My impression on: ‘I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban’


News flashed globally about a teenage girl called Youfazai Malala, who was shot on the head by the Taliban, for taking up the cause of Girls' right to Education.

Animators and teachers would quote about her during their talks or programme. Overnight she seems to get World-Wide attentions. Besides, a book called “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”, appeared. It was even sold in the train and road-sides. She gave a speech in UN which again was telecast in the News Channels and in YouTube. Finally she awarded with many other International and National prizes, and crowned with the coveted Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

In fact, there was no curiosity left about her life, though I must admit that I did not know much about her early life at Swat Valley, Pakistan.

One fine day in March 2018, I was glancing randomly at the book stake to find some books to read. I saw this book again, so I grabbed it without much thought but only to know her background. As I began to read, some of my colleagues said that, she is merely exalted by the media and in reality did not do much compared to the media hype she received. Secondly, they also said that, the book was boring and not impressive as they have expected.

However, as I begin to read the book, I realized the bulk of rich information about the people of Pakistan particularly of the people at Swat Valley and the emergence of Taliban. The book also throws light on the political scenario and how the Military functions in the Country. All these contributed to the better understanding of Malala’s situation.

What Malala is today, can be greatly credited to her Father Ziauddin, who was passionate for education, which is clearly seen from his life, overcoming all odds to materialize his dreams. His life is very inspiring and heart touching. It was he who named her Malala after Malalai of Maiwand, the greatest heroine of Afghanistan. She is the brain and heart child of her Father.

On close reading of the book, personally I feel happy about the acknowledgements and recognitions she received for what she is more than what she has done. In the future, she could become a positive force of change especially in the lives of the children who are deprived of education. She is a person who gives 100% to her studies and she loves schools. In fact this is what she wants to share with all the deprived children. So it is something marvelous and her vision is very concrete.

It is glad to note how the Pakistan Military and Civil Government responded to the tragic situation. President Zardari and General Kayani as heads of the Country extended all their support and help. Indeed it was a miracle that Malala Yousafzai was saved and alive.

God bless those nurses and doctors particularly Dr Javid Kayani and Dr. Fiona Reynolds, who gave their heart and time in caring and saving Malala, the icon of youngsters, who inspires many more to bring positive change in the world.

The story of Malala leaves me with deep sense of Awe. Whoever reads her book, will be inspired by her simplicity and her cause for education. I believe that this book, “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”, will become a subject of study later in some universities.



‘I Am Malala:
The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban’

Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb
I
mage link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17851885-i-am-malala

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