India Vs Pakistan: Warring Neighbors Share Peace Nobel!

If you feel angry, disgusted, exasperated, and indulge in a spirit of jingoism at the repeated and persistent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LOC) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir you rightfully have a bewildered look of amusement and hope at the unique happening on Friday, the 10^th of October, 2014. While you relish and celebrate the news that took you unawares you still wonder how. You know little about one and less about the other. The only conclusion you finally arrive at is the perfect timing of this wonderful news.

Child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi from India and child rights plus women’s education campaigner Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan have been jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on that historic day. The 60-year-old Indian has been fighting relentlessly for freeing children from the slavery of child labor, trafficking and other traps for the last three decades and the 17-year-old Pakistani school-girl has been campaigning for right to education and women empowerment since she was just eleven. The Indian has been a silent crusader and is little known in the country till yesterday afternoon. The Pakistani had hit the headlines worldwide when she got a bullet in the head from the dreaded Taliban in October, 2012 and survived. The Nobel committee has been forthright in selecting an Indian and a Pakistani for the Peace Prize saying that they are recognizing the dedicated struggle of both for a noble cause. The Committee finds it a significant point that a Hindu and a Muslim from two conflicting neighboring countries dedicate themselves for a common struggle. The perfect timing could just be coincidental at this juncture when Pakistan continues its unprovoked firing across the LOC. Even after the unique achievement yesterday the neighboring country kept up with its ceasefire violations today.

Kailash Satyarthi thanked the Nobel committee for recognizing the need for freeing millions of children from modern slavery and dedicated the award for the cause. He also hoped to join Malala Yousafzai to carry the movement forward. Malala while expressing her gratitude to the Nobel committee said that India and Pakistan should focus on peace and development and has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief to be present when both of them formally receive the award.

India has produced a Nobel laureate for Peace for the second time. Pakistan has also proved that it is capable of having a Nobel laureate for Peace too. Then Pakistan must understand that it is inherently capable of achieving peace with its neighbor who has consistently showed generosity and tolerance after every outrage over the years.

Why not give Peace a second chance? At this wonderfully poignant and fulfilling moment!

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