Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai launches new book ‘Finding My Way’. In this, Malala wrote many of her stories, but the story of burning ganja made the headlines the most. Malala wrote, ‘My college friends were smoking ganja in a ‘shack’. He applied pressure, so I also joined him. I took a puff and suddenly my head started spinning, my heart started beating loudly. After a while, my mind went back to that van in Pakistan, where the Taliban had shot me.

So let us understand in ABP Explainer why Malala told the story of smoking ganja, whether ganja really sharpens the brain and what is the controversy over banning it…

Question 1- What is the story of burning ganja that Malala told?
answer- Malala’s new book ‘Finding My Way’ was launched on 21 October. In this Malala wrote-

While studying at Oxford University, I tried to write an essay on economics. There was a difficult question to answer. I read the question many times, but did not understand. A friend of mine advised me to take some rest. After this I left my college and reached a small building. Students used to call this building shack i.e. ‘hut’. Here one of my friends was sitting with two boys from another class. A transparent container with a glass pipe was kept in between them.

This container is a water pipe for smoking marijuana, which is also called ‘bong’. As soon as the smell of ganja entered my nose, I got the answer to my question. I took a puff of marijuana from the pipe, after which I became restless. I remembered the Taliban firing in 2012. I felt that scary incident again.

Malala wrote, ‘After that night everything changed forever. I felt the attack most closely. I remembered the gun, the blood, the ambulance. I felt as if I was reliving it all again. For once I felt as if I was in the other world.

I became unconscious after smoking ganja. One of my friends picked me up in his lap, after which I started having problems like nervousness and lack of sleep. I would often sweat and my heart rate would increase. I also had to go to doctors.

Question 2- There are many stories in Malala’s book, then why only the discussion of burning ganja?
answer- Apart from the stories related to ganja, Malala has also openly told about the problems of personal life in her book. He also included his experiences of failing in exams, dating, friendship, romance and overcoming it.

A section of social media says that Malala is abandoning Islamic values ​​and mentioning ‘Western lifestyle’ like weed and dating to sell her book. Many people are calling it a publicity stunt.

However, on the other hand he is also being praised. American magazine ‘Oprah Daily’, in its review of the book, described Malala’s experiences as ‘a complicated, extremely strange period of adolescence’ and wrote, ‘This is Malala’s unfiltered story that gives a sense of the courage that we can all feel.’

But Malala’s book has again fueled the old debate, which has brought ganja into the discussion.

Question 3- After all, what is this ganja, which, when smoked, has a direct effect on the brain?
answer- According to medical experts, Ganja is an intoxicating drug, which is also known colloquially as ‘weed’ or ‘marijuana’. After consuming marijuana, a person forgets recent things and starts remembering old things and keeps thinking about some old incident for a long time. This creates a state of anxiety and depression. Prolonged use of marijuana can also cause mental illness. Ganja is made from a plant, whose scientific name is Cannabis.

• Hemp contains 150 types of chemical compounds, which are called cannabinoids. The most special among these are – Tetrahydrocannabinol i.e. THC and Cannabidiol i.e. CBD.
• THC is responsible for causing intoxication in the body and CBD reduces intoxication.
• Whatever we see, hear or feel through the brain, the brain does it through neurons. There are cannabinoid receptors on these neurons, that is, places where cannabinoids go and stick.
• Some people get a kind of pleasure after running, which is caused by anandamide. When someone smokes marijuana, THC mimics anandamide and reaches the body through the bloodstream.
• THC has the greatest effect on the parts of the brain that have the highest number of cannabinoid receptors.

According to many organizations and medical research like America’s ‘National Institute of Drug Abuse’ (NIDA), about 30% of the people who consume marijuana for a long time may develop marijuana use disorder i.e. addiction to marijuana. If its use is started before the age of 18 years, the risk of addiction can be up to 7 times higher.

Question 4- Is ganja more dangerous than charas and cannabis? How is it made?
answer- Bhang, charas and ganja are made from the same species of plant ‘Cannabis’. These three are psychoactive drugs, which directly affect the brain.

• Ganja: It is specially prepared by drying the flowers of the plant and its smoke is taken for intoxication.
• Cannabis: It is made by grinding the leaves of the plant. It is consumed by mixing it with beverages or converting it into dry tablets for long-term use.
• Charas: It is prepared by collecting the resin or sticky substance of the plant, which is mixed in beedis, cigarettes etc. or smoked alone through smoke.

