WAR AND PEACE
There is a common saying that war is never good, peace is never bad. But if we
look back into the history of mankind , it will be cleared that there have been
wars since prehistoric times. Although attempts have been made to abolish it,
success has not been achieved so far. In our Indian History we are aware of the
great war that took place between the Kauravs and the Pandavas known as
“MAHABHARATA”. As today’s young generation we have various narratives of
this war as told by our great grandparents or by flipping through the pages of
history but when we see the place what we realize is only bloodshed, mixed with
thousand tears wetting the soil depicting the pain of people. This three –letter
word “WAR” has always proven to be horrifying whenever it is encountered on
this planet. Wars have been taking place from prehistoric times till modern times
whether for survival or to prove powerful.
Few months back we were continuously glued to our phones or television or
newspaper only to witness what has been happening in Russia and Ukraine. The
scenario is painful for both victims and viewers to witness such a disastrous
sight. Therefore war rarely brings any optimism along with it rather things
worsen with each passing day wherein: Innocent lives are lost , Security is
threatened , Basic amenities are dismantled and most importantly we wrap up a
dark, bleak and unsustainable gift for the generations to come.
There are people who justify wars and say war have been an appropriate place
to depict one’s feeling of patriotism ,unity and most importantly the courage and
determination to fight no matter what happens. They believe that war is the
ultimate price we pay for lasting peace. They highlight their point by placing
Charles Darwin at their front as it was he who established the principle of
survival of the fittest. According to this principle there is a constant struggle for
survival in all nature, both animate and inanimate and in this struggle, only those
will succeed who are the fittest. However with changing time demand has
changed ,needs have changed , likings have changed but what has remained is
the “ WANT TO BE POWERFUL.” But such people forget that war always brings
destruction on mass scale. Wars give nothing rather than agony. The present
scenario that we are witnessing is the apt example wherein the countries are
fighting for varied reasons which are economic, social, political or cultural but
the ultimate losers are the innocent people who have to bid adieu to their abode
with their teary eyes only to see remnants when they return or the families of
warriors who might lose their hope in the battlefield , their faces filled with pride
for their nation but there are hearts grieving.
Nations should understand that war will only worsen situation and is no solution
for any alcerations rather we can follow the path of diplomacy or soft power to
strengthen bond amongst nations, find solutions to problems that people face
and focus on growing together. As in a globalized world nations cannot grow
individually ,the growth can happen only with togetherness. So wherever
possible wars should be avoided and peaceful diplomatic solutions always be
entertained.
Some people believe that peace is merely the absence of war but it is the
presence of a better life. According to Albert Einstein ,”Peace cannot be kept by
force, it can only be achieved by understanding. Peace is the mother of progress.
Without peace a nation cannot make any progress. We all have to face this choice
whether peace is to be achieved only after unimaginable happenings as a result
of human’s stubborn behavior or it is to be adopted now as an act of consultative
will.
BY:- Ankita Samantara
