New Delhi: What does peace look like to a child? A dove in the sky, people holding hands, a world without borders or simply a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.These ideas came to life Thursday as around 700 schoolchildren from across Delhi-NCR gathered at Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, for Colors for Peace, an international art initiative that uses creativity to promote peace, unity and mutual understanding.Through colours, symbols and stories on paper, the children interpreted an idea that often feels abstract. For some, peace meant people from different faiths and backgrounds coming together. For others, it was found in the comfort of home, friendship or shared spaces. Selected artworks will be exhibited internationally, including at the Colosseum in Rome.For Anura Gupta, a Class V student at Amity Pushp Vihar, peace began with togetherness. Her artwork, titled Peace, Harmony and Unity, depicted children from different religious backgrounds holding hands around the Earth, while a white dove carrying a leafy branch reinforced the message of collective peace. “My painting shows that ‘together we are stronger’. Many cultures, one world. No hate. Only love,” she said.The initiative also brought together children from beyond formal school networks.Among them was Atul Kumar, a primary school student at Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan School, Mathura Road. He drew a brightly coloured home surrounded by trees and flowers. “I feel really happy at home, so that’s my peace,” he said.For Class V student Kashi Shivastav, peace was rooted in human relationships. Her artwork carried a message about avoiding conflict and living together. “United we stand, divided we fall,” she said.Elsewhere, the contrast between war and peace unfolded across a globe assembled from puzzle pieces. Titled ‘Let Peace Replace Wars’, one half showed smoke, damaged buildings and armed figures, while the other featured sunshine, greenery and homes. Beneath it, two children held puzzle pieces, suggesting that even small hands could help build a kinder world.Another artwork made its appeal through a quieter scene with a girl in a blue dress, seen from behind, holding red flowers beneath an open blue sky. Plants and colourful flowers edged the rocky landscape around her, while a yellow bird flew overhead. On the right, two bold words delivered the message: “NO WAR”.Together, the drawings reflected the purpose of Colors for Peace, an Italy-headquartered non-profit organisation working with children across 135 countries to bring their perspectives into conversations about peace, coexistence and mutual understanding.Arunima Kukreja, ambassador, Colors for Peace India and founding director of the CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence, said: “Students will have the opportunity to share their values, ethos, perspectives and educational experiences.”Antonio Bartoli, ambassador of Italy to India, said: “By giving children a platform to express their hopes and emotions through art, we help build greater empathy and understanding.”The Delhi-NCR participants were among around 1,500 students who took part across India.