Question 5- Then why is there a ban on selling ganja in India?
answer- In 1961, under a convention in the United Nations i.e. UN, Cannabis was put in the category of narcotic substances. In November 1985, Rajiv Gandhi’s government passed the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. According to this…

• Production/cultivation, purchase, transport, store and consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances were banned. There are a total of 6 chapters and 83 sections in it.
• In the NDPS Act, the use of different parts of the cannabis plant was declared legal and illegal. The law defines the flower of the plant as marijuana, the use of which is a crime. For this reason the use of marijuana is also illegal.
• The hemp plant was not considered illegal, but was brought under government purview to control its sale. Without a license from the government, bhang or thandai made from it cannot be sold commercially.
• Violation of the law related to cannabis plant or marijuana can result in imprisonment ranging from 1 year to 20 years and a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

However, there is debate regarding cannabis and the drugs made from it whether it actually has any negative effects or not.

Question 6- Is there freedom to smoke ganja in other countries of the world?
answer- Cannabis is completely banned in about 100 countries around the world like China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Sweden, Kenya, Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia. Despite strict laws and millions of efforts like anti-drug campaigns, there is a huge illegal trade in ganja and other narcotic drugs going on in Latin American countries like Venezuela, many small countries of Africa and from America to India.

At the same time, there is no ban on hemp or cannabis in countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Georgia and America. However, it can be used and sold within certain legal limits.

US President Donald Trump said in the Blueroom of the White House on October 8, ‘We have solved 7 wars and are close to solving the 8th. I don’t think anyone in history has solved so many cases, but the Nobel Committee will definitely find some way to not give me the Nobel.

This statement of Trump ultimately turned out to be true. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado instead of Trump. Trump had been claiming for the Nobel Prize for the past several months, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

So let us understand in ABP Explainer why the Nobel Committee did not choose Trump, will Trump’s desperation for the Peace Prize end and what will Trump do next…

Question 1- Why did US President Donald Trump not receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
answer- Foreign affairs expert and JNU professor Dr. Rajan Kumar gives four big reasons for this…

1. Lack of timing and durability of peace efforts
The Nobel Committee focuses on long-term, sustainable peace, not short-term deals. Trump’s efforts like Gaza ceasefire and Ukraine summit took place in September 2025. Whereas the last date for nomination for Nobel was 31 January. Trump’s efforts came too late. The committee decides in advance who will get the Nobel.

2. Distance from multilateral institutions and international cooperation
The Nobel Will focuses on ‘Fraternity between Nations’, which promotes the United Nations and multilateral diplomacy. Trump’s policy cut WHO funding, pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement and put pressure on NATO. This action of Trump hurts the peace building.

3. Ignoring climate change
The Nobel Committee considers climate as a ‘long-term peace threat’. Trump called climate change a ‘hoax’ and pulled out of the Paris deal. He does not believe in climate change, which is disqualifying for the Nobel. The Trump administration reduced climate funding by 40%, whereas previous Nobel-winning US presidents had focused on climate.

4. Independence of Nobel Committee and Trump’s overall lack of fit
The Nobel Committee stays away from political pressure. Trump’s lobbying i.e. nominations from Netanyahu and Pakistan government had a negative impact. Apart from this, Trump had openly called the Finance Minister of Norway and asked for the Nobel.

Question 2- Apart from Trump, who were the contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize?
answer- Apart from Trump, there were 8 big contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize…

1. Elon Musk: Continuous support for the defense of freedom of expression and peace.
2. Imran Khan: Efforts to strengthen human rights and democracy in Pakistan.
3. Greta Thunberg: Spreading global awareness against climate change and environmental peace.
4. Yulia Navalnaya: Protecting human rights in Russia and carrying forward Alexei Navalny’s legacy.
5. Sudan Emergency Response Rooms: Provided humanitarian aid to civilians during war and famine in Sudan.
6. Committee to Protect Journalists: Ensured the safety of journalists and freedom of the press.
7. Anwar Ibrahim: Mediating the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire and Regional Peace.
8. Pope Francis: Worked for peace, environment and the poor.

Apart from these, Maria Machado was also among the nominations, who has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2025.

Question 3- Which countries nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize?
answer- Pakistan, America, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Gabon and Malta nominated Trump for the Nobel Prize. Many reports claimed that Argentina had also made recommendations for Trump.

According to the rules of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the last date for nominations for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was 31 January 2025. Every year the nomination process starts from 1st February and only the names received till that day are valid. Trump took oath as President on January 20 and the nomination process stopped just 11 days later. In such a situation, Trump’s claim was weak.

Question 4- Why was Trump so desperate to get the Nobel Peace Prize?
answer- Trump’s desperation for the Nobel Peace Prize was visible from his first term…

• In July 2019, in a press conference at the White House, Trump had said, ‘Barack Obama got the Nobel just for giving a speech. Actually I should meet.
• In September 2020, a peace agreement was signed between Israel and Arab countries. Regarding America’s role, Trump said, ‘The Nobel Committee should nominate me.’

Even in his second term, Trump expressed his claim for the Nobel Peace Prize several times…

• In June 2025, Trump said that I should have got Nobel 4-5 times.
• Said in October 2025, ‘If I do not get the Nobel, it will be an insult to America.’

