I am really honoured but if the prize had gone to Mahatma Gandhi before me I would have been more honoured

I think of it all as a test. This is a moral examination that one has to pass... to stand up against such social evils.

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

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

There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children.

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.

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?