Peace Is More Than Just the Absence of War
Peace is as elusive as a butterfly, difficult to catch yet vital for the advancement of humankind. Thousands of years ago, our rishis composed Vedic hymns and Shanti Mantras, invoking peace on the earth and in the skies, waters, winds, plants and herbs — and within our hearts and minds.
Peace is not inherent in any living being. Animals fight for survival, food and the safety of their offspring. We humans fight for all of this and more, indulging in conflicts over name, fame, power, wealth, land, religion, ethnic identity and language. While animals act on pure instinct, humans possess a unique gift, “Neer-Ksheer Vivek” — the ability to discern good from bad, to choose benevolence over personal greed, and harmony over discord.
Peace is far deeper than the mere absence of war. It does not originate in formal treaties, nor can it be imposed by force. It must be nurtured with sincerity and understanding. Peace has to be built on a foundation of strength, not vulnerability.
The concept of peace has guided me in my pursuit of harmony. Contesting for the District Governorship of Rotary in 1975, I chose to bypass the prevalent practice of campaigning and maligning the opponent. After winning, my wife and I visited my disappointed rival at his home, not to sympathise but to express our goodwill, resulting in a bond of everlasting friendship. It reaffirmed my belief that true leadership is never about defeating others or proving your superiority; it is about nurturing relationships, mutual dignity and fostering harmony.
As the President of Rotary International in 1991-92, I challenged Rotarians worldwide to “Look Beyond Yourself”. Enthused by this message, a Rotary Club in Australia introduced the concept of “Peace Cities”, encouraging communities to actively work towards peace and non-violence. My efforts led to the creation of the Peace Monument at Sukhna Lake and Chandigarh being recognised as a Rotary Peace City in 2003. My visit to the United Nations, where I shared the stage with world leaders — the session was moderated by Audrey Hepburn, UN Goodwill Ambassador and movie star — further enhanced my perspective. Her profound dedication to suffering children demonstrated that peace, at its core, means dignity, care and hope.
I proposed the establishment of Rotary Peace Centres in several universities for a special curriculum in conflict resolution and peace-building. The inaugural class of 70 Rotary Peace Fellows was launched in 2002 across seven global universities. The goal was to train “soldiers for the army of peace” who would work with governments and civil society to guide, mediate and assist communities toward reconciliation, accord and peaceful cooperation. India became a part of this global peace network with the inauguration of Rotary’s eighth Peace Centre at Symbiosis International University, Pune, in 2025.
To me, peace means a world free from hunger, disease, injustice and despair. Peace is possible — and it starts with you and me.
The writer is a former world president, Rotary International.
