We are the World Blogfest (#WATWB) focuses on positive stories no matter where they’re found. It is all about spreading peace and humanity on social media.
For the past few months India has been in a state of turmoil, and in the past week, it has flared into riots in the country’s capital, New Delhi.
I’ve spent years in Delhi, and have been to some of the neighborhoods worst affected by the violence in the course of my earlier work life. There has been murder and mayhem on those streets, and my social media has exploded with accusations and counter-accusations from both sides, those who support the party in power and those who oppose it.
It is hard to pin the blame on one particular faction because the divide is regularly deepened by politicians of all stripes. But in the midst of the riots, we found the spirit of WATWB, In darkness be the light in the news of the two communities coming together:
- One Muslim man huddled two of his Hindu friends in his small hut to protect them from frenzied Muslim mob outside.
- A message of peace from a man who was saved by his neighbours
- A Hindu man risked his life to save his six Muslim neighbors when an uncontrollable mob torched their home.
Many common folk have lost their lives, 38 at last count, a dead Hindu intelligence officer and a constable and I’m sure others, and Muslims as well, including some who got caught in the mayhem while grocery shopping. The hatred is fanned by politicians, but the common man who has suffered the most in these riots has stood up for his neighbours, irrespective of creed.
While my heart is in deep unrest at the state of affairs in New Delhi, it is also reassured by these heroic acts of humanity. Hope is not yet dead for all of us.
What acts of true humanity have you witnessed? What positive stories do you have to share for We are the world Blogfest?
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This post was the latest installment of the monthly We Are the World Blogfest: I’d like to invite you to join, if you haven’t as yet, to post the last Friday of each month a snippet of positive news that shows our essential, beautiful humanity.
This month’s co-hosts, Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath,
Peter Nena, Eric Lahti, and Belinda Witzenhausen welcome participants and encourage all to join in.
Here’s a sampler of this blogfest. Click here to know more. Sign up here and add your bit of cheer to the world on the next installment.
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I believe the mainstream media networks fan the flames of hatred as much as politicians. Most don’t do it intentionally or directly, but indirectly by the amount of time and energy they put into stories of violence and conflict. Yes, we need to know about those things, but not as the most prevalent or highlighted events. Thank you for being part of the effort to add balance and light to the world by sharing these positive stories of goodness.
So sorry to hear of the disruptions to life in beloved Bharat Mata.
This is such a wonderful initiative and needed so very much Damyanti. I wish we had more voices like you…Spreading hope, not fear. Thank you!
Thanks Sonia. Join in anytime you like.
While I understand the context in which you are using the words Muslim and Hindu , what really matters is not their religion. Or overcoming social and religious barriers but the plain and simple humanity that matters . Why must we emphasise their difference? These people have to be praised merely for their compassion towards a fellow being
Fortunately, I have never had to witness that level of violence, on that scale anyway. I find in chaos, although there is a mob mentality, there are also those who step up and show their humanity. Thanks so much for sharing those hero’s of humanity. Hope you have a fantastic week!😊
How lovely to learn of positive stories amid the chaos and fear.
Huge thanks to them, and to those who spread the word.
Thank you for sharing!.. it is sad that closed minded elements of world societies are creating conflict, anger and suffering rather than coming together and peacefully working out a solution that is good for all!.. 🙂
“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom”. Isaac Asimov
I’m very sorry to ear about the riots and resulting deaths. That humanity shines brightly even in troubled times is very uplifting. I will keep all in my prayers that the leaders of the unrest will come to their senses and stop the needless acts of defiance. It is always uplifting when there are those who risk their safety to do what is right and humane. Hugs, my dear Damyanti.
Thank you for sharing these positive stories Damayanti.. hope is all we have. You’re right when you say we can specifically point at any one party.. but what saddens me is to see no action being taken to control the violence. At this hour, it seems like the strength and kindness of the common man is all we have.
We need more such stories to make people see sense in the futility of such riots .. the loss is just ours 😕
I was very sorry to hear about the riots and the deaths. From what I’ve read, the current president of India is not helping matters but we get a lot of misinformation over here.
True humanity is reaching out to all others in need – that is what we are to do. Be a light in the darkness.
It’s heartening to read about these bright moments in the midst of such hatred and violence.
It’s encouraging to know people are banding together and helping each other, despite their differences. I’ll never understand the horrible intolerance that permeates the world. Religion seems to trigger more bloodshed than anything else. Appalling! Thank you for sharing the stories of individuals who put caring for their fellow humans above all else.
Hi Damyanti – I’ve been following the news … but do desperately hope we can live peacefully together … the riots and horrors of Delhi are so sad … I just don’t understand why people want to kill others – we’re all human … take care – and with a great many thoughts … Hilary
I hope things settle down for you very soon.
Those are wonderful stories for unbelievable reasons. I don’t know what’s going on around the world. Tolerance seems extinct.
We’ve been hearing about this in the news here in the UK. It’s very sad. I’ve been to New Delhi myself, and I thought it was a lovely city – sadly, it never seems to take that much to spark off trouble, anywhere in the world. It’s heartening to hear these more positive stories.
Damyanti, it saddens me to think of so much hate and violence in the world. Thanks for these pieces of humanity, where precious lives take priority over politics, religion and evil. Thanks for showing that there are still people who love and care for others.