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Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi

Introduction

Explore the inspiring life and work of Kailash Satyarthi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2014, who has dedicated his life to the fight against child labour and for the right of all children to receive an education. This lesson offers insights into his early influences, educational background, and the significant impact of his lifelong mission.

Kailash Satyarthi

Early Life and Inspiration

Kailash Satyarthi was born on January 11, 1954, in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India. From a young age, he was deeply moved by the plight of children less fortunate than himself. A pivotal moment came on his first day of school when he saw a child working as a shoeshine boy instead of attending school. This encounter ignited his lifelong commitment to children's rights.

Educational Background

Satyarthi pursued his higher education at the Samrat Ashok Technological Institute in Vidisha, where he graduated in Electrical Engineering. He further specialized in high-voltage engineering and even taught at a college for two years. However, his passion for social justice led him to abandon his engineering career to focus on activism.

Founding of Bachpan Bachao Andolan

In 1980, Satyarthi founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), a non-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of child labour and the promotion of children's rights. His efforts through this organization have led to the rescue of thousands of children from exploitative labour conditions.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 2014, Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai for their relentless struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. His acceptance speech highlighted the urgent need for collective action to protect children's rights globally.

Key Messages and Impact

Satyarthi's work underscores the importance of education and freedom for all children. His key message is that there is no greater violence than denying a child their dreams. His life's aim is to ensure every child is free to be a child, free to grow, learn, and dream. He appeals to world leaders and society at large to take urgent, collective action to end all forms of violence against children.

Seema's Inspiration

The lesson also narrates the story of Seema, a young girl inspired by Satyarthi's work. Upon learning about his mission, she decides to donate her old school books to help educate poor children, demonstrating how his message can inspire action at any age.

Conclusion

Kailash Satyarthi's dedication and achievements in the realm of children's rights serve as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on society. His story encourages us all to contribute to the fight for a world where every child is free to live, learn, and dream.

Call to Action

Join the movement and support the cause of children's rights. Whether through advocacy, donations, or volunteering, every effort counts in making a difference in the lives of children around the world.

Summary

Kailash Satyarthi is a prominent social activist known for his tireless work to combat child labour and promote children's rights. He co-won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 with Malala Yousafzai for their efforts to end the oppression of children and ensure their right to education. His journey began with a poignant moment from his childhood when he witnessed another child working instead of attending school. This experience profoundly impacted him and ignited his lifelong mission to fight for children's rights.

Satyarthi founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating child labor and advocating for children's education. His commitment to this cause is evident in his powerful speeches, where he emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to protect children's rights and ensure their freedom and opportunity to dream and grow.

Through his work, Satyarthi highlights the injustices faced by children worldwide, such as those who labor in harsh conditions without experiencing the simple joys of childhood. He calls on global leaders and society to end all forms of violence against children and to prioritize their welfare.

His story and achievements inspire many, including young readers like Seema in the narrative, to take action and contribute to the cause of helping underprivileged children access education and a better future.

Tick the correct answers.

 1. Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize in

 a. 2011.

 b. 2012.

 c. 2013.

 d. 2014.

 

 2. Which other personality was awarded the Prize along With Kailash that year?

 a. Abhijit Banerjee

 b. Malala Yousafzai

 c. Barack Obama

 d. Kofi Annan

 

 3. Kailash Satyarthi was born in

 a. Rajasthan.

 b. Uttar Pradesh.

 c. Madhya Pradesh.

 d. Punjab.

 

4. He founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan in

 a. 1980.

 b. 1985.

 c. 1990.

 d. 2000.

 

 5. As a small child of 11, Kailash Satyarthi helped poor children by

 a. giving them money.

 b. giving them food

 c. creating a book bank for them.

 d. giving them clothes.

………………………………………..

Here are the correct answers:

  1. Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize in

    • d. 2014.

  2. Which other personality was awarded the Prize along with Kailash that year?

    • b. Malala Yousafzai

  3. Kailash Satyarthi was born in

    • c. Madhya Pradesh.

  4. He founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan in

    • a. 1980.

  5. As a small child of 11, Kailash Satyarthi helped poor children by

    • c. creating a book bank for them.

