Peacemaker says no to child labour

International Children's Peace prize winner Om Prakash Gurjar wants to become a social activist to work for the elimination of child labour in the country.

International Children's Peace prize winner Om Prakash Gurjar wants to become a social activist to work for the elimination of child labour in the country.

"Earlier, I dreamt of becoming a District Collector, but after winning the award, I would like to work as a social activist to eliminate social evils, especially child labour," Gurjar, who hails from Alwar district in Rajasthan, said on Thursday.

He expressed regret that the girls in rural areas were still not being admitted to schools by their parents. Gurjar had received the prize from former South African president FW de Klerk at a ceremony at Amsterdam on November 19.

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The award carried $1,00,000 as prize money and a memento. The International Children's Peace Prize is awarded annually to youth who have made significant contribution in advocating children's rights and improving the situation of vulnerable groups such as orphans, child labourers and children with HIV/AIDS.