The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, organized a special discussion on “Diyaslai”, the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi.
About the Book
- “Diyaslai” is the autobiography of Kailash Satyarthi, chronicling his journey from humble beginnings to his relentless fight against child exploitation.
- The book captures his dedication to child rights, which ultimately led to his Nobel Peace Prize recognition.
- The title “Diyaslai” translates to “matchstick” in Hindi, symbolizing a small spark igniting a massive movement for child rights.
Who is Kailash Satyarthi?
- Born in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, Kailash Satyarthi is an Indian social reformer and child rights activist.
- 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, shared with Malala Yousafzai, for their efforts in advocating education and children’s rights.
- Founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) in 1980, which has rescued thousands of children from forced labor and slavery.
- Key Initiatives:
- Bal Mitra Gram (BMG) – “Child-Friendly Villages” ensuring no child labor and universal school enrollment.
- South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude (SACCS), established in 1989, uniting NGOs and unions across Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
- GoodWeave (formerly RugMark) launched in 1994 to certify that carpets are child-labor free.
- Co-founder of the Global Campaign for Education (1999), advocating education as a universal human right.
- Founding member of UNESCO’s High-Level Group on Education for All (2001).