Both Hiroshima and Bhubaneswar have marked 75 years since landmark events that deeply shaped their identities. Hiroshima, devastated by the dropping of the atomic bomb ‘Little Boy’, has since become a global symbol of peace and hope. The city encourages the world to learn from its journey of resilience and transformation, rather than simply remembering it as the city that endured the horrors of a nuclear warfare.
If Hiroshima is synonymous with the tragedy of ‘Little Boy’, Bhubaneswar’s Dhauli region is remembered for the bloody Kalinga War—fought near the Daya River in 261 BC. The defeat of Kalinga by Emperor Ashoka of Magadha did not lead to jubilation, but to a profound personal transformation. The immense suffering all over melted Ashoka’s heart and he renounced violence to embrace Buddhism. And Chandasoka was transformed into Dhrmasoka at the foothills of Dhauli, which still bear inscriptions of his message of peace and harmony to the world—an ancient call for harmony that endures through the centuries.
Can Bhubaneswar Have Its Peace Park?
In the 1970s, Japanese Buddhist monks honoured this heritage by building a Peace Pagoda atop Dhauli Hill—a testament to the shared pursuit of peace and love that inspires visitors from around the world. Inspired by Hiroshima’s transformation, I had made an attempt to propose the state government to establish a large memorial park named ‘Peace Valley’ at Dhauli, underscoring Bhubaneswar’s potential to become a modern ‘City of Peace and Love’. Unfortunately, the vision was sidelined by the pressures of real estate development, and the park never materialised.
What binds Hiroshima and Bhubaneswar is the enduring legacy of peace and love—born out of tragedy, yet steadfastly hopeful. Dhauli represents the birthplace of Ashoka’s quest for nonviolence in ancient times; Hiroshima symbolizes the modern world’s determination to reject war and embrace healing.
Revisit Urban Planning With Peace For A Purpose
If Bhubaneswar takes inspiration from Hiroshima, it could revisit its urban planning with an emphasis on peace and communal well-being, nurturing a culture rooted in compassion and remembrance. Both cities serve as reminders that peace is not simply a passive state, but a proactive journey—and that their stories can light the way for cities around the world.
