16 October,2009 09:27 AM IST | | Prahlad Nanjappa
So the other day it was tweeted to me that Obama had bagged the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. The next day the papers broke the news only the comments were far more guarded than those on rabid networking sites.
Alfred Nobel intended his Peace Prize to be awarded to the person who "in the previous year shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
Last seen Obama was turning a distinct shade of red as he justified his winning. In the previous year, Barack was busy running for his elections, busy moving into the White House, busy putting the American economy together again. And busy sending out more troops to the Af-Pak region.
When exactly did he do anything to better world peace: other than allow his wife to buss Carla Bruni in the name of Inter-Continental relationship building.
Twitterers, meanwhile, haven't seen any reasonable justification for the biggest boo boo in Nobel history. Mere talking about World Peace shouldn't get you one, should it. By that logic, there are many Indians who should definitely be on the shortlist for 2010:
The Karnataka Chief Minister: He promises us a better State. He walks around picking up money for flood victims (and never mind that nobody knows whether it will actually get to them or not.) His ministers donate heavy jewellery to Tirupati as they pray for peace and prosperity more their own than anyone else's but that's a moot point. BSY's definitely a shoo- in for the Laurel.
Mayawati Madam: She envisions a peaceful world that is dotted with statues of herself clutching on to a Dharavi leather bag. She foresees a world where she gives lots of business to jewellers so they prosper, as they shower her with diamonds. And she's actually gone one better thanu00a0 Barack woe betide anyone who tries to create any unrest against her: she doesn't talk about peace to them, she just makes sure they rapidly disappear!u00a0 See what a peaceful world Maya Pradesh can be.
The Miss Indias: Each of them has mugged up a soliloquy about world peace. And hey, between them and Obama, my money's on them looking far better as they sashay down the Banquet Halls to accept their Nobel! Now if only someone would ask them not to make an acceptance speech, things would be good.
All said and done, it sounds like someone rigged the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Who're they gonna parcel it out to next The Sex in the City foursome? They seem to be spreading a lot of love around too.u00a0
