The Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 went to Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai. They have repeatedly put the focus on the plight of children across the world. Millions of children live in appalling conditions and are subject to economic and social exploitation. About 150 million children the world over perform child labour and 2,50, 000 are child soldiers. Terror overhangs them all. Satyarthi and Malala want a global policy protecting the rights and interests of children. Children in South Asia are most depressed. Their education is neglected as they do not have a role in vote bank politics. In Pakistan, they are out of the orbit of military interests. Satyarthi has pointed out that global military spending for a week can educate the children of the world. Malala who braved Taliban bullets in Pakistan is a champion of children’s education, especially of the girl child. Both Nobel laureates maintain that their governments should jointly promote children’s welfare.
India and Pakistan clash across the LoC which does no good to their people. New Delhi and Islamabad would do well to join hands to provide for children’s empowerment in both countries. Cooperation in the sphere of child welfare can vastly improve the bilateral relationship. Malala Yousafzai has a message also for US President Barack Obama. Obama has completed the 400th drone strike in Pakistan. Malala would rather Obama sent books to her country. The Nobel Peace Prize is often awarded to people who hardly deserve it. Satyarthi and Yousafzai have definitely added to the value of the award.
