KBC 9: Revealed! The story behind Kailash Satyarthi's surname

Mumbai : Child rights activist and Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and his wife Sumedha participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) 9 as the special guests for the grand finale episode. On the show, Mr Satyarthi revealed the story behind change in his surname, which was originally 'Sharma'.

In 1969, Kailash and his friends arranged for funds to organise cooking by untouchables in a park, the initiative got appraisal from many politicians but none of the leaders came to be a part of it. The irked Kailash ate food with them after waiting the whole day till 10 PM.

“My friends and I went to invite leaders but everyone gave one or the other excuse. I realised the hypocrisy and hollowness behind their words. I stood in the park behind the Mahatma Gandhi statue and was filled with anger,” Kailash said.

But then, since he had Sharma as his surname, family started fearing about the society and also they were threatened to be outcasted from the community. At the age of 15, Kailash was made to sleep in a separate room and was asked to perform rituals to purify himself.

Post this incident, Kailash decided to free himself from this barrier and later gave himself 'satyarthi' Surname.

“Some people think I’m a Jain, some think I’m a Brahmin, some think I’m a Dalit. There is no caste barrier,” he said.

Kailash Satyarthi managed to win Rs 50 lakh on the hot seat which he donated to his NGO - Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The episode ended with a brilliant performance by Hindi rock band Indian Ocean.