Peace Twins – Dasara Diwali

People all over the Indian sub continent including the vast diaspora spread across the world celebrate the festivals of Dasara and Diwali with much fervour. These festivals, 21 days apart, are the triumph of good over evil. Festivals of victory and light. Festivals that dawned peace upon the land. But in terms of peace, there is a subtle difference between these two.

Though our history is filled with numerous stories on why we celebrate these festivals, let’s stick to the story of Ram. A prince adhering to the word of dharma (righteousness) was exiled for 14 years, faced hardships in the forest along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. Sita was abducted by King Ravan of Lanka. Ram builds an army from scratch and finally faces King Ravan in a fierce battle. Dasara is the victory of Ram over Ravan. The ushering of an era of peace. Dasara is peace.

Following the battle, Ram along with Sita and Lakshman return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after long years of exile and battle. His return was celebrated as Diwali. Ram was crowned as the King of Ayodhya. He introduced a moral code of law and order. He brought us into the path of Dharma. He built institutions and dawned a utopian rule of harmony and prosperity that have us striving for “Rama Rajya” today. Diwali is Positive Peace.

Why are sweets exchanged even with the most hostile neighbours on Diwali? Because Diwali makes us see beyond the conflict. Diwali shows us a world of positive and long-lasting peace. In today’s world context, peace is not enough. Winning a war is not the end goal. Peace is not the end goal. What comes after the war matters more. Countries must strive for Positive Peace. We must build a peace which creates an optimal environment for human potential to flourish. Positive Peace that makes it easier for artists to create, businesses to sell, entrepreneurs and scientists to innovate, individuals to produce, and governments to effectively regulate.

Let’s strive for such peace embodying the spirit of Dasara and Diwali.