DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated Malala Yousafzai and Shri Kailash Satyarthi for being awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for the right of girls to education for several years, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improve their own situations. 

This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances.  Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.

Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has lead various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain.  He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.

In a congratulations message, Sheikh Hasina said that young brave Malala is the youngest ever Nobel Prize winner and she has brought the light of education in the valley areas of Pakistan.

She also praised Satyarthi and said that he has devoted his life to regain the rights of the helpless poor children of rural areas of India.

However, Sheikh Hasina also hoped that the recognition will help them to be more courage and dedicated to humankind. The people of the subcontinent should get rid of militancy, terrorism and communalism, she further desired.

She also wished a long life, good health and success in their future lives.

Press wing of the Premier confirmed the matter to banglanews.

On Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Kailash Satyarthi of India and Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan with the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.

** Malala, Satyarthi share Nobel Peace Prize

BDST: 1356 HRS, OCT 11, 2014