Give peace a chance

A bright sunny morning of 15th august, Independence Day, little did the tiny tots know that what a dreadful plan was awaiting them. They were all dressed in vibrant colors, playing near the beautiful lake. The sun rays were falling on the water and the shimmer was getting reflected on their pink cheeks .Their innocent eyes were dazzling and dreaming of the magnificent evening. Though some kids were a bit tensed about their performance. After all, they had been practicing for this day for months. There was a transient peace in the air.

The chief minister of Kashmir was invited to be the chairperson for this grand celebration. Far away from this peaceful piece of earth, in some corner of a dark, dingy forest five masterminds were planning to put the school ablaze. It was a meticulous plot and it seemed like nothing could stop them now. As planned they were carrying dolls and many other gifts for these innocent kids and flower bouquets for the teachers and the chief guest. The beauty of these gifts conveniently hid the grotesque reality underneath. They marched towards their destination with full determination.

At the spot, there was a high security arrangement but they posed as school staff carried fake identity cards, which proved that they were school staff. They started unwinding the bombs hidden in the stuff they carried and arranged them in every nook and corner of the school. The much-awaited program was about to start as the chief minister had arrived. The kids recited rhymes, danced to patriotic tunes and a play main theme was to bring about peace amongst the two nations.

The master mind among the terrorists, the one who had planned the entire execution of this baneful activity was watching the performance with full attention. He was absolutely engrossed in it but then he realized that all this was a mere play, far from the truth of life. So he walked out of the auditorium. As he came out of the place, he found no one outside. But far off, he saw a little girl; sitting in a corner all alone trying to do something. So he walked towards the little child and saw that the girl was trying to paint something since long but could not do it upto her satisfaction .So he asked her," what are you trying to do?"

She answered," Uncle. I am trying to draw a flag of India and Pakistan tied together. The Indian and the Pakistani soldiers are saluting it. There are no barriers at the border and a temple and a mosque are situated close to each other. The people are hugging each other as if they have found their loved ones after 50 years of independence." So the man decided to help her and drew it for her. When she saw the picture, there was a tinkle in her eyes. She was elated, she planted a kiss on the man's cheeks and ran with the picture directly into the auditorium. This incident brings back the memories of his child to him who was now in a far away land. It reminded him of the way in which she used to come running to his dad and kissed him in exactly the same manner.

Suddenly it recurred to him that it was almost time for the bombs to explode .His conscience started asking him."How can you be so demonic? How can you put so many angelic lives into a deep sleep? Will you ever be able to face your own child? Will you ever be able to rest in peace even after death?" There is a sudden change of mind and he diffused all the bombs. He walked towards that little girl, picked her up, kissed her on the forehead and said, "Thank you! You have given me the biggest gift in life. You have taught me the lesson of love and peace." With those words, he gathered his fellow-men and left the place.

Why not make it celebration with a purpose, and share a resolution that will help unite our local, national and global communities.