The Battle of Kurukshetra: What if there was dialogue?

In an innovative exercise, The Tagore Institute of Peace Studies (TIPS) created a game in which young minds could attempt conflict resolution through discourse. On January 28, Kolkata schoolchildren roleplayed the characters of Draupadi, Krishna, Arjun, Duryodhana and Bhishma, from the epic Mahabharat and discussed war and the ways of dealing with it and deflecting it if possible.

The venue was The Sushila Birla Girls’ School, Kolkata and the game was “Kurukshetra Konundrum”.

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“1941 BC. Kurukshetra. The world holds its breath. One decision could save millions. You are the negotiators. YOU will be the game-changers!”

These words ignited young diplomats from five top schools at Sushila Birla Girls’ School yesterday for the inaugural Be the Gamechanger: Kurukshetra Konundrum—Tagore Institute of Peace Studies’ (TIPS) inter-school conflict resolution game. Hosted on the UN’s International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (theme: “Commitment to Peaceful Coexistence and a Safe, Inclusive World”), it recast the Mahabharata battlefield as a negotiation hub.

Participating schools were St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Birla High School, Birla High School (Mukundapur), Sushila Birla Girls’ School, and Patha Bhavan-Shantiniketan (distinct in orange sarees). Patha Bhavan clinched victory with a highly creative twist: Imagining the “Mayanadi” river—blocked by one faction—as war’s spark. Role-playing Bhishma, Draupadi, Arjun, Krishna, and Duryodhana, they negotiated passionately yet respectfully in the “Accord Arena,” forging a water-sharing treaty with compensation. Their summary masterfully traced conflict to resolution, impressing judges Ms Kaveri Dutt, Dr Sarvani Gooptu, Prof. Dipali Bhattacharya and Ms Dola Mitra.

TIPS Founder President Mr. Sitaram Sharma launched it: “Teams of five drop into Kurukshetra’s eve. No scripts. Total creative freedom. Negotiate peace—or justify battle—via dialogue, listening, consensus. Gamified peace for sustainable harmony.”

TIPS Dean, Aditi Roy Ghatak, (the game is her brainchild) rallied: “Step into diplomacy—not weapons, but wisdom. Outmanoeuvre dilemmas, drive consensus. It’s UN-style training for peacemakers. Strategize boldly as the konundrums begin!”

“Impact young minds for peace,” says Sharma.

As global strife mounts, Kurukshetra Konundrum shows games build empathy that lectures miss.