According to Dr. Rajan Kumar, Trump’s desperation is due to two big reasons…

1. To be included in the list of American Presidents who won Nobel Prize.
Before Trump, 4 American Presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize. These include Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, but Obama’s Nobel Prize bothers Trump the most. He has repeatedly said that Obama ‘didn’t deserve’ and ‘Obama didn’t do much’. Trump wants to defeat Obama at any cost, for which the Nobel Peace Prize is very important.

2. Peacemaker hunger to become a global leader
Trump is famous for aggressive policies. But he wants to create his image as a global peacemaker leader. America has been accused of instigating many wars like the Iran-Israel war. Trump wants that during his presidency, America’s image should become that of a country that mediates for peace. Nobel will fulfill this dream of Trump. Apart from this, Trump is hungry for strengthening his self-image and praise.

Question 5- What did Trump do to get the Nobel Peace Prize?
answer- According to an article in the Norwegian newspaper Dagens Næringliv on August 14, in July 2025, Trump had called Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and asked for the Nobel Prize. Trump has stopped 8 major wars in 2025…

1. India-Pakistan conflict: On May 7, India avenged the Pahalgam attack by carrying out ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Pakistan and destroyed many terrorist hideouts. After 4 days of conflict, on May 10, Trump announced a ceasefire on Truth and said, ‘I stopped the war between two nuclear power countries.’

2. Israel-Iran War: On June 13, Israel launched an airstrike on Iran, in which Iran’s nuclear laboratories were destroyed and many top leaders were killed. On June 24, Trump called for ceasefire and said, ‘I stopped the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.’

3.Kosovo-Serbia dispute: There was ethnic and historical tension between the two countries since 1998, which was ended by Trump on June 27. He said, ‘I stopped Kosovo and Serbia from the brink of a major war.’

4. Rwanda-Congo conflict: On June 27, Trump stopped the ongoing genocide in the Congolese rebel conflict. He said, ‘I got Rwanda and Congo to sign the ‘Great Treaty’ and the rebellion stopped.’

5. Thailand-Cambodia Conflict: On July 24, conflict began between the two countries over Preah Vihear Temple and the surrounding disputed areas. Trump declared ceasefire after just 4 days. He said, ‘I stopped the decades-old border war between Thailand and Cambodia through mediation.’

6. Egypt-Ethiopia dispute: There was a conflict between the two countries over the Nile Dam water dispute, which was ended by Trump in July 2025. Trump said, ‘It was an endless water war, but it was resolved.’

7. Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute: There was an ongoing dispute between the two countries regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh area since 1988. On August 8, Trump called the Presidents of both the countries to the White House and brokered an agreement. Trump said, ‘I called Armenia and Azerbaijan to the White House and got them to sign a 17-point peace treaty.’

8. Israel-Hamas War: On October 9, a ceasefire was imposed on the war between Israel and Hamas that has been going on since 2023. Trump released a new Gaza plan, the first phase of which was agreed to by both Israel and Hamas. Trump wrote on Truth, ‘This is the first step towards a strong and lasting peace’.

Question 6- Will Trump’s struggle for the Nobel Peace Prize end?
answer- According to Dr. Rajan Kumar, Trump’s struggle to get the Nobel Peace Prize will not end. He has to surpass Barack Obama at any cost, so he will keep trying. However, Trump may receive the Nobel Peace Prize next year i.e. 2026. Whatever wars Trump stopped and all the hard work he did for the Nobel may bear fruits next year, because Trump has enough time for nominations.

According to experts, Trump will definitely win the Nobel. All the wars that are still going on or have not ended completely, will end them. They will work on a new strategy and prepare for next year’s prize. Trump will avoid taking any wrong decision in panic, because it will affect the next Nobel.

Question 7- What is Nobel Prize and how is it received?
answer- The Nobel Prize was established on 27 November 1895 on the basis of the will of Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel. It is available in 6 categories, which include Physics, Medicine, Chemistry, Literature, Economics and Peace. It is given only to those who have done the work of providing ‘the greatest benefit to mankind’. Nobel Prizes were awarded for the first time in 1901 and Rabindranath Tagore is the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize.

No person can nominate anyone for the Nobel Peace Prize. Only those people can nominate who are authorized by the Nobel Committee.

• Nominations for Nobel can be made by the President, Prime Minister, Parliamentarian, Justice of the International Court, former Nobel laureates, professors of universities, current and former members of the Nobel Committee and heads of some special institutions and organizations.
• Nobel nominations run from September to January 31 every year.
• Experts are consulted in March, April and May.
• A report with suggestions is prepared in June and July.
• In September, the Nobel Academy receives the report of the names of the final candidates.
• The Nobel Prize is announced after voting in October.
• The Nobel Prize is awarded on 10 December, the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel.