TRIBUTE TO VETERAN JOURNALIST

Gopal Raju’s demise is as much a loss to the Indian - American community as it is to the print media in US. His immense contribution to the field of journalist and bridging of Indo-US relations will be remembered for a long time to come. May his soul rest in peace.

- R Shankar, Oregon

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BOBBY JINDAL

Whether he would be selected for VP nomination has been a subject of debate. That he may not this time seems likely but what impresses the most is the fact that he as considered for the position. There’s no doubt that in years to come, we will see him fortifying his position in the American politics. After all it wasn’t a mean deal making it to the highest seat of power in a state.

I read somewhere that given the growing influence of immigrant community in US it may not be long before we have a president of Asian or Hispanic descent. And if Obama makes it this time, it will only pave way for others to follow.

- Jaya Sharma, Louisiana.

IPL FRENZY

Cricket is a religion for Indians in India as well as wherever they have settled. Despite all the criticisms IPL has managed to engulf the entire country in its frenzy. Even in US we made it a point to watch it on paid channel and it was indeed worth every penny spent. Apart from lending a lot of glamour to the game of cricket, IPL has revived careers of many rookies and provided them a great platform to perform and get their worth in terms of remuneration. What the juniors would highly appreciate is the opportunity to share the dressing room with veterans. IPL has started a new chapter in Indian cricket and given its success it may not be long before many other countries too follow the trend.

- Bimal Patel, Chicago.

TERROR ATTACK IN JAIPUR

The serial bomb blasts in Jaipur have once again proved the lapse in our security system. It’s always innocent lives that bear the brunt of inadequacies on the part of our governments. The police said they ignored the warning report by a local daily. Often wonder had that been the case had it been any city in US? Would the security agencies here have taken any warning lightly? It’s annoying and disappointing to see how life of a common man is so taken for granted in India. Even today so many families lose their young sons to militancy in Jammu & Kashmir yet it hardly gets reported. Incidents of violence occur on a daily basis across the country and we seem to have become indifferent to them.

- Aditya Kumar, Connecticut

STARS INTO POLITICS

Whether Chiranjeevi will get into politics or not is a topic of discussion among Telugus in US. The charisma that he holds as a film star apart, we are keen on having him in politics for the work he has done for the poor through his charitable trust. Telugus here are organizing meetings and rallies across the country to show their support to the star. The NRIs also undertook a Mahayatra in Andhra to show their support to the locals and Chiranjeevi. Film stars taking to politics is not a new occurrence in the South but now people have come to realize that it’s the person and not just his star power that can help the state.

- Raju T., California

SATYAGRAH IN NEW YORK

It was interesting to see Gandhiji’s ideals of peace and nonviolence getting all the attention from New Yorkers. The opera, Satyagrah managed to draw crowds so did the simultaneous programs held across the city. I have lived in Manhattan for more than a couple of decades now and felt a sense of pride when idols dressed in khadi and cotton clothes peeped out of stores on Fifth Avenue. I think it was a great idea to club events talking about his work and life while the Opera was scheduled. I took the opportunity to take my teenaged grandsons to the Opera and they loved the presentation.

- Mahendra Shah, New York.