The disgusting war hysteria!

The rivalry between Pakistan and India is not dissimilar but the latest turn of events has established a very intense situation between the two countries. 72 years have passed and it is certainly sure that both the countries never really got along and the rivalry has maintained for many years. In my own opinion, I really think that Pakistan and India can never be friends. It is a huge profession but the extreme opposition has reached a point that it is highly improbable for both the countries to ever be on friendly terms. However, I believe in the philosophy of never say never.

“I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.” George Mcgovern

Kashmir is the main point of conflict between the two countries and recently, the Pulwama attack claimed the lives of 41 Indian soldiers. This event occurred on 14th February and ever since the situation between the two countries has been deteriorating with every passing day. There were air strikes, payloads and what not. Many people lost their lives on both sides of the border and it will continue repeating if the war hysteria does not stop. During this critical time, I was actually astounded by the stance of a few individuals on social media, they actually wanted the war to happen. Without knowing the consequences of a war between two nuclear states, these few individuals were busy in warmongering through their tweets and posts. Quite honestly, I was shocked because this mentality is sick. They were rooting for their respective countries but the point is they desired war. I am not pointing out any one country because these users were from both India and Pakistan.
War is never the solution to any problem rather it creates more problems and holds the way for any solution. I have heard terrifying stories about the war from my parents and grandparents. Trust me, war takes away a lot and generations suffer the consequences.

“Nothing is more barbarous than war. Nothing is more cruel... Nothing is more pitiful than a nation being swept along by fools.” Daisaku Ikeda.

I will quote a few incidents that I heard from my family. My grandfather had a haveli in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur. In 1971 there was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that transpired during the liberation war in East Pakistan, there was turmoil in Kot Radha Kishan. The haveli was painted white and when there was a foresight of air strikes targeting the area, the whole village reached our haveli and tossed cow dung and mud all over it so that it would not be noticeable when there was a closedown. There was not much navigation technology so the air strikes would target the regions where they would observe any light or traces of life (presence of population). At that time, there were not many technological advancements as well so there would be sirens intimating the villages and areas to shut down any kind of light in their homes or elsewhere. People would immediately shut down any light. My grandmother narrates an incident regarding the shutdown of lights, she was cooking and the stove was turned on. There was a siren and when she couldn't find a way to shut light from the stove, she placed her dupatta on the stove so that no light would be noticeable, the dupatta caught fire and she got injured but such was the fear of war. Our haveli was near the railway station and Changa Manga border so my father clearly recollects that whenever they would be bombing on the border, they would sense the shaking of their own home. There was a constant fear of an attack. However, another thing that is highly worthy of mentioning is that people of Pakistan were very passionate and supportive of the army. My grandmother recalls that when there was a call for war, everyone from their area collected food items from their own homes like achar, roti or any prepared salan and gave them away to the soldiers passing by the area.
The 1971 war has passed years ago but still, the people who have faced the war remember each and every incident very precisely because when a war befalls, the whole nation is involved in the war contrary to the common belief that only army men fight on the borders. The people who support or root the idea of war must understand that whenever a war would occur, each and every Pakistani and Indian would be involved in it. It is very easy to write posts and tweet from the comfort of your own house but when a war occurs, nobody can stay aloof. Next time, think before you write any war encouraging tweets or posts.