Why I didn’t want Malala to win the Nobel Prize.

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.

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whose life is it anyway

The number of motorists in kerala who wear helmets has increased but the careless way in which this is worn leaves much to be desired.The strap is left open. What is the point in wearing a helmet like that! It could cause more injury that way. At the time of accident this would be the first thing to fly off leaving the head unprotected and it could create problems if it was left dangling, causing injury to the neck tissue afterwards. RTAs (road trafic accidents ) are such a common occurence on the Indian roads that it should not need any persuasion by any law for a citizen to realize what was in his best interests. We Indians are careless when it comes to our own safety. We are quick to blame our neighbour if his coconut falls on our roofs saying that this is bad for our general safety but we will not tighten that strap come what may when we are faced with far greater danger on our roads.

Few days back, I just casually counted the number of people who had tied the helmet's strap properly. Less than three in ten did so. I was shocked. Head injury is such a final thing and so easily prevented! Its a shame that awareness regarding road safety is so hard to come by in India.