I am positive that I would see the end of child labour around the world in my lifetime, as the poorest of the poor have realised that education is a tool that can empower them.

I refuse to accept that the shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the quest for freedom.

Today it is time for every child to have a right to life, right to freedom, right to health, right to education, safety, the right to dignity, right to equality, and right to peace.

Today, in every wave of every ocean, I see our children playing and dancing. Today, in every plant, tree, and mountain, I see our children growing in freedom.

The biggest challenge or biggest crisis knocking on the doors of humankind is fear and intolerance.

From my own experience, I want to say that you should follow your heart, and the mind will follow you. Believe in yourself, and you will create miracles.

I have been very strongly advocating that poverty must not be used as an excuse to continue child labour. It perpetuates poverty. If children are deprived of education, they remain poor.

The first 'D' is to dream: dream big - not for yourself, but for the country and for the world. The second 'D' is to discover: discover your full potential and the opportunities that surround you; and the third 'D' is to do. 'Do' means to act on your dreams and make best use of the opportunities you have discovered.

I have come here only to share the voices and dreams of our children - because they are all our children.

The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.

Every child matters. If we fail our children, we are bound to fail our present, our future, faith, cultures, and civilisations as well.

I am thankful to the Nobel committee for recognising the plight of millions of children who are suffering in this modern age.

Let us democratise knowledge. Let us universalise justice. Together, let us globalise compassion!

Learning from the experiences of our ancestors, let us together create knowledge for all that benefits all.

For me, peace is a fundamental human right of every child; it is inevitable and divine.

There is a triangular relationship between poverty, child labour and illiteracy who have a cause and consequence relationship. We will have to break this vicious circle.

Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see the end of child labor in my lifetime.