The beginning of spring, the beginning of solar year 1392 and rebirth of nature called Nawroz or the ‘the new day’ was celebrated across Afghanistan on Thursday, March 21. Afghanistan, along with many other Asian nations celebrate Nawroz each year since centuries.

Nawroz has been celebrated for the past 3,000 years and The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Nowruz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin. Nawroz is an event of happiness and the people of Afghanistan enjoy this day with family and public gatherings, special dishes, wearing new cloths and other customs.

Undoubtedly, Nawroz gives the message of peace, prosperity and unity but during the last thirty years of conflict in Afghanistan, the people of this country have never been able to celebrate it with full spirit and true happiness. Every year of the past three decades has been full of bloodshed, violence and destruction.

Soviet invasion, civil war and Taliban took lives of thousands of Afghans and with that the happiness and joy of the people of Afghanistan. Today, Afghans still suffer. Insurgency is still not letting them to breathe freely.

The people of Afghanistan celebrated the beginning of the spring at times when their country is facing grave security, political, social and economic challenges. The failure of government to bring about fundamental developments has caused the public concerns to rise amid the international community planning to withdraw from Afghanistan. By the end of 2014, all the NATO troops are set to withdraw putting the 11-year gains of Afghanistan in democracy, civil society, human rights, media and other important areas at a great stake.

On this occasion of happiness, every Afghan wishes and prays for long lasting peace, stability, unity and brotherhood in his country. That is the dream of every individual living on this land. Afghans are great lovers of peace but it is their bad luck that they have become the victims of the great game.

Afghans know the real meaning of events such as Nawroz as they have had little time of joy and happiness. The way Afghans welcome the New Year and spring deliver the message that they support peace, harmony and brotherhood in their country.