Thorny issues

Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan are the problematic matters that continue to be the major contributors for global unrest. While Palestine is being devastated by a migrated community that has usurped most of its lands and unilaterally formed the occupied area into a nation, Iraq and Afghanistan are being plundered and destroyed by the occupying forces and insurgents alike. The worst part of this tragedy is that the prime patrons of this brutality are our psuedo bosses, the world’s police and the self-proclaimed donors of democracy whose favorite pastime is to meddle into others’ affairs. How shamefully they propagate and preach democracy despite invading, conquering and occupying other nations? It is this insanity that fans resentment amongst the suppressed and the oppressed, forcing them to resort to absurd insurgencies and guerilla warfare, not justifiably right though. It is this madness that is expelling peace and stability from this world. But let us remember these glorious sayings:

What goes up has to come day.

What has a beginning has an end.

Will peace ever return to Iraq?

Since August 2003 tens & thousands of Iraqis have lost their lives and continue to do so, though at a lesser rate. The number of dead as a result of the US invasion and the resultant insurgency is a matter of controversy as different sources indicate contradictory figures. But one thing is crystal clear - the common man of Iraq bore the brunt of the brutality.



While the planned withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq is expected by the end of this month, one cannot see peace returning back to Iraq in the near future. Suicide attacks and sectarian killings continue to wreck havoc to this moment without any sign of receding. Even yesterday a truck bomb in Kirkuk claimed 67 lives and injured roughly about 200.



Having already suffered under the brutal regime of a tyrant for about a quarter century, it is extremely painful to see the unabated carnage and destruction. When will peace and sanity return to Iraq?

Role of Media in Resolving conflicts

The media is an integral part of every nation's social, political, technological and economic prosperity. To split the media's role from a nation's achievements is next to impossible. It's influence on our lives is very profound. However, it is no secret that the media, while trying to go into the details of any problem, often ends up messing things to a great extent by being too speculative or over-reactive. Such a reporting castes a negative spell in the minds of the general public which relies on the media reports for authenticity and believes it to be so.

Almost every sane individual, educated or not, starts his day either reading newspaper or watching television news channels or at least listening to radio news even if he is on wheels. People get attracted/attached sentimentally and emotionally to the news items that are more relevant to their circumstances. Such is the persuasive power of the media on our lives.

Therefore the media should adopt the policy of reporting with fairness and accuracy. Consciously or sub-consciously, there should be no exaggeration, bias and speculation. Such measures will be a big boost to the task of resolving conflicts and bringing back peace to this beautiful world.

In quest for peace

The world is going through turbulent times. We see people killing each other on religious, ethnic, caste, communal, political lines. People even kill for money and pride. Groups fight each other and against nations for supriority and recognition. Nations carry out war amongst themselves. There is hatred, jealousness and greed everywhere. Rights and ethics have become antics these days. Patience and tolerence have vanished into eternity. As a result the entire world is polarised.

Scores of people get killed everyday everywhere. Red tears roll out of my heart when I have a look at the newspaper each day. Page after page I find carnage, destruction and senseless brutality that ruins the lives and livelihood of many.

When will it stop and how? How to end this madness?

As a human being, as a member of a family, as a resident of a locality, as a citizen of a nation and as a part of the earth, it is the moral responsibility of every one of us to practice peace by way of patience, tolerence, equality, respect for others, distinguishing rights and wrongs, and, keep away from depriving others of their opportunity. As a first step, let us follow these simple steps.

1. Be good with our family members, neighbours, relatives, friends, colleagues.

2. Be honest and sincere with whatever we say and in whatever we do.

3. Advocate the path of tolerence and non-violence.

4. Call 'right' as 'right' and wrong' as 'wrong'.

5. Wish for others as we would wish for ourselves.

Yes. This might be just a drop in the ocean. But let it be our contribution.

Come. Together we can and we will make a difference!