PEACE.

The headline of the Gulf News, dated 10/10/09 reads, ‘A NOBEL WINNER, FOR WHAT?’

The announcement of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner has raised far too many eyebrows and caused too many speculations. Be it in the social network, the papers or normal ‘chit chats’, the question is ‘for what?
On the other hand, the Norwegian Prize Committee stands clear of its decision. An excerpt from the statement reads, ‘the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is awarded to President Barrack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people. Obama as a president has created a new climate in international politics. Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given the people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population. For 108 years the Norwegian Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now world’s leading spokesman.’

The Nobel Committee head, Thorbjoern Jagland further clarified the decision by saying, ‘It was because we would like to support what he’s trying to achieve.’

Having read all of the above, I feel its time we followed Spencer Johnson, the author of 'Who Moved my Cheese' and accept change graciously. Decisions change , the grounds on which decisions are made change,and, if it is for the good of humanity then why not? After all, we are the same people who nine months ago agreed that Barrack Obama was a visionary and a true leader .Why then do we want to deny him this encouragement to set an example for the rest of the leaders to follow?
Let this award be a call to action for all.