KP Sharma

Speaking at the inaugural Jigme Singye Wangchuck lecture series yesterday, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi expressed his happiness and gratitude for Bhutan’s success in free education, rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

An Indian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi has dedicated his life to ending child slavery and exploitation worldwide.

In his inaugural lecture, Kailash Satyarthi stressed the importance of instilling compassion through education to create a better world.

Since winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, he has dedicated his life to combating child labour and exploitation globally. He was the eighth Indian to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. He has also received the Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award for his efforts against child labour in South Asia.

According to Kailash Satyarthi, education should be a beacon of wisdom for the future. He said that while the right to education is recognised as a birthright in 155 countries,  many struggle to realise this goal.

He described education as a vital means of delivering justice to deprived and underprivileged children globally, as compassion can be fostered through it.

Kailash Satyarthi commended Bhutan for its commitment to free education and praised His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, for his visionary leadership and founding the noble philosophy of GNH.

He hailed the Fourth Druk Gyalpo as a model leader, stating that His Majesty practices what he preaches—a rare quality among many leaders today.

Highlighting global challenges, Kailash Satyarthi revealed that around 250 million children are denied access to education, and many fall victim to child labour and trafficking.

In addition, he pointed out that 468 million children have been forcibly displaced in conflict zones, losing educational opportunities despite international efforts to provide alternatives.

He said that collective compassion from nations could significantly alleviate these issues.

“The government should invest in education to ensure that the future is safe in the hands of educated individuals,” he added.

Acknowledging the evolution of Bhutan’s education sector, he credited successive monarchs and governments for their contributions and urged the cultivation of a national culture of compassion, encouraging everyone involved in education to embody this value for future generations.

Kailsh Satyarthi cautioned against the risks posed by the digital divide and the influence of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

He warned that such advancements can widen the gap between rich and poor nations and disrupt the learning environment.

He stressed the need for human intervention and regulation to prevent technology from being misused for harmful purposes, such as spreading false propaganda, advertisements, and hate messages, ultimately leading to societal disharmony.

The JSW Lecture Series is a tribute to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, honouring his enduring contributions, wisdom, and selfless service to the nation. It also provides a platform for innovative thinkers from around the world to share ideas and creativity in pursuit of a better future, in line with His Majesty’s vision for Bhutan.