International Day of Peace

Shaping Peace Together

Indian Scriptures have been emphasising the importance of being at Peace.

ॐ सह नाववतु।
सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु
मा विद्विषावहै।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
May we all be protected, all be nourished, work together with great energy.
May our intellect be sharpened, let there be no Animosity amongst us
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace

Taittiriya Upanishad

Humans have always been fond of exploring new places, cultures and learn. The zeal for exploration led to the occupation and displacing the natives. That is where the real problems started. While in pursuit to find solutions to enhance the quality of life continues, the world got splintered into several parts, based on religion, nationality, caste, and so many other differences. Establishment of larger kingdoms has never led to prosperity. With the advent of modern technology, travelling farther and finding new places for gainful employment have created more reasons for conflicts.

Today humanity is split based on an individual’s sense of greatness and intolerance to different choices. Society is searching for solutions to end the misery despite all the progress made.

Every year, 21 September is being observed as “The International Day of Peace”. Established in 1981 by unanimous UN resolution, and the commitment of humanity to commit and contribute to building a Culture of Peace. This year, it is the 20th Anniversary of the UN Resolution on the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

Several Conflicts are going on in the world for several years. Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Libya, Venezuela and the list goes on. The rise in tensions due to US sanction on Iran, North Korea is calling out for new conflicts and threatening the Peace. More people are getting killed because of fighting in Afghanistan than in any other current conflict in the world.

Half a million people are killed in interpersonal violence every year (that is 1300 per day) and almost nine times the number of lives lost in open warfare. The reasons for the violence are interrelated, with institutions becoming weak and societies becoming tolerant of violence.

Conflict and violence have multiple dimensions. Interestingly GDP per capita has no strong correlation to disputes. Prolonged war keeps countries poor, and it takes a long time to return to normalcy. Gender-based violence too is on the rise, with negative consequences for both societies and economies. An estimate says that close to 90% of current war casualties are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children.

Over the decades, the UN has helped to end numerous conflicts, often through actions of the Security Council. 2020 marks the 75 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Never again the world echoed,
But the question comes to mind would it be?

Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction, or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly. Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

Celebrate the International Day of Peace by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred.