Two friends, Kabir and Rohan, often met at a local tea stall after work to discuss their day. They had been friends since childhood, but they had very different views on politics. Kabir was passionate about his beliefs but consumed a lot of biased news from sensational TV channels and social media. Rohan, on the other hand, preferred reading balanced articles from reputed publications and engaging in thoughtful discussions.
One evening, as they sat sipping their masala chai, Kabir was animatedly talking about the upcoming elections. “Rohan, did you see how politician from the Alpha Party lied about the new policies? We should be outraged!” His eyes sparkled with anger.
Rohan listened but remained calm. “Kabir, have you thought about the reasons behind those policies? Maybe they have a different perspective. It’s important to understand the context.”
Kabir shook his head dismissively. “Context? What does that matter when they are making promises they can’t keep? We need to hold them accountable! The Alpha Party has failed us!”
As the days passed, the political climate became heated. The election campaigns were everywhere—on billboards, social media, and even the news. Kabir dove deeper into the chaos, filling his mind with negativity. He watched videos of protests, angry debates, and people shouting at each other, all presented by channels that fuelled his frustration. His frustration grew every day.
Meanwhile, Rohan continued to read articles that presented various viewpoints. He followed discussions that aimed to bridge differences rather than deepen divisions. He often shared these articles with Kabir, hoping to encourage him to see the bigger picture. “Look at this piece about how dialogue can help us understand each other better,” Rohan said one day, showing him an article that focused on cooperation and empathy.
“Rohan, that’s just wishful thinking! They are all corrupt! We need to fight against them!” Kabir replied, his voice rising. “If we don’t shout, they won’t listen!”
The day of the political rally finally arrived, and both friends decided to attend. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of supporters from different parties shouting slogans and waving flags. Kabir felt his heart race with excitement and anger. He was ready to confront anyone who disagreed with him.
As the rally started, the speakers began to hurl accusations at each other. Kabir listened intently as a prominent politician from the Alpha Party took the stage. “The Beta Party, is a bunch of liars! They want to ruin our country! Look at their track record! They have done nothing but betray the people!”
Kabir’s fists clenched. “Exactly! We need to make sure they pay for their lies!” he shouted, spurred on by the crowd’s cheers.
Next, a leader from the Beta Party responded, “The truth is, we cannot progress while being divided by anger! Your leaders are misleading you! Look at their failure to address the real issues: poverty, education, and healthcare!”
This comment ignited Kabir’s fury. “How dare they! They’ve done nothing for us!” He yelled, “We should hold them accountable, not let them slide!”
But then Rohan, standing beside him, felt uneasy. He could see how Kabir’s anger was escalating, and he knew this wasn’t how democracy should work. “Kabir, think about it! Is shouting really going to change anything?”
Suddenly, a speaker from the Beta Party stepped up. Instead of retaliating with anger, he called for unity and understanding. “Let us listen to each other instead of shouting. We can achieve more together than apart,” he said calmly. “Let’s not allow hatred to cloud our vision.”
Kabir was taken aback. His anger subsided for a moment as he listened to the speaker. But his frustration flared again when someone from the crowd yelled an insult. “You are all traitors! You don’t care about the nation!”
Kabir felt the urge to retaliate, ready to fight back. But then he glanced at Rohan, who was watching intently, a concerned look on his face. Rohan leaned closer and said, “Kabir, you are letting anger blind you. You consume anger-filled news and rally cries that only incite hatred. Look at how you are here fighting against your own friends! Is this really what you want?”
In that moment, Kabir felt a flicker of doubt. He realized how much he had allowed negative information to cloud his judgment. Memories of Rohan’s balanced discussions flooded his mind, contrasting sharply with the outrage he had soaked in. As he took a deep breath, the anger that had fuelled him began to dissipate, and a sense of confusion settled in.
Suddenly, the crowd erupted into chaos when a fight broke out. Kabir’s heart raced, but he felt detached, as if watching from a distance. In that moment of turmoil, something inside him shifted. He understood the futility of his anger—it only led to more conflict, just like the fight erupting around him.
After the rally, Kabir turned to Rohan, his face pale. “You were right, Rohan. I let anger take control of me. I see now that the information I consumed made me react this way. It was like a poison in my mind!”
Rohan nodded. “It’s never too late to change, Kabir. Remember, we are all part of this community. Understanding each other is the only way to move forward. Let’s promise to focus on constructive conversations and not let anger guide us.”
Kabir felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He realized the truth of Rohan’s words: anger may grab attention, but understanding and empathy would lead to true change. With newfound clarity, he made a vow to consume information that nurtured dialogue and unity, knowing that his choices could shape not just his mind but the world around him.
From that day on, Kabir sought balanced information and embraced the power of understanding, eager to engage in meaningful discussions with Rohan and others. Together, they embarked on a journey to promote dialogue, leaving anger behind and cultivating a more harmonious future.