A Bridge of Peace on the Cricket Field

A Bridge of Peace on the Cricket Field

      The upcoming cricket match between India and Pakistan on September 21 is not just a game; it is an opportunity to melt the ice that has long frozen relations between these two neighboring countries. Across India, reactions to this match are mixed—some are filled with excitement, while others are apprehensive. We have only recently emerged from a war-like situation; the haunting memories of Operation Sindoor, when tensions at the borders reached their peak, are still fresh. For over a decade, diplomatic ties between the two nations have been stalled, and this distance is not confined to governments—it has seeped into the hearts of the people. But have we forgotten that these two nations were once one? Born from the same soil, witnesses to the same history?

Think of the countless families torn apart by the line of partition, yet bound by the heart. There was a time when joy and sorrow brought them together—weddings, festivals, moments of reunion. But now, all that has come to a standstill, as if an unspoken wall has been erected. The cold winds of politics have shackled these bonds. My guru, Nirmala Deshpande, often said, “Not every matter is settled with bullets; some need words.” How true! Our wars, our tensions, our disputes—they are all our own. To end them, we need diplomatic efforts from both sides. But what fault lies with the common people? Especially the youth, who dream of friendship across borders, who long to shake hands on the playing field.

Global circumstances hold a mirror to us. When people from these countries, nestled along the Indian Ocean, meet abroad—in the USA, UK, or Dubai—they embrace each other with such warmth. There, no enmity exists, only a shared culture, language, and memories. But the moment we return to our homelands, everything changes. Why? Because politics and diplomatic systems force us apart. People want to go on pilgrimages—from Amarnath to Ajmer Sharif—and explore each other’s cultures through tourism. But borders, visas, and tensions crush these dreams. Isn’t it tragic that those who live like siblings abroad become enemies at home?

Yet, there is a ray of hope—sport. Cricket is not just a game; it is an ocean of emotions. If the match on September 21 is played in the true spirit of sportsmanship, it could mark the beginning of friendship, brotherhood, and peace. Recall those old matches where, beyond victory or defeat, players embraced one another. Can we bring back that era? Where the language of the bat and ball speaks louder than words, where the applause in stadiums erases borders. This match should not just be won on the scoreboard but in the hearts of people. After all, peace begins with small steps—a match, a handshake, a smile.

Let us all come together to make this match a bridge of peace. For, in the end, we are all parts of the same family—divided, but unbreakable.

Ram Mohan Rai 

Panipat

14.09.2025