It happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918: World War I, a brutal clash that tore through nations and lives, formally ended. This day, etched in history, became Remembrance Day, symbolized by the resilient red poppy—a tribute to the fallen and a hope for peace.
World War I, which raged from 1914 to 1918, saw the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire—engage in fierce conflict with the Allied Powers, including Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
The human cost was staggering. Over 16 million soldiers and civilians perished, leaving families shattered, cities in ruins, and a world struggling to comprehend the devastation.
Remembrance Day is our solemn reminder of that armistice—a pause, a ceasefire, and, for many, a chance to honour those who sacrificed everything. But it is also a day to reflect on the broader implications: Why war? Why do millions die for decisions made by those who rarely set foot on the battlefield?
The story of war, told through the lens of patriotism, can seem noble—the brave soldiers who fought for freedom, the sacrifices that paved the way for a safer world.
Yet, when we strip away the heroism, we see a darker truth. The “necessity” of war often boils down to power struggles, territorial ambitions, or political agendas pursued by those who never face the consequences. The battlefield is a divided stage where humanity itself is marked as the enemy and where people, mere pawns in a game of power, face horrific fates.
The loss transcends soldiers’ lives. Wars destroy families, orphan children, leave partners grieving, and level schools, homes, and hospitals—setting societies back for decades. They drain global resources, divert funds from vital human needs, and lead to cascading consequences that no victory can justify.
And yet, war’s cycle continues, with national leaders safely ensconced in their command centres while ordinary people endure the horrors. Today, leaders like Putin and Zelensky, Netanyahu and Hamas commanders, sit in their secure quarters as thousands perish in conflicts that leave scars across generations.
World War I, World War II, and the myriad ongoing conflicts have drained trillions of global resources—money that could otherwise nourish, educate, and uplift lives.
And amid this carnage, we hear whispers of hope: “Who subha kabhi to ayegi,” translation: (hope)that morning will come one day; when there are no more wars, nations dissolve their armies, factories stop manufacturing deadly bombs, missiles, tanks, AK-47s, etc., and the rulers talk and seek peace rather fight. That would signal my Remembrance Day.
-Promod Puri
Promod Puri.com 