The Nobel Prize needs to regain its credibility
The Nobel Prize, deemed as the most prestigious honour across the globe, has been mired in controversies time and again. Despite its significant cause of identifying the most outstanding personalities whose contribution has been significant to the betterment of the world, the global forces that work behind this committee have always been questioned by people. Many scholars have even rejected this honour. There is definitely some amount of truth in the allegation of Nobel Prize being under the control of imperialist forces. There were roaring discussions when the prize was given to Aung San Suu Kyi and Barack Obama.
The fact that Mahatma Gandhi was denied the Nobel, is a lacunae for the prize itself. Yet, there is no question about the credibility of Nobel to a large extent. This time again, the Nobel Prize is wallowing in controversy. Not for having bestowed the award on someone, but because the award will NOT be given away to any recipient this year. The Swedish origin Academy has declared that the award will not be given in 2018 for literature. And as a compensatory measure, two people will be honoured in 2019 for the same category. In the past, Nobel Prize has been stalled on seven occasions and five times the ceremony has been postponed. But this time around, the reasons are different and a lot concerning too. This issue that is internal to the Academy, has created a rift among its members. The giving away of the award has been stopped over allegations of sexual harassment allegedly done by the spouse of a lady member. Protesting this, eight members among the 18 member committee have submitted their resignation to the committee. In order to regain the credibility of the Nobel Academy, the award ceremony too has been postponed, says the committee.
There are discussions among prestigious circles about the approach to the topic and the decision that has followed. Why should Academy be held responsible for the members and their family’s personal issues? In 1914 when the world was reeling under the first world war the prize was stalled. In 1915, the prize ceremony was postponed again and it was given to French writer Romain Rolland in 1916. The same thing repeated in 1918 too. Swiss writer Carl Spitteler was selected for the award, but the ceremony was postponed in 1919. It could have been the committee’s decision to award one of their own countrymen at a time when the war ended and people were finally happy. In 1935, academy didn’t honour anyone. And the process of selection itself was postponed in 1936 owing to the fact that no persons could reach the parameters fixed by Alfred Nobel, as per the committee. Eugene O`Neill was honoured with the award in 1936. The prize ceremony was postponed again during the second world war in 1940 and 1943. Danish writer Johannes Jensen was accorded with the award in 1945, after the award was postponed for a year in 1944.
Chili poet Gabriela Mistral was awarded with Nobel Prize in 1945. The committee postponed the award for literature since it was unable to find a befitting recipient in 1949. However, William Faulkner was awarded with this honour in 1950, for the year 1949. From then on, the award wasn’t given a miss even a single year. This is the only year in the recent history that the award has been postponed again. There could have been many other reasons for this. And had the academy wished to postpone the award, a reason like the genocide in Syria (other than someone’s inappropriateness) could have sent a strong message to those strong nations that dictate the world. The committee opposing mass murders of the Rohingyas could have saved the world some compassion and an opportunity to introspect. The world is moving towards waging a third world war, with every passing day. Fascist forces are taking over nations and media is losing its freedom. Had the academy responded to this, and stalled the award it could have helped the world. But then, a reason as given by the academy, has only reduced the whole thing to a matter of internal bickering of the members. This has shrunk the dignity of the academy and the selection committee.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
