What does real safety mean?
Is it the security we feel when we lock our doors at night or the protection provided by soldiers at the border? Or is it something deeper, something more intangible?
Real safety is not just the absence of physical danger; it is the presence of peace of mind, trust, and a sense of belonging. It is the freedom to walk without fear, to express without judgment, and to live without the constant shadow of violence, hatred, or discrimination.
So, when we ask, "Are we really safe?" — we must ask, safe from what?
Safe from what we see on the outside or from the emotions, judgments, and insecurities we carry on the inside?
🕊️ Safety Isn’t Just About Walls and Borders
Yes, India has one of the world’s strongest defense systems.
Yes, we have rescue operations like Operation Sindoor, where brave men and women risked their lives to bring home stranded Indians from war-torn regions. But real safety goes beyond borders and military might.
Safety is about trusting your neighbor, walking freely without fear, and being emotionally secure in your own country. It’s about the daily interactions we have — in schools, offices, homes, and streets. It’s about feeling respected and valued, regardless of gender, race, or background.
💔 “We are building stronger armies, but are we building kinder hearts?” — Anonymous
🔥 Pahalgam Terror Attack (April 22, 2025): A Shattered Sense of Security
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, in Jammu and Kashmir. Five militants opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 and injuring 17. This attack didn’t just target innocent lives — it shattered the sense of safety that we often take for granted.
Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony ride operator, displayed extraordinary courage. Despite the danger, he tried to disarm the attackers and shield the tourists. Tragically, he was shot and killed, but his bravery remains an example of how ordinary people rise up in extraordinary circumstances.
💬 “I was just trying to protect them. I didn’t think of my own safety,” he said before his death. His sacrifice reminds us that true safety isn't just about being protected from harm — it’s about protecting others, even at the cost of your life.
🌍 The India-Pakistan Strikes (May 7, 2025): Escalating Tensions, Lost Lives
The fragile peace between India and Pakistan broke once again in May 2025. Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, saw Indian forces target locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This marked the first major military escalation between the two nations in over two decades, with casualties reported on both sides.
The strikes underscored the loss of safety that the people living in these conflict zones face every day. Families, civilians, and children are caught in the crossfire, their lives disrupted by the larger geopolitical forces they have little control over. The emotional and psychological toll of living in constant fear of war is a reality that is often invisible to those of us living in more peaceful areas.
In this ongoing conflict, true safety remains elusive, not just for soldiers but for the innocent civilians who long for peace.
💬 “You can protect your borders, but can you protect your people’s hearts?” — Anonymous
😞 Where Did Our Humanity Go?
In our race to ensure physical safety, society seems to have forgotten emotional and psychological safety. Just consider the recent incidents:
The Nirbhaya Case (2012) – This tragic incident shook the entire nation. The brutal assault and murder of a young woman left the country questioning the safety of women. Despite improvements in the law, many women still fear for their lives every time they step out at night.
Online Harassment – With the rise of the internet and social media, cyberbullying has become a silent epidemic. In 2024, a teenager in Mumbai, after facing constant online bullying, tragically took her own life. The need for online safety is as real as physical safety.
💬 “We wear safety belts in cars but carry knives in our minds.” — Anonymous
We are safe from bombs, but not from our own thoughts.
We are safe in buildings, but not in broken homes.
We are guarded by the military, but not by society’s morals.
🌱 The Real Safety We Need
Real safety isn’t just the protection from external threats. It’s about the freedom from fear — fear of judgment, fear of harassment, fear of rejection, and fear of violence. Here are a few dimensions of safety we need to focus on:
Safety in Expression – Can a girl speak her mind without fear?
The rise of women sharing their #MeToo stories highlighted how many are silenced by fear, not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically. This safety must be ensured — where every woman feels safe to speak out without the risk of backlash.
Safety in Beliefs – Can we live in harmony even when we disagree?
Religious intolerance and societal division are undermining this safety. A recent incident in Bengaluru saw an interfaith couple facing violent opposition. Their safety wasn’t just threatened by physical violence, but by a lack of acceptance and understanding.
Safety in Struggle – Can a poor person ask for help without being judged?
The pandemic exposed the brutal truth of the disparity in safety: while some were locked safely in their homes, millions of migrant workers were stranded, forced to walk back to their villages, risking their lives in the process.
Until every woman walks freely at midnight,
Until every child is fed and not afraid,
Until helping becomes instinct, not a favor,
We cannot call ourselves truly safe.
🕯️ Final Thought
Operation Sindoor showed what true Indian spirit looks like — courage in the face of danger, hope amidst uncertainty, and resilience in the wake of devastation. But that spirit must exist not just in crisis — but in daily life. In our hearts. In our streets. In our homes.
“We don’t just need soldiers at the border. We need kindness at every doorstep.” — Anonymous
So before you say “We are safe,” ask yourself:
“Am I making this world safer for someone else today?”
