HINDUS WANT PUBLIC APOLOGY FROMPOPE FOR INSULTING THEM

Hindus are asking Pope Benedict to issue a public apology for allegedly insulting them. It was very humiliating to one billion strong Hindus of the world when Pope Benedict referred their God as "just any god".

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, in a letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on March 10 last (published on The Holy See website), said, "In our days, when in vast areas of the world the faith is in danger of dying out like a flame which no longer has fuel, the overriding priority is to make God present in this world and to show men and women the way to God. Not just any god, but the God who spoke on Sinai…"

Pope appeared to be trying to distinguish God of Sinai from the "other gods". We fully agree that the world needs God but it was not necessary to denigrate Hindus to make his point across by apparently referring so unceremoniously our God as "just any god."

This shocking statement coming from the largest and highly respected religious leader of the world, Pope Benedict, who was a renowned theologian and had served as professor at various German universities, was really disturbing.

Rajan Zed, Nevada

IN SUPPORT OF VARUN GANDHI

The Indian American Intellectuals Forum expresses regret at the no-holdsbarred campaign of vilification and calumny unleashed by the entire 'pseudo-secular' establishment of India on Varun Gandhi, the BJP candidate for Parliament from Pilibhit in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Varun Gandhi is reported to have said in an election speech that "if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless... if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus - then I swear… I will cut that hand."

This rare display of utter fearlessness and exemplary courage from the young BJP leader has echoed the simmering feelings of millions of Hindus all over the globe. For coming out openly to speak the truth, the Indian American Intellectuals Forum congratulates him.

Despite the bitter condemnation from the English language press, Varun Gandhi is being lauded all over India in the vernacular media. We suspect the slanderous crusade against Varun Gandhi is backed by certain anti-national elements for the sole purpose of demoralizing and demonizing this young would-be MP.

It is worth noting that at the moment Hindu Nation is neck deep into an unprecedented crisis because of the double whammy of Islamic jihad on one hand and the pseudo-secular Congress Party politicians protecting even the high profile terrorists like Mohammad Afzal Guru, the convicted mastermind of Parliament attack, on the other.

It is not hard to look around and see that most Hindus have already been religiously cleansed from the neighboring Pakistan; they have been either converted to Islam or simply killed. The same thing is fast happening to the Bangladesh and Kashmir Valley.

We do not see anything wrong with Varun Gandhi's statement. Actually, his assertion that "I am a proud Hindu, I am a Gandhi and I am an Indian" should come as a breath of fresh air for all Indians in the suffocating pseudo-secular politics of India.

We look upon Varun Gandhi as valiantly fighting like Veer Abhimanyu, the brave son of legendary Arjun of Mahabharatha.

As such, we appeal to the Non- Resident Indians in general, and the Indian public in particular, to solidly stand behind Varun Gandhi, the gutsy young leader of the modern India.

BRAIN DRAIN TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO US

For decades, the United States has lured young Indians to its shores with its prospects of prestigious university degrees followed by jobs on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley. Since 2001, Indian have been the largest foreign student population on American campuses, comprising around 15 percent of all international students at colleges and universities in the United States.

But now with the economic crisis sending the US economy into its worst recession in decades, this 'American Dream' has soured. And now, Indians are seeing greater opportunities at home, where there are more job openings, lower cost of living, and modern amenities such as shopping malls and condominiums offering them a comfortable life. Thus, analysts say, America's loss may be India's gain, pointing to a 'reverse brain drain' that may see India reaping benefits for years to come as some of its smartest and most talented people put their energies into Asia's thirdlargest economy.

Sreenath Rangarajan, New Jersey

NANO PRIDE OF INDIA

India's knowledge power was demonstrated by our IT professionals through out the world. Now Tata has demonstrated that knowledge power does not stop at IT but in every sphere including designing and manufacturing cheapest family small car through Nano. Well done Mr. Tata, you have made every Indian to be proud as the whole world is looking at this achievement.

Piyush Patel, Connecticut