailash was a fiery debater and never missed an opportunity to participate in competitions, his elder brother, Jagmohan said. And his topics would always revolve around burning issues. "He would be disturbed when he would spot children employed as labourers and washing utensils in hotels. He always had the burning fire in him to free them from bondage," he said.
He always wanted to do something different, Jagmohan reminisces. "Kailash would feel offended to see misuse of government machinery. In market places, if he found some government vehicle being used for private purpose, he would snatch its keys from the driver and would submit in police station."
He had been trying for the Nobel for 3 years. On one occasion, his name was shortlisted, but later the prize went to someone else. This time, he's made it big, said Jagmohan.