In Ireland, a candle placed in the window signalled to travelling priests that the home was a safe haven for Catholics, who were persecuted in Britain from 1534 to the 1800s. The phrase became a symbol for hope, an incentive to keep going.

As people search alternate news sources to make sense of the seismic changes that threaten to affect everyday lives, some sharing guidelines to survive a nuclear attack, others identifying do-it-yourself (DIY) methods to generate electricity, they feel like sitting ducks in the crossfire of petulant, warring oligarchs.

“Karain tau kya karain [If we act, what could we do?]” is on everyone’s minds. Massive street protests, parliamentary debates, impassioned UN Security Council speeches, International Court of Justice rulings — all seem to fall on deaf ears.

And then we see images of Palestinian youths smiling as they are taken to the gallows, after the Israeli parliament voted last month for the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners. Those smiles carry the real power — the power of the undefeated.

Even in times of despair, the flame of hope is kept alive by those who have the conviction to take a stand

Even in........

© Dawn (Magazines)