I read the news report with a smile—one of those polite, tight-lipped smiles you give when someone’s trying to sell you something you know you already paid for.
It said, “Zelensky calls Modi; Modi tells him efforts should be made to find a peaceful solution to the war.”
Ah! Great words. Noble words. The kind of lines that look good on a plaque, right next to “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Save Water, Drink Coffee.” But then I read the details.
Turns out that Zelensky called Modi mainly to explain—that if India stopped buying oil from Russia, it would help end the war. In other words, “Dear India, the keys to peace are partly in your pocket.” And our Prime Minister responded with, “Yes, there should be peace.”
Ah! It’s a bit like my neighbour telling me the roof of your house is leaking into his bedroom, and you replying, “Yes, everyone should live in a dry house.”
The problem isn’t the words—we’re very good at words. Oh, we can churn out lofty statements faster than a politician’s media team can tweet them. We talk of “peaceful coexistence,” “justice for all,” “inclusive growth,” and “world’s largest democracy.” The trouble is, the world—and our own people—are beginning to notice that the walk is limping far behind the talk.
You see, it’s one thing to speak about a peaceful solution in a war 5,000 kilometres away; it’s quite another to make decisions that actually help bring about that peace. Likewise, it’s easy to say we’re the “world’s largest democracy” when speaking at an international summit; it’s harder to ensure that dissent is respected, the press is free, and justice isn’t selective.
If we don’t start matching our actions to our declarations, we’ll soon find our credibility slipping away like soap in a slippery bathroom. And believe me, once you’ve lost credibility, it’s very hard to get it back. You can’t keep sending opposition delegations abroad to “explain” our position if no one believes our domestic story in the first place.
The world today doesn’t just listen—it fact-checks. The moment we make a statement, there are a thousand analysts, journalists, and Twitter users (with more time on their hands than sense in their heads) ready to see if our deeds match our declarations. And if they don’t, well—screenshots last forever.
So whether it’s stopping wars abroad or ensuring justice at home, the formula is the same: Don’t just say it—do it. Let’s put our money where our mouth is, or to put it in simpler terms, let’s back our words with action. Because words without action are like promises without delivery—they may sound sweet at first, but they leave a bitter aftertaste.
Let’s remember, history doesn’t remember the speeches—it remembers the steps taken after them.
So yes, Mr. Prime Minister, the world needs peace. But sometimes, peace needs a little help… from those who say they believe in it…!
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
