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

My philosophy is that I am a friend of the children. I don't think anyone should see them as pitiable subjects or charity. That is old people's rhetoric. People often relate childish behaviour to stupidity or foolishness. This mindset needs to change. I want to level the playing field where I can learn from the children. Something I can learn from children is transparency. They are innocent, straightforward, and have no biases. I relate children to simplicity and I think that my friendship with children has a much deeper meaning than others.

We adults, our policies, our ways of governance, are responsible for poverty, not the children.

For centuries, we were taught that anger is bad. Our parents, teachers, priests, everyone taught us how to control and suppress our anger. But I ask: why can't we convert our anger for the larger good of society?

I refuse to accept that the world is so poor, when just one week of global spending on armies is enough to bring all of our children into classrooms.

A lot of work still remains but I will see the end of child labor in my lifetime.

During the past few years North East India has emerged as one of the biggest destinations for child trafficking.