Thanks to technology these days’ wars/conflicts/encounters all have become reality shows. It is unnerving to watch footage of Israel-Hamas standoff- be it tanks moving in or a rocket offensive. Homes are being reduced to rubbles on both sides. Civilians – men, women and children dying are every sec as the world watches on TV while munching food. Blogosphere, mainstream media, countries and even individuals all are forced to take sides when a war is raged anywhere in the world. Even the media coverage becomes an arsenal for either side.

I have to struggle to explain to my son the images that are seen in newspaper/TV/or other media. I am often tempted to pretend like a father in the movie “Life is Beautiful” and say its a game. But then violence is almost knocking on the door with brutal terrorism attacks and it’s difficult to be in denial. Also violence is very much there on entertainment and even on cartoon channels. Wars are even part of our history and literature. We cannot deny this brutal reality of human existence.

Yesterday my son asked me once again, “Mom, why there are bombs and wars?” and chided me, “Look no one is listening to Gautam Buddha or Mahatma Gandhi”. I tried to explain to him that people seek long term peace through various ways. But he looked at me and said, “No, Mom, wars are not fought for peace. They want to show they are stronger. My friends often fight to prove who is strongest.”

I learnt a simple truth from my son. Peace never seems to be a part of human/political agenda.

Via Current/Huffington Post(image)