“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Mahatma Gandhi
Does the sword ever sow seeds of peace? Our timeless epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, depict great heroes like Rama and Krishna wielding arms only after exhausting all avenues of patience. Yet, at their core, these tales caution against the devastation of war, echoing the eternal wisdom of our culture that values life over destruction. When conflict erupts, it's the ordinary people on both sides, those who toil through the week and rest on Sundays for livelihood, who bear the brunt, their innocence and mental peace gets shattered by the actions of a few criminal minds, suffering utmost. In war's stirring situation, we find only sorrow and loss, a grim reminder that true strength lies not in the might of arms but in the pursuit of peace and compassion.
Henceforth there is war like situation between India and Pakistan after ‘Pahalgam Attack’ and ‘Operation Sindoor,’ few questions began to pop up in my mind, and I put forth these for consideration- What about those innocents killed at both side, and generations living in terror after such situations for several decades? When one side we are thinking of progress of Kashmir with the act of abrogation of article 370, won't such war situation pushes the public and youth decades back again?
The human cost of conflict is indeed devastating, with innocent lives lost and generations traumatized. In the context of Kashmir, if we talk, the nullification of Article 370 aimed to promote development and stability. Some journalists friends and my ex-students of Kashmir, when discoursed about it, always told that they are happy as Kashmir is progressing after nullification of Article 370 but now what?
This present day conflict has brought again severe consequences including lives of innocent people, disturbing the life of ordinary people there, potentially undoing progress and pushing the region backward. The impact on youth and public well-being is particularly concerning, as trauma and instability can have long-lasting effects. It's crucial to prioritize peace-building and dialogue to ensure a brighter future for the people of Kashmir.
Folks who advocate ethical values invariably choose peace over war, recognizing the devastating impact of conflict on humanity. In contrast, warmongers often exploit these situations for their own agendas, disregarding the suffering and loss that affect countless innocent lives, satiate their devilish souls getting thrill out of such situations, full of fear and uncertainty.
Indian culture is rich with examples of Rajas, Maharajas, Leaders and Philosophers who have approached conflict and peace in various ways. There were leaders who preferred war such as Chanakya (4th century BCE), a renowned strategist and philosopher whose Arthashastra outlines methods for conquering and maintaining empires; Maharaja Shivaji (17th century CE), a Maratha king, who fought against the Mughal Empire to establish Swaraj (self-rule) in India with his prowess.
On the other side, there were leaders who preferred shanti to yudh such as Gautama Buddha (6th century BCE), a founder of Buddhism, advocated for non-violence and compassion, and emphasized the importance of inner peace and resolving conflicts through understanding; Mahatma Gandhi whose philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) still continues to inspire movements worldwide.
These examples illustrate the diverse perspectives on war and peace within Bharatiya Sanskriti and beyond. While some leaders have resorted to arms, others have championed non-violence and diplomacy.
Albert Camus has believed- “Peace is the only battle worth waging.” And if we talk about present day, the whole country is in a situation of uncertainty and fear, with no peace. Either it is nuclear attack or cyber attack, both brings harms at various levels at both sides. The impact of such attacks can be far-reaching, affecting not only immediate victims but also future generations. Why don’t people understand the fact that blood is red on both sides? There is a need for diplomacy, cooperation, and peaceful resolution to prevent such catastrophic outcomes.
As we ponder the consequences of such acts, we are reminded of the profound words of Mahatma Gandhi, who sagely remarked, “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is produced.” His words resonate with haunting clarity, urging us to confront the brutal reality that regardless of justification; war leaves behind an unyielding path of despair. No doubt, decades of tension between India and Pakistan have only led to significant human rights concerns and economic stagnation.
The dark shadows of war, sirens, missiles, blackouts not only tear apart hearts, minds and bodies but rend the shared humanity. Each life extinguished is a story lost, a dream unfulfilled, and a family shattered. In the barren aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, we are compelled to ask ourselves: What legacy do we wish to bequeath to the generations that follow? For as the poet John Keats so eloquently stated, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty—that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” Yet, in a world blemished by the wounds of war, how can we claim to embody beauty and truth when love is eclipsed by hatred?
In the face of such atrocities, the response must be woven with strands of benevolence and understanding. Operation Sindoor, and other recent attacks at Rawalpindi and Lahore aimed at countering this pervading darkness, should serve not merely as a reaction to violence but as a catalyst for peace. It is an opportunity to reimagine our collective narrative- one that does not center on revenge or retribution, but rather, on healing and reconciliation. The great philosopher Martin Luther King Jr. once declared, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” In the heart of conflict, it is love, not division that must guide our actions.
The sparks at nights in the sky, moving drones, fear of being attacked, leaving houses and staying in bunkers may drown out the hope within, but we must not let despair, terror, horror, barbarism and terrorism claim our resolve. Instead, we must rise united in our humanity, unyielding in our quest for peace. We should embrace the delicate balance of coexistence, as the poet Maya Angelou said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Every act of kindness, every dialogue that bridges divides, builds a fortress of peace that no war can breach.
We have been witnessing aftermath of wars in countries like Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, war takes countries and civilians of those countries nowhere, hindering their growth, instilling fear, and a lot more. Thus being a poetic soul, I would like to add few poetic lines here hence this is what our Indian culture and education system has collectively taught us:
Dust and rages take us nowhere,
We all wish to live United here.
A sonless mother or husbandless wife with dried tears;
Or mother earth trying to save her respect, she wears;
After listening a cry from a heart of a child;
How can we be so barbaric and wild?
All and sundry have the same blood,
Then why to fill the earth with corpses’ flood?
Be the ambassador of peace and harmony
Feeding the starving souls, a spoon of affection's honey.

Email:---------------------------shalini.yadav067@gmail.com