Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi Launches His Autobiography 'Diyasalaai' On Day One Of Jaipur Literature Festival

Satyarthi shared some interesting facts on his extraordinary life dedicated to child reforms at the event.

Jaipur: Nobel laureate and social reformer Kailash Satyarthi launched his autobiography 'Diyasalaai' on day one of Jaipur Literature Festival.

Satyarthi said a poem penned by him at the age of 15 inspired him to become a matchstick instead of candle and incense stick and the desire to kindle a spark of change inspired him to create awareness against child labour. He spoke of his struggles and made the gathering aware of some untouched aspects of his life.

Journey from Kailash Sharma to Satyarthi

Kailash Satyarthi, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, was inspired by father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi since childhood. Born in a Brahmin family, he changed his name from Kailash Sharma to Satyarthi. What led him to change his surname is a tale of inspiration and the determination to fight the evils prevalent in the society. He said most of the people in his village were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's ideals. He said on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), he asked women of the castes called untouchables to cook food and feed those inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's ideals and principles. His initiative was opposed by the society as well as his family. As penance, he was asked to wash the feet of 101 Brahmins and also advised to go to Prayagraj Sangam and take the holy dip. Hurt by the incident, Kailash changed his surname from Sharma to Satyarthi to follow the path of truth.

Handed over Nobel Prize to the President

In the year 2014, Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. He said when he got a chance to meet the then President Dr Pranab Mukherjee after the announcement of the award, he was told that after the Nobel Prize given to Rabindranath Tagore was stolen, no resident Indian had received the honour. The Indians awarded the Nobel Prize belonged to foreign countries. After receiving the Nobel Prize, Satyarthi handed it over to the President to be safeguarded as property of the nation. Satyarthi said if he had kept this award with himself, it would have become the personal property of his family, but now it is the property of the nation and will inspire others to come forward to work against child labour.

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi sharing facts on his life and struggles at Jaipur Literature Festival (ETV Bharat)

'Always wanted a picture with a Nobel laureate'

Satyarthi said he always wished to get his picture clicked with a Nobel Prize winner. He met the Dalai Lama once but did not get the opportunity to get a picture clicked with him. When the Nobel Prize was announced, he received the information through a journalist. While several of his colleagues congratulated him, Satyarthi went to the bathroom and clicked a number of pictures from his mobile in front of the mirror. This is how he fulfilled his wish of getting his photo taken with a Nobel Prize winner.