I was so delighted to hear the news of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize I had to call my wife immediately to share the news. Anyone who wants peace and loves peace has to be happy about it. For those who want a world in conflict this is bad news. Why did the Nobel Committee award him the prize? He has been president only for nine months. He was not even nominated for the prize. Yet why was he selected for this honor?I see two reasons. First,the world at large yearns for peace. The Nobel Committee is hitching its wagon behind Obama hoping that he would work tirelessly to make this world free of nuclear weapons.
But more importantly, I believe that the award is more personal, given to a man who embodies peace. He talks about international co-operation and dialogue as means to solve problems than unilateralism and war. He deserves the award just for dreaming of a world where no country has nuclear weapons.
One question that has been repeatedly asked here and abroad is: "What has he done to deserve this award? It is not an award for "doing" but for "being". Mahatma Gandhi,one of the greatest peacemakers of all times said: "There is no way to peace, peace is the way." Before "working for peace" a person has to "be peace". I think Obama was given the award for his peaceful "demeanor" towards the world more than any one particular thing he has done. It is my hope and prayer this award will give him more courage to pursue peace everywhere, always and all ways.
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