Indian boy wins world peace prize [View All]

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Indian boy wins world peace prize

A 14-year-old Indian boy has been awarded the International Children's Peace Prize for leading a campaign against child labour and child slavery.

Om Prakash was forced to work as a farm labourer for three years.

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After he was rescued, Om campaigned for free education in his native Rajastan. He then helped to set up a network of what are known as "child friendly villages".

These are places where children's rights are respected and child labourers are not allowed.

Om also worked to ensure children are given birth certificates. He says such registration is the first step towards enshrining children's rights, proving their age, and helping to protect them from slavery, trafficking, forced marriage or serving as a child soldiers.

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Speaking through an interpreter, Om reminded adults that they have a duty to listen to children.

"This is our right - that they have to listen. This is children's rights. And if they are not abiding with that right, we will work harder to make them hear."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6164134.stm