ARTICLE BY SMRITI ON DIWALI

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dhaval

@dhaval_h_parekh

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

Give peace a chance

Smriti Z Irani
Tuesday, November 01, 2005 20:19 IST

Diwali - the festival of lights is a time for friends, family and loved ones. It's the time to relive old memories and moments of joy - a time for togetherness. Despite what we faced in the past few months - our city deluged, an earthquake devastating our beautiful countryside and bomb blasts rocking our faith; peace has prevailed. All this and much more could dampen our spirits and festivities. But what I've witnessed was our resilience, our determination to ensure that life goes on.

However, there have been many write-ups, stressing the fact that now is the time to let those who seek to terrorise us, who ignore our right to live in peace know we mean business. Every time somebody hurts our sentiments, our security as a society, we as a people should hit back. Every time someone pursues the path of violence with us, we should wage a battle of our own to prove that we shall no longer be quiet. Truth be told, this anger, this noise, has never brought about a resolution, never brought about a solution workable for all segments of society. The biggest resistance, the biggest slap in the face of a bully is to go on with a smile, with a renewed sense of purpose.

I remember a time when an eye for an eye and the world will go blind, brought about murmurs of dissent in my classroom. Every time MK Gandhi was discussed amongst us students, there were many who stood up and said this is not the age to turn the other cheek, for if you do so, it signifies weakness of character and that you are scared. I also remember our elders smiling, ignoring the rush of young blood, and saying, "Garam khoon hai, zindagi ki raftar ke saath, thanda pad jayega."

And now that I am close to 30, and I see youngsters react to the words 'peace, humanity, love, acceptance and understanding with a smirk on their faces. It makes me realise how far removed I am from those days of dissent. No, it doesn't mean that standing up for justice scares me; it doesn't mean that I can't defend my own.

All it means is that every time I am confronted, I give peace a chance. So let those who wish to insight dissent, let those who wish to instill fear know that this Diwali, we, the people, seek to bring light, love and peace to every dark corner of the world. But let them beware, that the hand that extends in friendship today, can be raised in defense, when its time for war.