City kids hope warmongers will turn a new leaf

War is an intense armed conflict between governments or organized groups, characterized by extreme violence and destruction and often of long durations. It is a state of profound social disruption, which impacts the global economy.

The most surprising part of these remarks is that they have not been made by any war veteran, expert in international affairs or those following the ongoing West Asia crisis.

I heard these observations from my young friends at the gated community where I reside. Their agitated discussions and heated debates drew me closer to where they were taking stock of the chaos and turmoil in the world caused by the US-Israel attack on Iran.

Mind you, there was no hanky-panky stuff but an intelligent articulation on the current situation, especially the gas and fuel crisis that is wreaking havoc in the world, including in India.

I was impressed by their knowledge. The 10-year-old Ashish mentioned that someone had termed it as a ‘manmade crisis’. This I learnt was a remark made by his father while watching the developments on a news channel. His dad had recently refuelled his car and didn’t face any issues, but he was talking of the long queues at petrol bunks, while on his way home from offices.

On noticing me, the ‘group’ leader, 12- year-old Tamanna came to me and made a pertinent remark that was symbolic of her team’s humane approach to the developments across the globe. She said that they were not worried about the fuel crisis as such but were concerned about the agony of children affected by the war.

They all had watched a viral video showing kids crying and desperately searching for their parents, and watching the destruction of buildings, the frightening sirens and blazing fire all around. They condemned bombing of schools, hospitals and killing innocent civilians, which, they said, were ‘cowardly’ acts and the perpetrators ‘inhuman’.

The group was visibly moved when describing a girl clutching a damaged teddy bear, looking for her mother in the rubble, which they contended was heart-breaking as kids needed their parents for emotional support and protection.

Every war is a war against children. War does not determine who is right, but only what is left. War is a form of madness.

A little one came forward and asked me whether these warring men had hearts. When children commit mistakes or something wrong in school, they are punished. His innocent doubt was why do these men (barbarians) go unpunished for such heinous crimes?

Rishi, a 14-year-old, who took pride in introducing himself as the future soldier of this great country, spoke about the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindhoor. He pointed out that, in stark contrast, India only targeted terrorist hideouts and did not harm civilians nor had they bombed any infrastructure.

Rishi boldly declared that there is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people. In an emotion-ridden tone, he asked me, ‘Madam can anything be worse than a man having the right to kill me because he lives in a better place and his ruler has a quarrel with mine, though I have not quarrelled with him’.

In a soldier-like reaction, he declared that war is an act of unpardonable violence pushed to its utmost limits. His agony was why these warmongers were not categorised as murderers and duly punished? History, he said, proves that war results in immense suffering, death and destruction, each of catastrophic proportions.

For a moment I was wonderstruck at this ‘young adult’s’ deep sense of pragmatic reasoning. When it was Shipra’s turn to express her feelings, she wondered why countries refrain from focusing on activities that can bring a smile to the face of their people.

It’s a complex issue. I agree, but often it comes down to interests, resources and power dynamics. But she had a very valid point-sovereignty and peaceful co-existence are possible and are within man’s reach. Many countries have demonstrated this with rare panache. But then such complicated issues may be beyond the comprehension of these kids.

The kids’ questions, innocent curiosities and their agony made one to ponder deeply. Greed and ego-ridden mindsets can trigger conflicts, whether it’s about resources, power, influence or one-upmanship. Selfishness can lead to conflicts when countries prioritize their own interests over global well-being.

Can’t the entire humanity focus on making the world a better place? Makes you wonder what the world would be like if leaders prioritized collective good.

Seeing these kids’ humanness and empathy for fellow-citizens, made me realise that India’s future is in safe hands.