KASAB’S FATE

Any bets on Kasab’s sentence? Even if its death...he can appeal to the High Court and then Supreme Court and then clemency to President of India and if all goes well he may well be hanged in say 2050?
- Kumar Vijay, New Jersey 

IPL DRAMA

Capitalism is all about creating wealth and opportunities for many people and not just a select few. I don’t have issues with Lalit Modi becoming a billionaire in the process but who got benefited through the process other than BCCI, media and team owners? And again ethical and transparent process is the key. Wall Street is the best example of opaque dealings and they failed. For public to trust some thing, process should be transparent when you are dealing in public platform. No qualms about Modi and Tharoor being made scapegoats. Basically it’s all about control of Rs.3500 crore juggernaut. Congress wanted to snatch it from NCP, as simple as that. Now Pawar and his pawns are under pressure. How did Srinivasan as a secretary get approval of holding a stake in Chennai Super Kings? Wasn’t it insider trading? IPL is great and I believe other games should be played like this i.e hockey, soccer etc on professional basis so that money flows to these orphan games.
- Darshan Dave, Philadelphia

FIRST SIKH ARMY OFFICER

Our heartiest congratulations to Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan for graduating from the Army Officer Course, making him the first Sikh officer to complete basic training in over two decades. I totally endorse Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney when she said that Cpt Rattan’s achievement underscores the importance of preserving diversity in our armed forces and is a testament to one of the most fundamental values— freedom of religion— upon which our nation was founded and which makes the US a beacon of hope and liberty throughout the world. The Sikh regiment has made proud contribution to the Indian Army and stories of their valor have inspired generations.
-Smitha Menon, Maryland, VA

NO GANDHI ON MONT BLANC PENS

Am glad the Indian government has refused permission to Mont Blanc to use Gandhiji’s image on their pens. It significantly means that Gandhi’s images are regarded by the government as national emblem. After permission was refused, Mont Blanc discontinued sale of the pens and withdrew the advertisements. Attaching Mahatma Gandhi’s name with the expensive pen rebelled against the values and ideals, which the Father of the Nation believed in and fought for throughout his life. Earlier when this blatant commercial use of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and insignia in violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, was taking place, the government, the ruling political party and the Opposition were silent. Entry A of the Schedule to the Act listed that “the name or pictorial representation of Mahatma Gandhi” as an item cannot be categorically used for the purpose of any trade, business or profession.
- Kabir Joshi, New York

WORK VISAS FINDS LESS TAKERS
I just read somewhere that with just about a fourth of the annual quota for the oncecoveted H1B visas applied for till the third week of April, this year may witness the first time that the cap may not be reached in recent years since the numbers were substantially reduced in 2004. According to figures from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services there were just over 23000 eligible petitions from the allotted 85000. The cap for fiscal 2010 was only reached on December 21, 2009. While US economy may be one big reason, India’s growing GDP could be another. The rate at which things are moving in India, it’s not surprising that talented professionals are choosing to stay back and conquer the Indian market than slog it out here in the US. The cap was not reached in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but, of course, the number of available visas then stood at 195,000, three times those available now.
- K Srinivas, California

USPS SHOULD ISSUE DIWALI STAMP

Hindus applaud the United States Postal Service (USPS) for announcing a stamp to honor Mother Teresa during 2010. Besides recognizing Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa, it was an honor for India also as she was citizen of India. USPS should issue a stamp on Diwali to honor the feelings and contributions of about 2.5 million Hindus living in USA and about one billion spread worldwide. It is long overdue. Diwali is the most popular festival of Hinduism, which is the oldest and third largest religion of the world whose ultimate goal is moksha (liberation). USPS, whose history goes back to 1775, handled 202.7 billion pieces in FY 2008 and its revenue was $75 billion.
- Rajan Zed, Nevada