GITAM Deemed to be University honored Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi with GITAM Foundation Award-2022 here on Saturday during GITAM Foundation Day Celebrations. GITAM President M.Sribharath presented the award to Kailash Satyarthi with a plaque and one million rupees as prize money in recognition of his services to humanity particularly working against child labor. 

While addressing the gathering Kailash Satyarthi said that human values and compassion to make a better world for the future and India must take a lead to promote the globalization of compassion. He observed that the covid pandemic has resulted in economic insecurity in households and reduced employment opportunities, especially for marginalized communities. As a result child marriages, child sexual abuse, child trafficking, child pornography and child labor rate increased in India, he added. 

The Nobel Peace Prize Winner lamented that technology is being misused by traffickers as well as organized criminals to use children in pornography and other kinds of sexual abuses during the pandemic. He said that in addition to poverty, global warming, and fuel crisis even Russia and Ukraine war impacted children globally by way of poverty. He mentioned that he initiated a campaign for the formation of a Global Social Protection Fund and taking the support of noble laureates, world leaders, presidents, and prime ministers. He pointed out that mere 53 billion US dollars per annum equivalent to 10 days of military spending would ensure all children in all countries benefit from social protection. Finally, he advised the teaching and student community to build a knowledge society with human values to uplift their fellow citizens with compassion. 

GITAM President M.Sribharath briefed the vision of GITAM and mentioned that the university is encouraging women leaders to reach the goals. GITAM Deemed to be University Vice-Chancellor Prof.Dayananda Siddavattam presented the university annual report. GITAM Vice-President Prof.M.Gangadhra Rao, Campus life Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof.Y.Gowtham Rao, Registrar Prof.D.Gunasekharan and others participated in the celebrations.