Nobel Peace prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi has embarked on a Bharat Yatra to fight child abuse. The yatra started from Kanyakumari and will cover 11,000 km across 22 states as a war against abuse and exploitation of children. It will culminate in a mammoth rally in New Delhi on Oct 16.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered a rousing reception to Kailash Satyarthi and assured all support to him from the state government. He also thanked him for including Kerala in the yatra.

The Kerala CM hoped that the Bharat Yatra will prove to be a turning point to put an end to child abuse. He stressed that children should be made aware of the difference between good touch and bad touch at an early age. He warned of strict action against paedophiles and their supporters in social media.

The CM asserted that a fearless childhood and adolescence will enable youth to work towards development and nation building. He said that it was heartening to see Satyarthi’s passion and struggle for the safety and upliftment of children even after he has achieved international acclaim as a Nobel peace laureate in 2014.

Kailash Satyarthi said that his India resides in its children and that he is determined to fight the epidemic of child abuse. He added that a child knows no boundaries and irrespective of all geographical boundaries, the children should be protected ensuring their joy, freedom and dignity of life.