Satyarthi asks IIT students to participate in childrens' cause

Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi on Friday urged IIT students to be a part of his '100 million for 100 million' campaign and bring a change in the lives of underprivileged children.

Satyarthi launched the '100 million for 100 million' campaign this year to bring together 100 million youths who could help 100 million underprivileged children lead normal lives. He said that he expects to bring together 100 million volunteers by the end of this year.

"If you feel that there's something special in you then be a part of those 100 million youths and do something for the lives of the other 100 million," the 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan' founder said addressing the students of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) at their campus.

"You can raise you voice against injustice and slavery. India spends only four per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for people under 18. You can write a petition to the government and ask them to increase this percentage to at least 10 per cent," he said.

The event-- Youth Leadership for Change-- was organised by the Department of Management Studies (DMS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of IIT-D.

Satyarthi said that three primary obstacles in the progress of children here are inclusion, equity, and quality in education, and that an "honest political will is required to address these issues".

He also said that he is trying to organise a first ever summit of Nobel laureates from across all fields to discuss the issues and that 44 of them have already supported the idea.

"The world lacks moral power and this convergence of laurates will give a platform for that moral power to be seen by others," he added.

This summit of laureates will take place at Rashtrapati Bhawan on December 10 and 11.

--IANS

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