Patna Event Highlights Children's Suffering In War

On Sunday, several organisations, including the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), came together in Patna to mark Nagasaki Day and raise their voice against ongoing wars across the world.

The event, themed 'Children Under the Shadow of Bombs', was organised at the IMA Hall and began with anti-war songs performed by IPTA artists.

IDPD national secretary Dr Shakeel spoke about the devastating effects of war on children, citing the example of Nagasaki, which was destroyed by an atomic bomb 81 years ago.

He said that despite the world pledging to prevent the killing and suffering of innocent children, people, including a large number of children, were still facing horrific hunger and devastation in Gaza.

Dr Shakeel cited the 2026 IPC report, which states that more than 1.2 million people in Gaza are facing food insecurity, and this figure could rise to over 1.4 million in the coming months.

Eminent physician Dr Satyajit Ray also spoke at the event, saying that everyone needed to come forward against war.

He cited UNICEF figures, which show that 98 per cent of school buildings in Gaza have been damaged, and more than 93 per cent require major rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.

Nearly 700,000 children have been unable to attend school for around three years, Dr Ray said.

Theatre personality Tanvir Akhtar said that children bore the worst consequences of war, both mentally and physically.

He cited a UN commission report, which states that 151 children had reportedly died of malnutrition by October 2025.

At least 11 children also died of hypothermia during the winter of 2025-26, he said.

Bihar Mahila Samaj president Nivedita Jha said that thousands of children have been buried in Gaza, schools destroyed, and homes reduced to rubble.

Ravindra Nath Rai of ISCUF said that the possibility of famine has increased because of the war, with around 132,000 children under the age of five at risk of acute malnutrition.

Senior CPI leader Ram Babu said that war represented the most brutal form of human civilisation, with political and economic reasons behind it.

The event highlighted the suffering of children in war-torn areas and called for an immediate end to violence.

The organisations that came together for the event urged the world to take action to prevent the killing and suffering of innocent children.

The event was a reminder that the effects of war are long-lasting and devastating, and that it is essential to raise our voice against it.

In conclusion, the Patna event was a powerful reminder of the need to work towards a world where children are protected from the devastating effects of war.