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi at a press conference the day before they received the Nobel Peace Prize 2014

Write (T) for true and (F) for false sentences.

 1.  Seema and her family were enjoying their Sunday by watching TV.

 2.Kailash Satyarthi was the sole winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

 3. He was given the Prize for his work on the right of children to education

 and for his fight against their exploitation.

 4. Kailash Satyarthi did his graduation in electrical engineering.

 5. In his speech, Kailash expressed satisfaction in the way education was being

 imparted to children.

……………………………………………………………………………………..

Here are the statements marked as true (T) or false (F):

  1. Seema and her family were enjoying their Sunday by watching TV.

    • (F)

  2. Kailash Satyarthi was the sole winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

    • (F)

  3. He was given the Prize for his work on the right of children to education and for his fight against their exploitation.

    • (T)

  4. Kailash Satyarthi did his graduation in electrical engineering.

    • (T)

  5. In his speech, Kailash expressed satisfaction in the way education was being imparted to children.

    • (F)

Answer these questions briefly.

 1. Who is Kailash Satyarthi?

 2. Where had Seema heard his name?

 3. What does the lesson tell us about Kailash's educational background?

 4. Why did Kailash Satyarthi quit his job as an engineer?

 5. What is Bachpan Bachao Andolan?

Brief Answers

  1. Who is Kailash Satyarthi?

    • Kailash Satyarthi is a social activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his work in advocating for children's rights and fighting against child labour and exploitation.

  2. Where had Seema heard his name?

    • Seema had heard his name mentioned in her class when the teacher was discussing famous Indian Nobel laureates.

  3. What does the lesson tell us about Kailash's educational background?

    • Kailash Satyarthi graduated in electrical engineering from the Samrat Ashok Technological Institute in Vidisha and did post-graduation in high-voltage engineering. He also taught in college for two years.

  4. Why did Kailash Satyarthi quit his job as an engineer?

    • Kailash Satyarthi quit his job as an engineer in 1980 because he felt dissatisfied with the work and wanted to focus on his mission to fight for children's rights.

  5. What is Bachpan Bachao Andolan?

    • Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement) is a non-profit organization founded by Kailash Satyarthi in 1980 that campaigns for the rights of children and aims to eradicate child labour.

Read these lines and answer the questions that follow.

  1. "It's amazing how a small incident acted as a catalyst and compelled Kailash

 Satyarthi to do something for children who were less privileged than him."

 a. Who said these words?

 b. What is the incident being referred to here?

 c. What did the incident compel Kailash Satyarthi to do?

 2. "Whose children are they who stitch footballs, yet have never played with one?"

 a. Who said these words?

 b. Explain the point that the speaker is trying to make here.

Read and Answer

  1. "It's amazing how a small incident acted as a catalyst and compelled Kailash Satyarthi to do something for children who were less privileged than him."

    • a. Who said these words?

      • Seema said these words.

    • b. What is the incident being referred to here?

      • The incident being referred to is when young Kailash Satyarthi saw a child his age working as a shoeshine boy instead of attending school.

    • c. What did the incident compel Kailash Satyarthi to do?

      • The incident compelled Kailash Satyarthi to collect used books and create a book bank for poor children.

  2. "Whose children are they who stitch footballs, yet have never played with one?"

    • a. Who said these words?

      • Kailash Satyarthi said these words in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

    • b. Explain the point that the speaker is trying to make here.

      • The speaker is highlighting the irony and injustice that children who labour to produce goods like footballs are deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the products of their work. This emphasizes the exploitation and denial of basic joys and rights to these children.

Answer these questions in detail.

1. What prompted Kailash Satyarthi to create a book bank for poor children?

 2. Describe the educational background of Kailash Satyarthi.

 3. What is the single aim of Kailash Satyarthi's life?

 4. Explain how the examples given by Kailash Satyarthi in his speech reflect the irony of the situation of poor children.

 5. In his speech, Kailash Satyarthi says that he represents the sound of silence, the cry of innocence and the face of invisibility. Who does he represent and why has he chosen to describe them in this way?

