A noble message to India, Pakistan

New Delhi: The irony could not have been more poignant and the contrast could not have been starker. She is a 17-year-old global icon and he is a little-known 60-year-old social activist.

She is a Muslim from Pakistan, and he is a Hindu from India. Two countries with a shared ancient civilisation constantly at each other’s throat. But as Malala Yusufzai and 60 year old Kailash Satyarthi were honoured by the Nobel Peace prize committee as the joint winners of the 2014 prize there was a wider global message for peace. Till Thursday, there was intense cross border firing and thousands of innocent civilians on both sides of the divide had to flee their homes to avoid getting trapped in the cross-fire emerging from the worst clash in the decade. Fire-spitting warning emerged from leaders on both the sides, and there was hardly any indication of de-escalation. But surprisingly, there was some decline in the violence, and then came the Nobel announcement. It was greeted with applause on both the sides with the neighbouring prime ministers welcoming the shared honour. Prime Minister Modi said: “Congratulations to Shri Kailash Satyarthi on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The entire nation is proud of his momentous achievement. Shri Kailash Satyarthi has devoted his life to a cause that is extremely relevant to entire humankind. I salute his determined efforts.” He also congratulated Malala. On the other side, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: “"She is the pride of Pakistan. She has made her countrymen proud. Her achievement is unparallelled and unequalled. Girls and boys of the world should take lead from her struggle and commitment."

In its official press release, the Nobel committee said: The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism”. Its chairman Thorbjorn Jagland, added: "Children must go to school, not be financially exploited.”