In recent times, anyone following the news in India cannot escape the constant coverage of geopolitical tensions and war in the Gulf region. Headlines are dominated by conflict, strategy, and power dynamics. Yet for many ordinary people, it is difficult to comprehend how highly educated leaders arrive at decisions that result in such devastating consequences. One cannot help but wonder—what drives these conflicts, and at what cost?
The human cost of war is immense. While much attention is given to the nations directly involved, the ripple effects extend far beyond borders. Families are disrupted, futures are uncertain, and the most vulnerable—women and children—bear the deepest scars. But there is another, quieter impact that often goes unnoticed: the effect of war on the minds of children growing up in a world saturated with such news.
I recently witnessed this firsthand. At the dining table, my grandchildren—aged 9, 8, and 5—were engaged in a serious discussion about the ongoing conflict. Each of them was trying to identify “who is against whom.” One confidently claimed it was the United States versus two others, while another insisted it was Iran against the rest. What struck me was not just their awareness, but the way their young minds were framing the situation—as sides, enemies, and opposition.
It raises an important question: Is this what we want our children to grow up thinking about? Should their conversations revolve around war and conflict, or around peace, cooperation, and harmony?
War not only disrupts nations; it disrupts dreams. Young people across the world are affected—whether through restricted global mobility, education uncertainty, or the psychological burden of an unstable world. Surprisingly, these human aspects receive very little attention in mainstream discussions. News channels and debates largely focus on trade, supply chains, and economic consequences, while the impact on education, aspirations, and young lives remains in the background.
This is where educators and academic institutions must pause and reflect. What kind of future are we shaping through our education system? Are we preparing the next generation to lead in the same way current leaders do—driven by power and conflict? Or are we nurturing individuals who value peace, empathy, and understanding?
True peace is not merely the absence of war; it begins within. It requires harmony within oneself, within families, within organizations, and within nations. Unless individuals learn to be content, to manage their desires, and to rise above greed, conflicts will continue to arise in different forms.
These are not new ideas. They are deeply rooted in Indian thought and tradition, reflected in teachings such as the Bhagavad Gita and the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized inner discipline, non-violence, and the power of peaceful coexistence.
It is time we bring these conversations back into our classrooms. Let us encourage discussions not just about global conflicts, but about conflict resolution. Let us teach children not only to analyze the world, but to improve it.
So that one day, when children sit around the dining table, their conversations are not about who is the enemy, but about how peace can be built.