I got to know who is Malala,when she was shot in the head by a Taliban. But I got to know who the Real Malala is only after reading this book.
You want to know the Real Malala.....stay with me on this....and read this post till end.
I wonder, how would a 12-13 yrs old Me respond if I am told no need to go to school. Sit in home and play. May be I would jump in excitement. But not Malala. She raised voice against Taliban, went on air publicly fighting for her right to Education. I mean a 12-13yrs old kid - no way. Right. But she did that. I wonder how. After I read this book I think one of the major motivations behind her was her father. Since childhood she saw her father talk about the importance of education in life. It was so much ingrained into her mind & soul that a kid was ready to fight the Talibans over her right to go to school.
Now imagine, if you are being awarded by President of the Nation, a kid would go nicely dressed up, excited to be on TV and enthusiastic about the award. But Malala is different, she prepared a list of demands she wanted to put in front the govt officials. Damn. She is no ordinary child.
When she knew she was the target by Talibans, I don't know from where she got the courage to go around in public. It is such an irony that the day she was shot, she was returning from school after giving an exam and the last thoughts of hers before the bullet struck her skull were....what she has to revise for the next exam. "Education!!!" Damn !! She only wanted to study in peace.
The strangest thing is that Taliban later issued a statement that she was shot because she preached Secularism and for calling Obama one of her favourite Politician. As far as I know Malala didn't speak about Secularism , so I assume Taliban have a skewed understanding of Secularism. She was all out support for Education and Taliban didn't even had guts to openly claim the real reason for the attack.
This girl never stops surprising me. When she regains consciousness in Birmingham, her initial thoughts were that I don't have money for such expensive hospital and she plans to work to earn money and call her parents back home. You are an inspiration for millions on how to fight the battles in life.
Read the book to know more about her Courage, determination & Conviction. For me I have become her fan for life and want to follow her work. I also think that someday she will go back home - Swat Valley - Pakistan. I only pray and wish that she achieves what she wants to - Peaceful Education!!!
