November

education in the hearts and souls of
thousands of youth committed to wipe
out the scourge of slavery and ignorance
from the face of mankind. Satyarthi, started
out with a small group of like-minded
individuals raising the issue of child labour
which was unacknowledged by Indian
legislation, in public discourse and by the
media. Back then, fighting child labour was
not only a seemingly insurmountable task
and also an extremely dangerous endeavor.
Though, while eradicating child labour
remains one of the biggest challenges for
India, BBA has been successful in changing
the fate of over 82,000 children rescued
from exploitation, in achieving important
anti-child labour and anti-trafficking laws,
and in raising awareness among the public.
Beginning its operation in 1980, Satyarthi
ignited a mass movement to create a child
friendly society where all children are free
from exclusion and exploitation and receive
free quality education. The movement
engaged itself in identifying, liberating,
rehabilitating and educating children in
servitude through direct intervention,
community participation, partnerships
and coalitions, promoting ethics in trade,
unionizing workers, running campaigns
(on issues, such as education, trafficking,
forced labour, decent work, building child
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“ I am thankful to the Nobel committee
for recognising the plight of
millions of children who are suffering
in this modern age. It is a huge
honour for me. 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. This award is for all the
citizens of the country. 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. Child labour perpetuates
poverty, unemployment, illiteracy,
population growth and other social
problems.”
- Kailash Satyarthi
friendly villages) and mobilizing the masses
on a common action.
BBA has triggered a ripple effect in India
and in international community and with
the tide turning in favour of children, it
has brought about warmth to the lives of
unprivileged children.
BBA started raid and rescue operations
to free child workers from unacceptable
conditions which have always been at
the heart of Satyarthi’s work. Early efforts
have mainly been directed at children
exploited in brick kilns, stone quarries and
the carpet industry, though, today, BBA
rescue operations take place in many more
industries. An important milestone for
Satyarthi was opening of Mukti Ahsram
in 1990, which has been the first transit
rehabilitation center for bonded child
labourers. The short stay home, situated
in the outskirts of Delhi, provides children
rescued in the Delhi-area with a first safe
haven from which to restore trust in their
environment and reconnect with their
parents. In 1997, BBA opened Bal Ashram
in Rajasthan, which provides a long-term
solution to former child labourers.
In 1993, BBA initiated the first campaign
in form of a march against child labour.
The 2000 km Bihar-Delhi march raised
awareness on the issue of child labour in the
carpet industry. Other marches followed,
with the historic Global March Against
Child Labour in 1998 being the most
impressive up to date. The 80 000 km long
physical march crossed 103 countries and
led to a high level of participation from
the masses as well as the support of world
leaders.
The development of the model of Bal Mitra
Gram (Child Friendly Villages) in 2001
is also an example for BBA’s innovative