Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi inspires children with 3D mantra

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nobel Peace prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi interacted with over 2000 people including children and teachers at

Sarvodaya Vidyalaya

hall here on Tuesday, after reaching Kerala capital on Monday evening as part of the

Bharat Yatra

against child abuse and trafficking which was flagged off from

Kanyakumari

. On the death of a seven year old at Ryan international school at Gurgaon, he condemned it saying schools in India are no more safe for children and spoke on the need for a review of security measures in schools. He said the recent incident has instilled fear in the minds of parents and children.

"It is shameful that children are unsafe even in schools which is supposed to be the place to educate young minds. The death of a seven year old at Gurgaon school shocks the conscience of all, it is the responsibility of the school authorities to ensure that the credentials of the staff is verified and proper security is in place to prevent such crimes against children. The parents-teachers association too needs to ensure that proper measures are in place to check such incidents in schools," Kailash Satyarthi said while interacting with children.

"Schools are supposed to be the safest havens, where a child can interact and learn freely. This Bharat Yatra covering 11,000 km in 22 states across the country in 35 days is a mission, a war against all forms of child abuse, violence and trafficking," he said. This is largest ever social movement to ensure Safe Childhood and it is the right of every child to have a decent childhood, he said. He urged all to join the Yatra and said that it is heartfelt need for every right thinking individual to pledge against child abuse and trafficking and to prevent that.

The Nobel laureate then led his march to Manaveeyam veedi at Vellayambalam where he was joined by hundreds of well-wishers, child rights activists and children. He with his team of over 200 key campaigners mostly children visited the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) and had an interaction with the chairperson and members there. Following that, at the key event, an afternoon with Kailash Satyarthi at Tagore theatre was organised by KeSCPCR with IT@ School among others. He interacted with over 800 children from various child care institutions and schools assembled there.

Inspiring all and in particular the children, Kailash Satyarthi said "No one is ordinary, we are all special as we are part of the divinity with infinite potential. When you look at others as your hero, do not forget that there is a hero in each one of you". Urging that the children are not only the future, he said the children are the present creators of history.

After administering a pledge against child abuse and exploitation, Kailash Satyarthi also gave a mantra to children. He said it is 3D which stands for Dream big, then Discover the power, opportunity and passion in you and to make it a reality `Do that' or act fearlessly. He said if one door is closed three doors will open and said he is not priest but a honest human being dedicated to fight against all forms of child abuse, child labour and trafficking.

When he was short of time, Satyarthi assured children that he would respond to their queries over mail. Yet one boy screamed out that he has a question, while a girl stood up to sing an inspiring

Malayalam

song which was popularly sung by late actor Kalabhavan Mani. Then Satyarthi walked up to the child, accompanied her to the dais to sing and wished her well.

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