As news of Bachpan Bachao Andolan activist Kailash Satyarthi getting the Nobel Peace Prize reached his hometown here today, celebrations broke out with people distributing sweets and bursting firecrackers. An atmosphere of celebration and jubilation prevailed at Satyarthi's 'Choti Haveli' residence located at the Kile Andar area in Vidisha town.
An engineer by training, Satyarthi completed his school and college education from Vidisha town which was represented in the lok Sabha by political stalwarts like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ramnath Goenka, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The Bachpan Bachao activist completed his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree from Samrat Ashok Technology Institute (SATI) in Vidisha. Satyarthi's elder brothers namely Jagmohan Sharma who is a medical doctor, Narendra Sharma, late Chandramohan Sharma and his sister leelabai's family still lives in Vidisha.
Elated over his younger brother's achievement, Jagmohan Sharma said, "Kailash has made Vidisha famous all over the world. His relentless efforts resulted in this day". Recalling his crusade against child labour, Jagmohan Sharma said that in 1996-97, Kailash had raided a circus in the town to rescue bonded child labourers including a few kids of Nepali origin. His niece, Anita Choube, who is a professor of chemistry in Bhopal's Government Maharani laxmi Bai (MlB) College, also recalled her uncle's relentless efforts in eradicating child labour from society.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also congratulated Satyarthi for winning the coveted award. Chouhan has expressed happiness and congratulated Kailash Satyarthi on being conferred the prestigious Nobel Prize for Peace. Chouhan said that this is the day of pride for India and specially Madhya Pradesh. Born in Vidisha, Satyarthi has made Madhya Pradesh proud. He is a social worker totally devoted to children's welfare.
Governor Ram Naresh Yadav extended greetings and best wishes to Satyarthi on being selected for the Nobel Prize. Yadav said that it is matter of pride for state and country. As a child rights activists, Satyarthi has been active in campaign against child labour. Through his organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Satyarthi got freed 80 thousand child labourers and assisted them in their rehabilitation and education. The Governor said that every person should come forward for progress of state and country drawing inspiration from Satyarthi.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Minister Rajendra Shukla congratulated Vidisha-born Satyarthi on being conferred Nobel Prize for Peace. In his greeting message, he said that the award is the recognition and respect towards services rendered by Satyarthi with dedication. Shukla described as a major achievement for the country the conferring of Nobel Prize for Peace to Satyarthi. This has made the State proud.