I am sharing the Foreword for the Anthology, Creating a Better World, written by Vandita Dharni, Chief Literary Ambassador for India, in the Literary Forum of How to Write for Success:
"Life in its manifold hues unfolds many
layered experiences, steeped in a gamut of emotions. They are triggered by
external factors like wars, animosity, and environmental degradation.
Peace almost seems an unattainable goal yet
it flows into tributaries of love, and humanity to carve a better world. Peace
is the destination that brings hope to a world that does not want to compromise
with sustainability and where complacency has no place.
‘Creating A Better World’ is an anthology of
sensitive and gifted poets who raised their voices for the cause of peace,
humanity and sustainability.
Brenda Mohammed and Anganie Ramsaroop, have
painstakingly sifted, edited and compiled the poems. In this treasure trove,
peace resonates in the core of the poets’ consciousness where their poems are
sculpted. Words can either wound or heal however poetry heals and purges the
soul of a poet.
Trinidadian Author, Brenda Mohammed, the Founder
of the prominent Facebook group, ‘How to Write for Success Literary Network’
has very profoundly highlighted the pollutants of the world like crime, abuse, and environmental pollution that sow selfishness and animosity in
impressionable minds. She also goes on to reiterate that:
‘Removing these pollutants should be our
ultimate goal
in our aim to create a better world.
Change must begin with each of us.
It begins deep inside us, in our hearts.’
Florabelle Lutchman, Chief Literary
Ambassador – Trinidad and Tobago, completely endorses the fact that peace is
imperative and must never be compromised with:
‘Peace must be attained by all
So no one will engender a fall.
Cruelty, hate, and anger need to be
eradicated completely
So we can all live a life of peace and
tranquillity.
Timothy Di Vito, Literary Ambassador - USA,
prefers to present a more optimistic approach to the problem:
‘each dawn surely has a promising horizon,
by seeing hope in every single step you
travel now,
journeys not taken, is destiny lost.’
Peace is a metaphorical bird with wings, is
a truly vivid description by Dasharath Naik:
‘In quest of a peaceful shelter
With deep-rooted strength
They are flapping wings
And heading in flock or pair.’
Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo, a poet and Literary
Ambassador - Philippines believes in the therapeutic concept of love and
humanity that heals and revives an anguished soul.
‘And let love cure the world
Authentic peace is within you.’
Another poet and Literary Ambassador from Nigeria, Lucky Steven Onyah, has presented his views incisively and says that
art is the only recourse that an individual can take when he is at the brink of
depression. It is the only true religion:
‘Politics, Sciences and the Arts
What's the greatest of them all
Politics conceal for reasons
Sciences explore for their own glory
Yet Art perseveres and preserves
Being true religion of humanity.’
Sajid Hussain employs similes and metaphors
evocatively to portray peace:
‘Rainbows of peace flash like silver beams,
Soft as snow the concept of the vitality of
life.’
Annette Tarpley is of the view that what we
teach our young ones will result in a better world.
‘Our young are vulnerable, their innocence
raw and exposed.
Yet, they desire discipline and structure,
this has been proposed.
As adults we are their mentors, it is our
role to guide and teach.’
BIO: Dr. Vandita Dharni is a published poet
and hails from an eminent family of educationists. She currently resides in
Chandigarh, India. She has earned many a distinction in the literary field,
however in her academic pursuits she raised the bar by topping the University
of Allahabad at the post-graduate level in English. Thereafter, she earned a
Ph.D. degree in American Literature from the same university.
She is the Chief Literary Ambassador for
India in the How to Write for Success Literary Forum, and Chief Administrator
in Payton’s Place for Poetry and Literary Criticism.
Vandita has been honoured with several international
Literary awards including the Rabindranath Tagore Award.
