Why I didn’t want Malala to win the Nobel Prize.
by Dr. K. Beena
I know this might sound a bit odd and I feel a bit awkward too since I don’t think anyone around me thinks so. No I have nothing against the child. Actually it’s very touching to see her talk with all the sincerity and nobleness that has endeared her to all and sundry. But I can’t but help feel a bit sad for a childhood burdened by all our expectations.
Having a daughter of the same age, I would wish all kids a happy and carefree life; one where they have the freedom to do what they like. Its understandable that she wants to fight for the right to education for all girls. And it is very heartening to see her enthusiasm.
Sometime back, there was a lot of discussion in the media with a lot of people commenting on just how disappointed they were with Malala.
I want to ask these people, ‘Guys, what were you doing when you were 16?’ Leading your own selfish lives, no doubt. Malala is an exceptional kid, she has suffered and survived. But is it fair to expect her to carry the burden of all our expectations?
Hasn’t she suffered enough? Isn’t it enough for a child to be under the shadow of fear (even though she disarmingly smiles the fears away) from a fanatical tribe who send shivers down our spine with their treacherous ways and ruthless acts. Doesn’t she deserve a normal life? She doesn’t owe us anything. It is we who owe her a safe future.
This is why I didn’t want Malala to win the Nobel prize. It’s not that she doesn’t deserve it. (as someone tweeted the other day, Malala doesn’t need Nobel. Nobel needs Malala) I wish her a happy carefree life like any other normal kid her age without the burden of our expectations, for her childhood seems to be slipping away from her, fast.
by Dr. K. Beena
I know this might sound a bit odd and I feel a bit awkward too since I don’t think anyone around me thinks so. No I have nothing against the child. Actually it’s very touching to see her talk with all the sincerity and nobleness that has endeared her to all and sundry. But I can’t but help feel a bit sad for a childhood burdened by all our expectations.
Having a daughter of the same age, I would wish all kids a happy and carefree life; one where they have the freedom to do what they like. Its understandable that she wants to fight for the right to education for all girls. And it is very heartening to see her enthusiasm.
Sometime back, there was a lot of discussion in the media with a lot of people commenting on just how disappointed they were with Malala.
I want to ask these people, ‘Guys, what were you doing when you were 16?’ Leading your own selfish lives, no doubt. Malala is an exceptional kid, she has suffered and survived. But is it fair to expect her to carry the burden of all our expectations?
Hasn’t she suffered enough? Isn’t it enough for a child to be under the shadow of fear (even though she disarmingly smiles the fears away) from a fanatical tribe who send shivers down our spine with their treacherous ways and ruthless acts. Doesn’t she deserve a normal life? She doesn’t owe us anything. It is we who owe her a safe future.
This is why I didn’t want Malala to win the Nobel prize. It’s not that she doesn’t deserve it. (as someone tweeted the other day, Malala doesn’t need Nobel. Nobel needs Malala) I wish her a happy carefree life like any other normal kid her age without the burden of our expectations, for her childhood seems to be slipping away from her, fast.
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