Tuesday 14 October 2014

Desideratum of Nobel Peace Prize 2014


The Oriental East was appropriated with the communiqué of fraternity and was honoured with a toast of prestigious Noble Prize for peace for the year 2014 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The biggest honour has been accorded on the individuals of two warring countries for their exceptionally motivating struggle for protection of human rights of children and youth. Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian and Malala Yousafzay a Pakistani jointly receive the honours on December 10th. The announcement of the esteemed peace prize by the Nobel Committee came after 9 days of uninterrupted shelling across the international border between the countries. The encapsulated message urged for fraternity between nations. It also stressed the need for a Hindu, a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani to join in common struggle against education and extremism.

Malala, a Pakistani teenager has been a global icon for her vociferous campaign of education for girls and women. She gained recognition for her advocacy in 2012, when she was shot by Talibans who feared her massive campaign for education for girls in Pakistan might spark a tirade. She stirred up World’s attention by working under dangerous circumstances. Since then she went on to give inspirational speeches in the UN and has been listed as “The 100 most influential people in the World” by the TIME magazine and has been a strong contender for the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013 itself. Her work has been admired world over and her candidature has been whole heartedly accepted for the prize baring few overtones who opined that she was too young for the coveted honour.’

Kailash Satyarthi,( now aged 60),  gave up lucrative career as an engineer adopted Gandhian methods and worked tirelessly in pursuit of freeing children from slavery. His efforts resulted in release of 82,000 bonded children from dungeons of work houses and industries. Thus enabling thousands of children to relive their childhood and ensured right for quality education. Under the banner of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), founded by him, he rescued victims of human trafficking, slavery and child labour and reintegrated them into society. Known to keep a low profile and media shy, he planned and executed several raids with his accomplices to free children from trafficking. In 1990, he led a Global March Against Child Labour to raise awareness about the millions of children worldwide who are abused.  Having worked in 140 countries, he championed for the cause of better childhood and quality education. During his ostensible struggle against exploitation of children he received several death threats and lost two of his colleagues. Revered as a saviour by thousands of rescued children, Kailash Satyarthi rightfully deserves the highest honour.

While the unprecedented firing speaks volumes of the tyranny of post partition tales, the tales of courage and determination of these Nobel laureates rekindled a new hope for reclamation of peace in South Asian region. Both the countries armed against each other for the past 67 years are reeling under the ire of inherited hatreds.  The Nobel Committee citation drew close attention to the grievous plight of the children and young in the both countries by recognising the exemplary services of these individuals. With a message to look beyond the historical hatreds and to wage a common struggle to ameliorate the conditions of the hapless Children and youth.

Time has now come to rewrite the history of the subcontinent bloodied with wars and work towards betterment of the society. Europe in a span of half-century with sustained efforts has moved away from the long drawn history of militaristic hatred and surged ahead towards economic development within frame work of common market. The Nobel Committee has intently deliberated on the perilous state of human affairs in both nations with regards to rights of Children and education for girls and young. It would be better if both nations can engage in fighting these inherent deficiencies in their societies to evolve into better nations. Both Indian and Pakistani demographics are dominated by youth. Taking a cue from this strategic message conveyed by the West, instead of waging wars for misconstrued hatreds, nations must bolster efforts in lifting their economies.
 
 
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