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.

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.

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

We talk of globalization, and how much money is needed for the education of children in the world, their liberation and rehabilitation just $9 billion which is four days of military expense. Just four days. Nine billion dollars is nothing. But what Americans spent on ice cream just 20 percent of this. One fifth of what you spend on ice creams could bring the children out of the clutches of their masters and put them to school.

There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our 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 am really honoured but if the prize had gone to Mahatma Gandhi before me I would have been more honoured