May 2025
Namaste,
During the discussion session of the Aawaj Child Group, we began by reviewing the outcomes of our previous conversation and then started today’s discussion on the topic of conflict management.
At the beginning, I asked everyone, “What is conflict?” For many, the word itself felt new. Some responded by saying, “Conflict means fighting, scolding, or getting angry.” Then, I explained to everyone that conflict refers to the mental struggle that arises due to disagreements between two or more individuals. This is the most commonly understood and widely used definition. It can stem from differences in opinions, concerns, or goals.
As the session progressed, I could sense from the participants’ reactions that they were gradually understanding the concept.
Continuing the discussion, I asked, “Where do such conflicts occur?” In response, the children shared that they often experience conflicts at home, between friends, and among relatives. Listening to their answers, I affirmed their thoughts and added: “Yes, such conflicts can occur among friends, within families, in communities, in schools, and even in politics. The word conflict can imply struggle, competition, or rivalry. It may involve physical or emotional efforts.”
Conflict is not always a bad thing—it can sometimes lead to positive outcomes. Conflict can be both constructive and destructive. However, today we are focusing on negative conflicts. A small disagreement can escalate into major disputes or even war, which shows how serious the matter can become.
Therefore, it’s not enough just to understand conflict—we must also learn how to manage it effectively. There are several methods for resolving conflicts, including:
- Identifying the conflict
- Recognizing the emotions involved
- Brainstorming possible solutions
- Reaching an agreement
- Implementing the solution
Another approach includes:
- Stopping the conflict
- Calming the situation
- Encouraging dialogue and active listening
- Taking responsibility
- Finding a solution that works for both sides
After explaining all these points clearly, I emphasized that we must start applying these practices from today itself. We should build habits such as resolving disagreements with our friends, openly sharing our feelings, and playing together in harmony.
To help the children understand the importance of equality and resource sharing, we played a resource management game.
The children were divided into three groups. Group 1, comprising with only two members, was given plenty of colorful pencils and 5 minutes to draw whatever they wished. Only two children from this group were allowed to participate. They enjoyed the freedom, used all the colors, and created vibrant drawings without any rush.
Then came Group 2. Comprising 5 members, this time, although more children wanted to participate, only a few resources were available—many pencils were taken away. They were given only 2 minutes. Despite trying their best, the children struggled with the limited resources and short time.
Finally, Group 3 was asked to draw. All remaining children in this group had to participate, but they were given just one color pencil and only 1 minute. Many of the children didn’t even get a chance to touch the pencil, let alone draw anything. Their disappointment was visible—the frustration, the sadness, the sense of unfairness.
After the activity, we asked them:
– “What happened?”
– “Why couldn’t everyone draw?”
– “Why weren’t you given more time or more colors?”
At first, there was silence. Then slowly, children began to reflect. They realized how unfair distribution of resources created conflict and disappointment. They understood how being left out feels, and how inequality leads to frustration and imbalance.
We ended the session by discussing the importance of equal distribution of resources. The children expressed that if resources aren’t shared fairly, voices must be raised—not with anger, but with the courage to ask for change.
This simple yet powerful game helped them truly feel the impact of injustice—and the importance of standing up for fairness.
Finally, everyone committed to managing conflicts positively in the future. With this, we concluded today’s meeting by sharing information about the next session.
Sincerely,
Binod Kumar Ram