Detailed Answers

  1. What prompted Kailash Satyarthi to create a book bank for poor children?

    • Kailash Satyarthi was prompted to create a book bank for poor children after witnessing a child working as a shoeshine boy instead of attending school. The child's father's remark about being born to work left a profound impact on young Satyarthi, compelling him to take action to help children access education.

  2. Describe the educational background of Kailash Satyarthi.

    • Kailash Satyarthi attended the Government Boys' Higher Secondary School in Vidisha. He then graduated in electrical engineering from the Samrat Ashok Technological Institute in Vidisha and pursued post-graduation in high-voltage engineering. He also taught in college for two years before dedicating himself to activism.

  3. What is the single aim of Kailash Satyarthi's life?

    • The single aim of Kailash Satyarthi's life is to ensure that every child is free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat, sleep, see daylight, free to laugh and cry, free to play, free to learn, free to go to school, and above all, free to dream.

  4. Explain how the examples given by Kailash Satyarthi in his speech reflect the irony of the situation of poor children.

    • The examples given by Kailash Satyarthi, such as children stitching footballs without ever playing with one or harvesting cocoa without tasting chocolate, reflect the irony that these children are exploited for labor that produces goods they are never able to enjoy. This underscores the deep injustice and deprivation they face, highlighting the need for urgent action to protect their rights.

  5. In his speech, Kailash Satyarthi says that he represents the sound of silence, the cry of innocence, and the face of invisibility. Who does he represent and why has he chosen to describe them in this way?

    • Kailash Satyarthi represents children who are victims of exploitation and oppression. He describes them as the sound of silence, the cry of innocence, and the face of invisibility to emphasize that these children often suffer in silence, their innocence is violated, and they remain unseen and unheard in society. This powerful imagery draws attention to their plight and the urgent need for their voices to be acknowledged and their rights protected.

Think and answer

 "There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of children.''  Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Think and Answer

"There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of children.'' Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes, I agree with the statement that there is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of children. Denying a child's dreams means robbing them of their future potential, opportunities for growth, and the ability to live a fulfilling life. It stifles their imagination, creativity, and hope. When children are forced into labor or deprived of education and basic rights, they are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation. This not only affects their individual lives but also hinders the progress of society as a whole. Ensuring that children can dream and pursue their aspirations is fundamental to building a just and equitable world.

Here are multiple-choice questions based on the lesson:

