Nobel Peace Prize dedicated to country, will continue my fight: Kailash Satyarthi

New Delhi, Oct 10: Elated over winning the Nobel Peace prize, renowned child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi today dedicated the coveted award to people of India and vowed to work with renewed vigour against exploitation of children and to ensure their welfare.

In his first reaction, 60-year-old Satyarthi, who has been leading Bachpan Bachao Andolan in his relentless crusade for child rights, thanked the Nobel Committee for recognising the plight of millions of children and said the award will help bring global focus on the issue.

Satyarthi, who is an avid follower of Gandhian philosophy, however, said he would have been much more happy if the award had gone to the father of the nation.

"I am thankful to Nobel committee for recognising the plight of millions of children who are suffering in this modern age. It is a huge honour for me," Satyarthi, who became the second Indian to win the award after Mother Teresa, told PTI.

"I was born after the death of Mahatma Gandhi. If the prize had gone to Mahatma Gandhi before me I would have been more honoured. I am really honoured. This award is for all the citizens of the country," he said.

Girls education rights activist Malala Yousafzai and Satyarthi have been named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Resolving to continue his fight to protect child rights in India, Satyarthi, whose organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan, has been in the forefront of rescuing children from forced labour and trafficking, said he was happy that the issue has received global attention.

"This is not about simply poverty and rights of children. It is more than that. The fight has to continue. We are happy that the issue has been recognised globally now. I will continue my work," he said.

PTI