Mindy Kaling mistaken for Malala Yousafzai
Mindy Kaling was mistaken for Malala YousafzaiTwitter/Mindy Kaling, Twitter/I am Malala

Turns out, you can write and star in an award-winning FOX TV show and be a beloved role-model for many women and girls out there and still be recognised for something you have nothing to do with.

As part of The NewYorker festival, comedian and author of bestselling book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me", was at the 37th floor of the Trump SoHo New York hotel, taking part in a Q&A panel, when she was mistaken for the 17-year-old education activist from Pakistan. A New York Times reporter who had spent time with the creator of "The Mindy Project" was privy to the unjustifiable mistaken identity.

The New York Times reports that as the Indian-origin comedian stood by the banquettes, following an the Q&A with television critic Emily Nussbaum and during an interactive session with fans, a seemingly tipsy 80-year-old man cornered her and showered her with compliments. "Congratulations on your Nobel Prize," he said, before commenting on how well she has recovered from the Taliban gunshots.

Needless to say, Kaling was rendered speechless and admittedly ecstatic at being confused for an inspiring young woman. "Did he really thing I'm Malala? And that if I were, I'd be at the Boom Boom Boom?" She wondered out loud, once the man was safely out of earshot.

"That's the best thing that's happened all night." Kaling confirmed.

While Kaling's "The Mindy Project" is on its third season and her character Dr Mindy Lahiri has finally found an equilibrium between her professional life as an OBGYN and her love life with colleague Dr Danny Castillano, played by Chriss Messina, Malala Yousufzai became the youngest Nobel Prize winner on 10 October 2014 for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.

The United Nations had dubbed 12 July 2013, which was the day Yousufzai spoke at the UN and called for worldwide access to education, as "Malala Day". The speech, which also marked her first public appearance since she was attacked by the Taliban, was received with a standing ovation, and even led to UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon, describe her as "our hero".

Yousufzai, however, clarified that "Malala day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights."

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