A SALUTE TO PEACEMAKERS

Bhoomi Kotwani, TY BAJMC

Standing at the border with an impassive look, knowing the risk of life involved, never knowing if one would be able to see their family again, and still showing no sign of fear, is unimaginable. I am a patriot and have immense love for my country, but I still cannot think of being able to risk my time of living to protect a piece of land and the people I do not know living on it. Nonetheless, some people live for it. They are called soldiers. The people who do the unimaginable. It has to count for something, and it matters for peace.

Everyone talks about peaceful co-existence, but how do we keep it up? How do we maintain peace? By being ready for war and the soldiers do just that. In this already made system with the constant chase for power, the confidence with which the soldiers stand, showing the world that they will go far and beyond for their nation, stops everyone from calling war. They show that the country is ready and alert. Their courage reflects the nation's strength and unity, giving everyone second thought to war.

Peace to me is being courageous and ready for conflict. Owing to the idea of most of us realizing that it is not always unicorns and rainbows, there is always a set of downs with every up. That's what life is all about. Opposites. Accordingly, to support one side, you must be ready for the possibility of the other because negligence gets you nowhere but to the problem. No other person is as prepared for war as a soldier. Every night, going to bed after looking at a picture of their family, never knowing if they will make it tomorrow. If they do make it, they are not thankful to live another day but to serve another day.

Even a soldier does not want war but is ready for it at any moment, and that spirit in itself gives a message, loud and clear, a message of peace. A message showing no one stepping down means everyone getting hurt, leading to the wise option of a peaceful settlement. Being ready for war never means looking forward to it. It sends a message. The display of strength makes the people looking for a fight to breakout look elsewhere. The reason for it is that exhibiting power aims toward peace.

They are ready for war so that the people of their country are at peace. They are prepared for war so that we feel safe and secure in our motherland. The significant part is that they are happy doing just that like they are built for it. They do not even care about what they are getting out of it; they just want to protect and serve. Soldiers are synonymous with the words fighters and warriors. These terms have the words fight and war in them, but they are the ones keeping the peace. They are the peacemakers.