Feeling lazy to get up early in the morning and leave for school and college? Cursing the guy who started the concept of schools and exams? Well!! That’s the difference between us and Malala Yousafzai!! She was shot in the head by the Taliban because she just wanted to go to school like the rest of us. She won the nobel peace prize because that attack never stopped her after that.

Malala Yousafzai, most of us must have heard about her. She was attacked because she raised her voice to fight for her own rights. The Taliban shot her to silence her and her fight. Instead they silenced the fear inside her. Forever.

Even after being shot, being in coma for about a week, learning to walk and talk all over again, moving away from their favorite place, their home, when asked what she would do if she ever met the guy who shot her she replied, “ I won’t do anything to him. I am not even angry at him. If I also attack him then what is the difference between him and me. Instead I’ll tell him the importance of education and ask him to stop misusing the name of religion”

To speak with such maturity is highly commendable. A mere 18 year old to have so much courage to come before the world and talk to people right in their face and tell about her story and not worry about her own life is amazing. Did you know, she met the American president, and told him directly that he should not be sending drones like he is? That takes guts !  Just wonder how many death threats she might be getting from the Taliban each day.

What is even more fascinating is even after doing so much, visiting places, she never stopped going to school. She was in school when the news about her winning the Nobel peace prize reached her. Although she was given the permission to leave, she said she wanted to stay and complete her school day before she can go for any press interviews that followed. Now that is determination.

What we can learn from her is the very courage and determination she is showing. We can learn that things should not be taken for granted. There are kids out there without chairs and desks in school, without teachers and some with no schools at all. We are fortunate enough to be able to witness and experience schooling which helps us to find our true self. All we can do is support her by getting education and helping others get it. There is a Malala Yousafzai in all of us. Awaken it!!

I AM MALALA!! ARE YOU?

-- Kunde Sanjana