WOES OF A COMMON MAN

It was tragic as well as shocking to hear about the killing of his entire family and suicide of an Indian American in Los Angeles. It’s hard to believe how such a qualified professional can give in to a weak moment. He sure must have had some mental problems. The economic meltdown in the US and losing all his money in there came out to be the reasons to compel him to commit such a gruesome act. In India every year we hear of farmers committing suicide as they can’t return huge debts if the rain god doesn’t shower. It’s a sad situation and the governments need to take prompt steps to bail people out of it. Every century has its own share of ‘great depressions’ and it’s the common man who suffers each time be it India or US.
- Deepika Chouhan, Houston

NAVRATRI WITH A CAUSE
As a resident of Bay Area one can’t help but notice how Navratri events in this part of US support various causes. Sankara Eye Foundation, CliPs, Vibha, Cry, CCF….I came across several NGOs who chose this festival for fundraising. From supporting children and women in India to rural healthcare, these organizations have been diverting the funds to worthy causes. For the garba revelers it’s a double bonanza. On one hand they get to enjoy the festivities, on the other they get the satisfaction that the amount they shell out reaches the deserving. I believe every festival celebration should have a similar strategy. Instead of having Diwali melas where people visit, spend on Indian food and shop. It’s tough to get them to donate but when such charity causes are clubbed with festivities, people don’t mind giving generously. After all isn’t it all about making lives of our brethren better?
- Nitin Gokhale, California

ON THE PRETEXT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
As a nationalistic Indian living out side of India it is painful to see that even after sixty years of independence government can play communal politics in the name of secularism. Amarsingh, the leader of Samajvadi party has now threatened to UPAgovernment of withdrawing support if militants captured in reference to recent bombings in Gujarat and elsewhere were not provided legal assistance and apparently top criminal lawyer of the country, Ram Jethmalani has been asked to be the defense lawyer for these terrorists. Now it is possible that in the name of political gaming these terrorists will be freed and could potentially become a threat to national security. In the US after 9/11 there hasn’t been any terrorist attack on the US soil while in India these attacks and blasts have become monthly if not daily events. Eventually blasts will be an event of last page corner section for newspapers. Democracy doesn’t mean to allow terrorism in the name of pseudo human rights rather it means rights to live like humans. Politicians should get that message now.
- J. Raveendran, New York

TATA DRIVES TO GUJARAT
All the drama around TATA’s plans to open a production facility for its much touted Nano car finally ended on October 7 with Gujarat being the chosen destination. As a Gujarati one often wonders how good will the entire deal turn out to be to an average Gujarati? Will TATA hire more locals? Will more Gujaratis get employment? Or again like the petrochemical giants in the state, will it employ Indians from across the country bringing them to Gujarat? I am not against others but when we make all this hullabaloo about TATA opening shop in Gujarat one is inclined to think in that direction. Besides, would it have been such a big news had the Singur controversy not happened? Modi’s proactive steps do get a pat but isn’t it high time corporates start considering Gujarat as the destination for setting up their plants given the advancements the state has made in all spheres?
- Praveen Trivedi, Connecticut