Of Wars and Falls

Of Wars and Falls

“If hate is the love language of beloved, I wonder why I hear of sirens barring, guns unloading, bombs exploding, silent cries of despair & the lurking sound of the grim reaper.”

It is difficult to imagine gospels around when you see Lucifer’s army marching aimlessly on trails to the door of the netherworld. The ongoing conflicts are an ample example of this. With rich vetoing UN resolutions to stop the war or countries abstaining, it is difficult to predict when one can see the light of the day with birds chirping instead of barring sirens.

World War I – Climax? Not yet! Let’s Commence

It is said that the end is the start of something new. That’s what the world experienced in the 20th century. The second decade oversaw the rise of bloodshed. Earth oversaw the power tussle. The undivided world was suddenly divided into two axes and allies. The war saw the creditors becoming debtors. It saw children becoming orphans every day, soldiers fighting an unwilling war, and simultaneously praying for peace. This new political alignment paved the way for the eruption of another war. World War II wherein 70-85 million people perished. The war oversaw the worst genocide ever orchestrated – six million Jews estimated to be dead. Many countries denied the existence of the horror of the Holocaust. But then there were Poles who were busy recreating their destroyed capital Warsaw. This gave the world a small inspiration and hope for a better tomorrow and some stability. This war questioned many beliefs, but what intrigued us was– Did the Samaritan not stop?

Put in efforts to bid in some cheers

What started an obsession has turned into an invasion. Vladimir Putin is hell-bent on seizing Ukraine even if it means the country becomes a no man’s land, a barren desert with no scope of life. What is worse is there is a country called the United States of America. The said country loves meddling in everyone’s business to earn its own profit. It stays united on its own but loves to divide others. Now this domineering country has turned everyone in its favor and has successfully boycotted Russia from international circles. Now USA has leverage over Russia in terms of the export of defense equipment, food security and of course the veracious image. As for Ukraine, it's already debt–riddled. It's high time both Russia & Ukraine understand that a third person is taking advantage of their situation. Brothers from the same mother fighting for the same piece of mother isn’t morally acceptable. I ponder don’t all mothers love their children alike or the children don’t share their mother equally?

The child from Gaza gazing into gutted Gaza 

There is no term as ethical warfare yet the armies around the world follow some ethos while fighting the wars in compliance with ICJ rules. But now scrutinizing the news, it feels like Herod incarnated in IDF and ordered to kill all Palestinians. Destroy Hamas to demolish the ranks of terrorism. But please look into the eye of the kid with no food & clothes to protect from harsh winters. I wonder did the flames of war eat up the warmth of Christmas?

Saam, Daam, Danda, Bhed or Daam, Saam, Danda, Bhed?

Vishnugupta, the greatest strategist of all time, in his political and diplomatic text Arthashastra proposed three ways of avoiding conflict – Saam, Daam and Danda with the fourth being the war itself – Bhed. Saam refers to persuasion, Daam refers to temptation, Danda means punishment while Bhed translates to division. Kautilya advised using this approach chronologically. But is it being followed in the current scenario? It’s more like Daam, Saam, Danda and Bhed currently. Leaders are more interested in deals than peace talks. Now Daam is prioritized over Saam. World Wars saw the direct use of Bhed, Russia – Ukraine war administered the use of Danda Israel – Palestine had Daam (trade) of hostages. But what about Saam? Looks like Vishva Guru India that is Bharat is truly looking forward to making Earth one big happy family again. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind

Now is the era where humans have started fearing their own kind – humans due to these pessimistic approaches. But what stands out in this scenario is the fact - till the time you never expose yourself to your fear, then you can never overcome it. So, maybe it’s time for us to start confronting ourselves. Maybe we can become human in a true sense one day. A day when no air raid sirens will blare, no guns unloading, a day less on violence and of no fighting, filled with holiness and purity of children’s squeal, laughter, rosy cheeks, of soldiers settling for a meal together. A day we’ll remember the silence of friends not the cry of the enemy. It may be the martyrs who pave the path for victories but it’s the men who are alive who walk onto it.

Maybe, one day peace will descend in death of all, the justice day, the day mankind is wiped off the face of the earth.