The Malala effect: Mr Nadella, can we ask for a Nobel peace prize?

Bangalore, Oct 10:

's winning the Nobel Peace Prize came at a time when women of our age were looking for answers to counter the Microsoft CEO turned self-proclaimed 'Karma guru'

's "do not ask for pay rise" 'advise'. That's what is hitting the iron when it is hot.

God sent, Malala Yousafzai's winning carried a very strong statement to the world, which placed women much beyond the perimeters of gender gap and pay differences.

Being the youngest Nobel laureate ever and a woman for that matter, probably the time is ripe when we asked: Mr Nadella, can we ask for a Nobel peace prize? (at least)

[Read: Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel Peace Prize]

An epitome of power and strength, Malala is known for her activism in a place as pensive as Afghanistan and Pakistan. She is fighting the odds for her likes-for education, for equality, empowerment and jobs.

We are fighting for the same in our own way within the premises of our offices-for equal pay, higher and better responsibilities, promotions. We have our own ambitions like Malala has (mind you, a pay rise is just one of them). We too have been fighting the demons in our offices in the form of sexual harassment and we are gradually championing that.

These challenges are mundane and we have risen above it. We aim for the highest and the best, forgiving the demons who pull us down to earth.

Please respect that!

We are sure, you have realised by now what you have said was wrong. Your Tweets say so and we forgive you for that. But as Malala once said:

"I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated."

So, be that voice and help us set new trends and reach great feats. Not convinced? How about this: Till date, fifteen women have won the Nobel Peace Prize, thirteen have won the Nobel Prize in Literature, ten have won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, four have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, two have won the Nobel Prize in Physics and one, Elinor Ostrom, has won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.

Karma indeed!