Compassion Is the Oxygen of Humanity: Kailash Satyarthi

Kailash Satyarthi, the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Founder of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, has dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of children’s rights and the eradication of child labour. Born in 1954 in Madhya Pradesh, India, he abandoned a promising career as an electrical engineer to rescue children from forced labour, exploitation, and trafficking. In 1980, he founded Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), which has liberated over 100,000 children and empowered them through education and vocational training.

At the core of Satyarthi’s activism lies his unwavering belief in global compassion—the idea that human dignity and justice must transcend borders, nationalities, and races. He envisions a world where every child can learn, grow, and dream without the shackles of exploitation. His 100 Million for 100 Million campaign mobilizes youth worldwide to advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable.

Satyarthi’s influence extends far beyond India. He has been instrumental in shaping global policies against child labour, actively contributing to key conventions at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations. His tireless advocacy played a pivotal role in the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, which calls for the eradication of child labour and modern slavery. A staunch Gandhian, he champions nonviolent activism, civil disobedience, and collective action as catalysts for systemic change. His life’s mission exemplifies the power of moral courage, making him a beacon of hope for millions of children worldwide.

During the launch of his autobiography Diyasalai, published by Rajkamal Prakashan and unveiled by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, The Interview World had the privilege of speaking with him. In an insightful conversation, Satyarthi revealed the inspiration behind Diyasalai and how it connects with today’s most pressing global challenges. He underscored the critical gaps in our collective efforts to tackle these crises and outlined the most effective solutions to address them. Above all, he emphasized how compassion, when harnessed as a force for change, can resolve the world’s most urgent issues.

Here are the key takeaways from this compelling discussion.

Q: What inspired you to write Diyasalai, and what key experiences or insights shaped your journey in bringing this autobiography to life?

A: The name Diyasalai (matchstick) has been discussed, but let me share the true inspiration behind it. I grew up in a home without electricity, in a neighbourhood where darkness ruled the nights. My brother and I studied under the dim glow of a lantern, which consumed a significant amount of oil.

To conserve fuel, we devised a solution. When medicine bottles emptied, we punctured their metal caps, filled them with kerosene, and burned them just enough to provide light—carefully rationing the oil to make it last. But every time we lit the lamp, we needed a matchstick. The flame itself flickered for only a moment, yet a single spark could ignite multiple lanterns.

That spark became our guiding light, fuelling our efforts and illuminating our path. This is the essence of Diyasalai. The rest of its story unfolds in my book—I’ll leave it for you to discover.

Q: How does Diyasalai connect with the pressing issues facing the world today, and in your view, what crucial aspect is missing from our collective efforts to tackle these challenges?

A: The world we live in today is wealthier than ever. Information, data, and technology have advanced at an unprecedented pace. Life moves faster, yet the time we spend together has dwindled. Every moment is measured in speed—the speed of our phones, our internet, our computers. If we lose even a fraction of a second, frustration sets in. Impatience consumes us.

Yet, despite all this progress, I have spent the last 30–35 years working in nearly 150 countries—among the most marginalized children and communities. And with deep regret, I must say that despite our relentless advancements, the world’s greatest challenges remain unsolved. Wars rage on. Unemployment, poverty, environmental destruction, inequality, and racial discrimination persist. Call them what you will—these problems remain unresolved. People with integrity and good intentions search for solutions, but something is fundamentally wrong. Every proposed fix spawns new problems. Efforts to end loneliness create medicines, only for their side effects to trigger new crises—depression, anxiety, and more. Solutions slip further away.

After years of reflection, I have come to a stark realization. The root cause of this failure lies in the widening gap between those who suffer and those who claim to offer solutions. The decision-makers, the problem-solvers, and the so-called experts remain increasingly disconnected from the realities of the people they seek to help. This growing divide has weakened political will and diluted accountability. Laws multiply, but moral responsibility erodes. Research flourishes, books are published, and policies emerge, yet the human connection—the moral compass guiding true change—fades.

And so, as a society, we continue down a perilous path. The force driving us forward is not unity, not collective progress, but ruthless competition. The mantra remains the same—push others back to get ahead.

Q: In your view, what is the most effective solution to address these escalating challenges?

A: Thousands of years ago, a Vedic sage proclaimed, “Come along. No one should be left behind.” Yet today, we are doing the opposite—racing ahead while pushing others back. This mindset permeates every aspect of our lives, from education to careers, shaping the way the entire world operates. One nation advances only by holding another back. This is more than just a political or economic reality—it is a deep-seated cultural influence.

Beyond this, our approach to life has become purely transactional. Every action is measured by its return. If we invest money, what do we gain? If we spend time, what is the reward? If we smile, what do we receive in return? Even a handshake is weighed for its benefit. This relentless calculation is eroding something fundamental within us.

I reflected deeply on this and recognized a profound disconnect. What is missing? The very essence of every spiritual tradition—compassion. Every religion was born from a response to injustice, suffering, and societal decay. Whenever the world witnessed oppression or mass destruction, it was not through commandments or edicts that change occurred. Instead, individuals led by example, embodying their beliefs in action.

Compassion, not mere instruction, drove them. Dharma shaped them. Social transformation defined them. At the core of every great movement—of every true change—lies compassion. It is the foundation upon which civilizations must stand.

Q: How can compassion be harnessed as a powerful tool to address and resolve the world’s pressing challenges?

A: The next chapter of the soul’s journey must be written with the ink of compassion. Not just the compassion within me, but the innate, universal compassion that science now recognizes as a psychological, neurological, and biological reality. We all possess it, yet we confine it within the narrow walls of our families—our children, spouses, relatives, and a handful of friends. The challenge is to expand this circle. The more we widen the embrace of compassion, the more we illuminate the world with an unshakable light.

This is not a solitary mission. It demands collective action. You will understand this as you read this book. At 70, when I declared my vision for a new global movement, many of my closest friends—leaders, presidents, prime ministers, and Nobel laureates—cautioned me. “Kailash, why take such a risk? Continue your work for children. We stand with you.” But I saw a deeper crisis—a society gasping for oxygen.

Compassion is not a fragrance to be savoured. It is oxygen. When it dwindles, so does humanity. Justice erodes. Responsibility weakens. Nations and societies grow indifferent. We lose the ability to truly feel another’s pain, struggle, or suffering. A world without compassion breeds isolation and apathy.

But we were not born to lament problems. We were born to solve them. Our heritage is not one of helplessness, but of resilience. For thousands of years, India has shown the world that every problem has a solution. The culture of solutions is in our soil, our water, our air.

I am ready. And I believe you are too. This is the moment. This is the land. We are the people who will save the world—through compassion. If India does not lead this movement, no one will. If we do not act now, when the world is trembling, we may never act at all. So, I invite you to be part of this story. Not as martyrs, but as leaders. In my next autobiography, I will include your faces—not in sorrow, but in triumph. Smiling children, empowered sisters, uplifted brothers, and those once forgotten will now lead this narrative. Through them, through us, compassion will become a global movement.