As we enter 2026, the urgent call for peace resonates in a world increasingly marked by violence and division, prompting reflection on collective efforts to foster harmony.
As 2026 begins, the desire for peace feels both urgent and fragile amidst a backdrop of turmoil and suffering. In a world rife with escalating violence, many are left wondering how they can contribute to a more peaceful future.
This reflective essay features a unique collaboration between an aunt and her niece, Swarna Rajagopalan and Maitreyi Kaptijn, who have been working together on a creative peace project since 2018. Their annual initiative serves as a reminder that peace is not merely a wish but a practice cultivated through small, sustained acts of remembrance and care.
Maitreyi, who attends school in the Netherlands, spends her summers in Chennai, where Swarna resides. Each year, they commemorate the anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki through a creative collaborative project. Their partnership has evolved since Maitreyi was just seven years old, with Swarna as a middle-aged professor, and has remained a cherished tradition.
Every August, between the 6th and the 9th, their creative process unfolds in a similar manner. They begin by reading and discussing topics that capture their attention, brainstorming ideas for their project, and deciding on the medium they wish to use. Their collaborative efforts often blend words and illustrations, resulting in a unique expression each year.
Over the years, their projects have taken various forms. In 2018, they created a picture book filled with haikus and drawings. The following year, they composed a song about human rights, which Maitreyi performed on her ukulele. In 2020, they wrote and illustrated a short story about the bombings. In 2021, they engaged with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, drafting a simple Citizens’ Treaty that encouraged signatories to commit to disarmament. Their first signatories were family members and friends.
In 2023, inspired by the Doomsday Clock, they crafted a long poem titled “What time is it now?” which Maitreyi performed for their family, accompanied by a poster showcasing the poem.
For their 2024 project, they envisioned an ambitious initiative centered around paper cranes, a symbol of peace popularized by Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded cranes while battling leukemia after being exposed to radiation from the Hiroshima bombing. Sadako’s story has transformed the paper crane into a lasting emblem of remembrance, resilience, and hope for a world free of nuclear violence.
Maitreyi began by folding beautiful paper cranes, while Swarna attempted but struggled with the task. They then selected peace slogans from the internet and designed postcards featuring photographs of the cranes using Canva. The postcards were printed and shared during a “launch party,” where guests were invited to create their own paper cranes and write letters on the postcards, which were later mailed out.
This annual collaboration holds significant meaning for both Maitreyi and Swarna. It represents their commitment to promoting world peace and serves as an enjoyable way to engage with complex topics. Through their projects, they explore various aspects of peace and disarmament, reflecting on their roles in fostering a more harmonious world.
Through their experiences, both have gained valuable insights. Maitreyi notes, “I have learnt a lot about how actions and decisions made by governments relate to wars and peace, often with little regard for the people affected, as seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”
Swarna shares her struggles with feelings of despair and helplessness in the face of overwhelming global issues. “This annual activity with Maitreyi renews my will to do my best,” she says. They also learn new skills from each other during their collaborative efforts, reinforcing the belief that no contribution is too small.
Does it matter if one girl and her aunt take the time to draw pictures and write words? They believe it does. Their creative activities not only strengthen their bond but also foster awareness about pressing issues that affect everyone.
<p“More awareness among people is very important. If more individuals realize the impact of peace, we can help prevent tragedies like Hiroshima and Nagasaki from occurring again,” Maitreyi asserts.
Swarna emphasizes that the lessons learned extend beyond their own collaboration. “Each person we share the project with learns not just about that year’s theme but also that anyone can contribute to peace efforts wherever they are,” she explains.
In recent years, the world has witnessed a troubling escalation of violence, both between nations and within communities. This normalization of violence permeates attitudes, speech, and interactions. Every moment spent contemplating this reality and reflecting on how it can change helps to counteract this trend.
For Maitreyi and Swarna, their contribution lies in dedicating time to reflect on the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the current circumstances that pose dangers, and finding ways to express their feelings about these issues.
This year, their New Year card embodies their wish for world peace, illustrated with the soft colors of a rosy dawn and featuring a photo of a tiny paper crane from their annual peace project. They extend their heartfelt wish for peace to all.
Maitreyi Kaptijn, 14, is a middle school student in the Netherlands, while Swarna Rajagopalan is a peace educator and political scientist based in India. Their collaborative efforts highlight the importance of individual contributions to the collective pursuit of peace.
This article was first published in Sapan News.