A New Year’s call : From memory to action, from conflict to peace

Chongboi Haokip, MCIHort
I would like to share heartfelt thoughts from my visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as we are in a reflective mood, ready to welcome 2026. Anne’s words, “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again,” moved me deeply.
The turning of a calendar year is profoundly meaningful beyond mere numbers. There comes a time when humanity collectively pauses to assess what has been lost and what might be gained; it represents a threshold. Honestly, it is inspirational to see that many of us choose courage over comfort, action over silence, and peace over ongoing conflict, as many can now see the destructiveness in this conflict.
Lessons from Amsterdam’s Narrow Streets
I stood outside the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam this year, on a cool summer evening, surrounded by visitors from around the world. Despite differences in language and culture across the globe, we shared a clear understanding of our purpose in this human journey.
The ticket booking opened 6 weeks before the visit date, and we were fortunate to secure a ticket. It was incredible that the line ran long past sunset, even past 9 pm. We walked through rooms that held both human cruelty and human strength-human tragedy and its overcoming-it was worth waiting !
Inside, Anne Frank’s words speak across decades with sharp clarity as we go through the rooms. Incredible that here stands a young girl whose voice refused silence while hatred destroyed her family, her community, and millions of others. Her father survived the concentration camps and returned alone, carrying the weight of being the sole remnant of his family. The lesson from this tragedy feels immediate and universal. In reality, intolerance demands a high cost, seen in broken families, erased futures, and muted voices in society.
Walking through the museum, visitors face an uncomfortable truth that the Holocaust did not appear overnight. Human tragedy occurs when we choose silence over courage, and small acts of discrimination build up. How long can we be silent ? History repeats itself, and we witness that evildoers tend to win, advancing through the actions of perpetrators, as the witnesses remain in action. Absolutely, Anne Frank’s Story, Our Lesson that lives on !
The Weight of Silence in Contemporary Conflicts
Of course, we have a historical lesson to learn, as it is of relevance to the conflicts unfolding in Manipur today. Communities have endured prolonged violence across ethnic lines, mostly not by choice. Violence tore apart the social bond that generations had built. Families live in fear, and children grow up with trauma instead of security. Cycles of violence and retaliation offer grief. Many people move forward and act for peace and restoration.
The truth is clear : when we choose silence in the face of suffering, we support its continuation, as there is no such thing as half in/half out in this matter. Silence favours those who hold power through violence. Public dialogue can be challenging as it can counter the momentum. We open space for alternative futures when we speak openly about our pain, personal experiences/testimonies, and a shared desire for peace, am I right?
Future generations are also victimised, as the ongoing crisis in Manipur affects not just those directly involved. Sadly, children who witness violence inherit trauma, and they learn patterns of mistrust and hostility that shape their understanding of how communities relate to one another. Breaking this cycle requires extraordinary courage from all sides of the conflict and from everyone in Manipuri society, as we are all affected in one way or another.
Faith, Conscience, and Moral Clarity
Spiritual belief guides personal action as moral conviction often grows from a faith rooted in dignity and compassion. Conscience points toward justice and demands courage under pressure. Like me, I sincerely believe I need to advocate for peace, trusting that God has given me the strength to stand up for my convictions for His glory.  History remembers those who held firm despite cost and time; from our standpoint in Manipur, and of course, views and recollections will vary.
In Manipur’s multi ethnic society, coexistence stands as a moral duty and a practical need. Respect for identity strengthens peace and shared progress. As a Thadou tribe community member, the current conflict has taught me lessons about Manipur's multi-ethnic society; the importance of commitment to peaceful coexistence as a practical necessity and a moral imperative. I am very proud of our Thadou community leaders, who have openly stood for peace, non-violence, justice, and truth-telling from the start of the conflict till today and will continue to do so !
Of course, I also give great respect for leaders and individuals from other communities who risk their lives to defend peace and reject violence. Their courage recalls Aristotle’s words- “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.”
Unity and Collective Action : Manipur's Fight Against Opium
In Manipur, the opium poppy war and the current conflict go hand in hand. It is inspirational to see communities united around a shared goal in the fight against opium cultivation. “War on Drugs” was launched under Chief Minister N Biren Singh in 2018 and continues still under the current administration. It stands among India’s most ambitious efforts to stop drug cultivation at its source and moves in the right direction. Cooperation from all stakeholders, along with rehabilitation programs and alternative solutions, will support lasting change.
Some civil society groups reached consensus through dialogue to ban illicit poppy cultivation. Armed groups must also commit for the sake of future generations. Support for Government action strengthens the fight against drugs. Collective effort targets social harm, environmental damage, economic traps, and moral decline. Accountability and unity drive real change.
We urge all community leaders to initiate united action to end illicit poppy cultivation and the drug trade to support the campaign. Community initiative efforts build trust and restore dignity to drive real change on ground. Youth gain hope for futures free from addiction and violence.
From Reflection to Action
As Anne wrote, “What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” We cannot change the past, but we need to move on for our own well-being and for future generations, so this unfortunate thing does not happen again. Today, Anne’s diary serves as a call to conscience, urging courage and compassion and warning against normalising prejudice. Her story shows how evil begins with small acts of avoidance. As the saying goes, “every little help”, individual voices carry weight, and we need to play our part right!
Yes, one voice against injustice helps others act with courage. Shared commitments for peace build momentum and break cycles of fear. We need to do the right thing, as memory and renewal stand side by side at the start of a new year. Yes, we do have a choice too; each person can choose between continued violence/hatred and lasting peace ! Every community includes people who support peace and people who oppose peace. Now is the time for peace-loving voices to step forward and lead our society. Let normalcy return to our society and build mutual respect and a clear understanding of one another!
The Path Forward
Let us reflect on our own outlook on life and how we can do better in the future. Let us not be afraid to make mistakes, as realisation can set us right in the long run. An empathetic view is crucial in shaping stronger communities, and those innocent children deserve a future free from inherited hatred. From my personal journey, I have found that inner peace with God strengthens peace with others. Progress relies on empathy, dialogue, and unity. Restoration demands patience and persistence. What a beautiful thing-Hope guides life and sustains dreams when people commit to shared humanity and linked futures.
May the coming year bring healing to wounded hearts across Manipur and everywhere communities struggle with conflict, lessons be embedded in history in guiding present action toward justice and reconciliation. Also, we find the courage to speak when silence seems safer, to act when indifference seems easier, and to hope when despair seems justified.
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous New Year 2026 begins with the changing of hearts and minds committed to building something better and beautiful! God bless all.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV.  May this truth of renewal guide us into a year of genuine peace and restoration for God’s glory!
Statement : I do not support illegal poppy cultivation. I support sustainable alternatives that strengthen society and help affected farmers in Manipur. I stand firmly behind the Manipur Government's  "War on Drugs" campaign. As a strong, united community, we must work alongside government agencies that are helping farmers abandon illegal poppy farming. We, the people of Manipur, can eliminate unlawful poppy cultivation through collective effort. I call upon the entire Manipur community to unite as one team in this fight against illegal cultivation of poppy, working together to create sustainable livelihoods and a healthier future for all.

The writer is an international development consultant specialising in agriculture, horticulture, trade facilitation, and sustainable development