  1. When did Kailash Satyarthi win the Nobel Peace Prize?

    • a) 2011

    • b) 2012

    • c) 2013

    • d) 2014

  2. With whom did Kailash Satyarthi share the Nobel Peace Prize?

    • a) Abhijit Banerjee

    • b) Malala Yousafzai

    • c) Barack Obama

    • d) Kofi Annan

  3. Where was Kailash Satyarthi born?

    • a) Rajasthan

    • b) Uttar Pradesh

    • c) Madhya Pradesh

    • d) Punjab

  4. What did Kailash Satyarthi study in college?

    • a) Mechanical Engineering

    • b) Civil Engineering

    • c) Electrical Engineering

    • d) Computer Science

  5. What is the name of the non-profit organization founded by Kailash Satyarthi?

    • a) Save the Children

    • b) Child Rights and You

    • c) Bachpan Bachao Andolan

    • d) Pratham

  6. Why did Kailash Satyarthi quit his job as an engineer?

    • a) To start his own business

    • b) To study further

    • c) To travel the world

    • d) To focus on his mission to fight for children's rights

  7. What was Kailash Satyarthi's first initiative as a child to help poor children?

    • a) Giving them money

    • b) Giving them food

    • c) Creating a book bank

    • d) Giving them clothes

  8. What did Kailash Satyarthi witness on his first day of school that impacted him deeply?

    • a) A child working as a shoeshine boy

    • b) A child begging on the streets

    • c) A child selling newspapers

    • d) A child cleaning cars

  9. Where did Kailash Satyarthi attend high school?

    • a) Government Boys' Higher Secondary School in Vidisha

    • b) St. Xavier's School

    • c) Delhi Public School

    • d) Kendriya Vidyalaya

  10. In which year did Kailash Satyarthi found the Bachpan Bachao Andolan?

    • a) 1980

    • b) 1985

    • c) 1990

    • d) 2000

  11. What did Kailash Satyarthi emphasize in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech?

    • a) Economic growth

    • b) Technological advancements

    • c) The plight of exploited children

    • d) Political stability

  12. What is the single aim of Kailash Satyarthi's life?

    • a) To be rich and famous

    • b) To ensure every child is free and has the right to dream

    • c) To travel the world

    • d) To write books

  13. What was Seema doing when her father mentioned the article about Kailash Satyarthi?

    • a) Watching TV

    • b) Doing her homework

    • c) Reading a storybook

    • d) Playing with her friends

  14. How did Seema's father describe Kailash Satyarthi's work in the newspaper?

    • a) As a business venture

    • b) As a mission for children's rights

    • c) As a political campaign

    • d) As a scientific research project

  15. What did Seema decide to do after reading about Kailash Satyarthi?

    • a) Donate her old school books for the education of poor children

    • b) Start a new hobby

    • c) Write a storybook

    • d) Travel with her family

  16. Who did Kailash Satyarthi say he represented in his Nobel Peace Prize speech?

    • a) Politicians

    • b) Businessmen

    • c) Children

    • d) Scientists

  17. Which phrase did Kailash Satyarthi use to describe the children he represents?

    • a) The future leaders

    • b) The sound of silence, the cry of innocence, and the face of invisibility

    • c) The hope of tomorrow

    • d) The builders of the nation

  18. What did Kailash Satyarthi's father say about their birth when asked why his son did not go to school?

    • a) "You're born to go to school, and we're born to work."

    • b) "We cannot afford school."

    • c) "School is not important."

    • d) "He does not like school."

  19. What type of violence did Kailash Satyarthi refer to in his speech?

    • a) Physical violence

    • b) Denying the dreams of children

    • c) Economic violence

    • d) Political violence

  20. Who is Seema?

    • a) Kailash Satyarthi's daughter

    • b) The narrator of the story

    • c) A character in the story who learns about Kailash Satyarthi

    • d) A teacher discussing famous Nobel laureates

Former US President greets a young girl and Kailash Satyarthi looks on.

Here are the main questions without the options along with their answers

  1. When did Kailash Satyarthi win the Nobel Peace Prize?

    • 2014

  2. With whom did Kailash Satyarthi share the Nobel Peace Prize?

    • Malala Yousafzai

  3. Where was Kailash Satyarthi born?

    • Madhya Pradesh

  4. What did Kailash Satyarthi study in college?

    • Electrical Engineering

  5. What is the name of the non-profit organization founded by Kailash Satyarthi?

    • Bachpan Bachao Andolan

  6. Why did Kailash Satyarthi quit his job as an engineer?

    • To focus on his mission to fight for children's rights

  7. What was Kailash Satyarthi's first initiative as a child to help poor children?

    • Creating a book bank

  8. What did Kailash Satyarthi witness on his first day of school that impacted him deeply?

    • A child working as a shoeshine boy

  9. Where did Kailash Satyarthi attend high school?

    • Government Boys' Higher Secondary School in Vidisha

  10. In which year did Kailash Satyarthi found the Bachpan Bachao Andolan?

    • 1980

  11. What did Kailash Satyarthi emphasize in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech?

    • The plight of exploited children

  12. What is the single aim of Kailash Satyarthi's life?

    • To ensure every child is free and has the right to dream

  13. What was Seema doing when her father mentioned the article about Kailash Satyarthi?

    • Reading a storybook

  14. How did Seema's father describe Kailash Satyarthi's work in the newspaper?

    • As a mission for children's rights

  15. What did Seema decide to do after reading about Kailash Satyarthi?

    • Donate her old school books for the education of poor children

  16. Who did Kailash Satyarthi say he represented in his Nobel Peace Prize speech?

    • Children

  17. Which phrase did Kailash Satyarthi use to describe the children he represents?

    • The sound of silence, the cry of innocence, and the face of invisibility

  18. What did Kailash Satyarthi's father say about their birth when asked why his son did not go to school?

    • "You're born to go to school, and we're born to work."

  19. What type of violence did Kailash Satyarthi refer to in his speech?

    • Denying the dreams of children

  20. Who is Seema?

    • A character in the story who learns about Kailash Satyarthi

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