The term ‘peace’ comes from the Anglo-French ‘pes’, and the Old French ‘pais’, both meaning “peace, reconciliation, silence, agreement. All the religions advocate peace. Before thinking about world peace, we must focus on inner peace. Inner peace refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace.
Peace is the primary infrastructure for development. Many revolutions in the world have been successful due to peaceful movements.Satyagraha by Gandhi to make India independent from the 200-year British rule, campaign by Nelson Mandela against apartheid and the civil rights movement in America by Martin Luther King Jr. to secure the rights of the blacks were all peaceful.
Throughout history, peace has triumphed against odds. The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 after the World War II to stop wars and to maintain world peace.
The Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan have been the victims of civil war and terrorism. Terrorist attacks in European and American cities are increasing. People are turning violent due to the absence of peace in their mind and heart.
Nepal was also the victim of the ten-year Maoist insurgency. The dark time of insurgency has passed but the wounds are still fresh. Citizens of Nepal are fighting with their own brothers and sisters , trying to divide their own country. If this situation continues, we no longer will be able to call our country, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and our future generation will no longer get to live in this beautiful country which embraces diversity.
Let’s live and let live
Sagar is grade 12 student at Uniglobe College
