Oslo: Activists Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai, an Indo-Pak, Hindu-Muslim combination, on Friday won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 for their work on promoting child rights in the troubled sub-continent that faces serious challenges regarding human indices. 60-year-old Satyarthi, who gave up his job as an electrical engineer to run an NGO in India for rescuing children from forced labour and trafficking, and 17-year-old Malala, who survived a near-fatal Taliban attack two years ago with determination advocating education for girls, were named by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for the prestigious global award this year. But the fact that the award has come at a time when there have been exchanges of heavy gun fire and mortar shelling on the LoC and the international border between the two countries has only underscored the need to bring down tensions. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 is to be awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education," the jury said while announcing the USD 1.1 million award to be given in December.

Satyarthi, who runs an NGO Bachpan Bachao Aandolan (Save Childhood Movement), reacted to the announcement with elation, saying the award would spur him into further action to try and eliminate child slavery in India. Satyarthi, whose organisation has rescued over 80,000 children from forced labour and trafficking, also congratulated co-winner Malala. "I know her. I will call her and congratulate her. We have to go further and work for peace between the two nations (India, Pakistan)." A host of leaders including President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi congratulated both the winners. Modi said "The entire nation is proud of his momentous achievement. Kailash Satyarthi has devoted his life to a cause that is extremely relevant to entire humankind. I salute his determined efforts." Applauding Malala, Modi said that her life's journey has been of immense grit and courage. Expressing happiness over the honour for Satyarthi and Malala, Gandhi said the awards have brought "glory to the entire South Asia".