It won’t bring any surprise to the reader when the pages of history are turned from ancient time to till date because many pages were filled with war. Group war between different groups of Stone Age was the first starting which never ended though several centuries passed since then. From emperors to small kings waged war against other countries either alone or in combination with friendly countries in order to expand kingdom, plunder wealth and for other reasons.

In 356 BC, Greece born Alexander the Great, everyone in history name him as Great but whether really a great personality or not is left to individuals, began war at the age of 22 with nations near and far, from Egypt, Persia, Europe, Asia up to India for 11 continuous years until he died at 33. When he left Macedonia, his army was very big comprising about 40,000 soldiers and reinforced then and there with additional strength of soldiers from conquering countries. During his fierce battle with opponents, tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides were killed, many lost arms, legs and severely injured. Why these deaths, mutilation and injuries warranted? Just for Alexander and his will to rule the entire world. For one person’s ambition, several people lost their life in the war, many women folks became widow, children became orphans and hundreds of families were ruined. Was it necessary?

Following Alexander, Napoleon Bonaparte from France, 1769 born, warred with many European countries, was responsible for the killings of thousands of men in his army in the battle. There were small to big kings ruled India long ago also killed hundreds of soldiers. World War 1, World War 2, Independence wars post world war 2, Indo China war, Indo Pakistan war, there were many in history until the recent Kargil war.

The great two epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata details war and justify also. Kalinga war which brought realization to King Asoka on the cruelty in the battle field and the painful scenes there led him halting the war and transformed into Buddhism.

In the ancient time, bow and arrows were used in the war along with horse and elephants to kill enemies but after the invention of bombs, the modern war weapons include machine gun, tank, rocket, missile, war plane, submarine and ships. With the help of science and technology very much sophisticated instruments are deployed to spy, monitor and trap the enemies during war time.

In any war, human life is lost, the families of deceased person suffer, injured personnel undergo hardship to live, children of their family go uncared and the people of that country taxed heavily. Lack of resources to rebuild the nation pushes back the country to 20 years behind. Many join in military as an employment to them. Unlike other employment, the life risk is heavy in this employment. Rulers of any nation must think hundreds of time to wage war with any country for any reason because in war, humans (soldiers) are at stake not the decision makers. Rulers simply sitting in their political cabin declare the war but never visit the war front and do not bother about imminent panic death that pursue the beginning of war. War never brings peace.

War is other form of disaster, threat to life and devastation of property. When a person kills another due to angry or adversity, law takes care of him and he is punished. While a leader kills hundreds of his soldiers in the name of war and animosity with other country leader, the leader must be brought into the cage by the people of the country and see him punished for war crime by death. Therefore, war is not a solution for any dispute. Discussion and talk must be held several rounds with and without mediation until it is resolved. Every citizen has the right to live with his full life in peace without the fear of war. We will uphold this right and unite to fight against the idea of war always and spearhead to promulgate to other countries in the international arena.

V.Natarajan

E-mail: v_natarajanin@yahoo.co.in