International day of peace - Peace in an age of turmoil

Every year on September 21, the world pauses to mark the International Day of Peace a day of reflection and resolve. Conceived by the United Nations in 1981, this occasion is more than a ceremonial nod to harmony. It is a reminder that humanity’s greatest victories are not etched in the annals of war but in the quiet triumphs of dialogue, reconciliation and coexistence.

History’s long arc is littered with conflicts, yet it also offers luminous examples of peace. More than two millennia ago, Emperor Ashoka, shaken by the carnage of the Kalinga war, renounced conquest through violence and embraced the path of Dhamma. His rock edicts, scattered across the Indian subcontinent, stand as some of the earliest political manifestos for non-violence and moral governance. Centuries later, Mahatma Gandhi transformed this ancient ideal into a modern political force. Armed with nothing more than truth and non-violent resistance, Gandhi led India’s freedom struggle and inspired movements for civil rights and justice across continents. Their legacies remind us that peace is not passivity, it is a courageous, active choice.

The world today needs such courage more than ever. From the shifting sands of West Asia to the fractured borders of Eastern Europe, from simmering tensions in the South China Sea to the humanitarian crises in parts of Africa, conflicts continue to claim lives and displace millions. The war in Ukraine, the turbulence in Sudan, the endless cycle of violence in Gaza and Israel, and the spectre of great-power rivalry in the Indo-Pacific all underscore how fragile the dream of global peace remains. Even in regions not at war, rising intolerance, hate speech, and cyber hostilities reveal that conflict now wears many disguises.

India’s own journey reflects this global paradox. Our Constitution, born after a bitter colonial past and the trauma of Partition, enshrines peace as a foundational value. India has championed non-alignment, acted as a voice for the Global South, and contributed thousands of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. Yet we too confront internal and external challenges: border tensions, religious polarisation, and violent extremism. Upholding peace within a diverse, billion-strong democracy demands constant vigilance and renewal of the Gandhian spirit.

International mechanisms be it the United Nations, regional groupings like ASEAN, or global pacts on climate and disarmament offer forums for negotiation. But these institutions can only reflect the political will of nations. Peace cannot be outsourced. It begins in classrooms where young minds learn empathy, in legislatures where dialogue replaces deadlock, and in neighbourhoods where communities reject hatred.

On this International Day of Peace, Indians have both a heritage to honour and a responsibility to shoulder. Ashoka’s remorse and Gandhi’s satyagraha teach that the pursuit of peace is neither weakness nor luxury; it is the highest form of strength. As the world hurtles through technological revolutions and geopolitical realignments, India’s voice firm, principled, and rooted in non-violence can serve as a beacon.

The challenge is formidable. Yet the choice remains clear. We can allow fear, nationalism and aggression to dictate the future, or we can summon the wisdom of our past to shape a more humane tomorrow. Let September 21 be more than a date on the calendar. Let it be a call to action for India, and for all nations to prove that peace is not a distant dream, but the most practical path to a just and lasting world.