JAIPUR: Bal Ashram of Bachpan Bachao Andolan at Virat Nagar in Jaipur witnessed one of the most memorable evenings on Wednesday since its inception. Celebrations that kicked off from morning reached its zenith when its founder and Nobel peace prize winner Kailash Satyarthi received the award.

The ashram was decorated with flowers and light, while the children were all decked up and were excitedly waited for the proud moment when Satyarthi's name was announced. As soon as he received the Nobel peace prize, everybody cheered with loud applause. The event was later celebrated by a cake cutting ceremony.

"It is a very exciting moment for each one of us. He spoke from his heart and tears rolled from the kids' eyes," said Nipendra Singh, manager at Bal Ashram. "The kids had been waiting for this moment the day Satyarthi's name was announced," he added. Not just Satyarthi, Malala Yousafzai also received the same applause. "Most children could relate to her. They too suffered a great deal to get what they believe is their right" added Singh.

Twenty children from the Ashram received a special invitation from the Norwegian embassy. They witnessed live telecast among other dignitaries and the ambassador in New Delhi.

The only Ashram of Bachpan Bachao Andolan in the country was set up in 1997 and has saved lives of more than 2,000 children so far. Satyarthi started this place for rescued child labourers so that they can be better citizens and can earn livelihoods on their own and not as labourers.

People from nearby villages also gathered in the ashram. Their knowledge on Nobel peace prize would perhaps beat any other common man from cities. "From the day Nobel peace prize was announced, everyone is talking about it. We are proud of Kailashji. It is not just the children of the ashram that are benefited but even our children get moral education here," said Man Singh, resident of Virat Nagar.

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