Beyond Success: Indian Americans and Universal Oneness
A fuller description of the Indian American community is needed, one that speaks not just to achievement but to character Indian Americans are usually portrayed through the language of success: spelling-bee victories, elite degrees, high incomes, corporate leadership. These familiar markers overlook a deeper, more enduring trait: a commitment to service rooted in the Hindu
Leading a Purposeful Life
On U.S. college campuses, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young adults which is a stark reminder of a deepening crisis of meaning and mental health. Past-year suicide attempt rates among international students have been reported in the range of roughly 1.2% to 2.2%, compared with estimates of 0.1% to 1.6%
Yamas & Niyamas: Hindu Ten Commandments?
The recent passage of the law by the state of Louisiana requiring all state-funded schools and universities to display the biblical Ten Commandments in classrooms has sparked extensive controversy. The Ten Commandments, central to Judeo-Christian ethics, are seen by supporters as timeless moral principles essential for a just society. They argue these commandments promote values
Are we the inadvertent ‘useful idiots’ for global terrorists: How the West Has Provided Shelter to Terrorist Organizations and Its Global Consequences
Throughout their post-colonial history, under the aegis of the principles of individual freedom of conscience and freedom of speech, Western nations have often served as safe havens for individuals and groups fleeing persecution in their native countries. This policy may be the result of the collective transgenerational guilt from the colonial atrocities committed by their
Why the USA Needs Its Own Equivalent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)?
The strength and prospects of a society lie in its ability to unite its people through shared values, cultural roots, and active participation in community life. India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), loosely translated as National Volunteer Association, is a voluntary organization that blends cultural preservation and grassroots mobilization to address national challenges. As the United
Liberty and Dharma: Parallels Between India’s Civilizational Ethos and America’s Constitution
Today, as I replaced the American flag on the pole in front of my home, I found myself reflecting on how deeply grateful many of us Hindus, who form a minuscule percentage of the U.S. population—are to the United States Constitution. Its protection of religious freedom has allowed our community to flourish openly and confidently.
Festivals of prayerful lights
There is a tradition in many Hindu households to light a lamp in the evening and pray. I remember my grandmother lighting up a small earthen oil lamp in front of our family altar and summoning me to recite the evening prayer. My primary motivation for showing up was getting to eat the sweet offerings
Prosylatism: A bane on humanity
On March 11, 1689, on the eve of the auspicious Gudi Padwa, Sambhaji Maharaj, the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Kingdom and eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was brutally murdered under the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. As we celebrate the Hindu New Year at our homes, places of worship, and with friends and
Unraveling the Truth Behind India’s CAA Bill: Debunking Misrepresentations by the Irresponsible Media
On March 11, 2024, the Union home ministry of India has operationalized the Citizenship (Amendment Act (CAA) which was passed by the India’s Parliament on December 11th 2019. The Act ignited a firestorm of controversy both domestically and internationally due to extensive misrepresentation by the liberal media, fueling misconceptions and protests. The legislation which aims
Beacons of hope for the oppressed people: Similarities between two heroes, George Washington and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The year 2023 stands as a significant milestone, commemorating the convergence of two iconic historical events separated by a mere hundred years. These pivotal occurrences gave hope to oppressed people globally, as a small group of resolute and unorganized men defiantly cast aside the shackles of enslavement. Within this year, we observe the 350th anniversary
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: His Relevance in Today’s American Social Politics
The announcement that the intersection of 61st Street and Broadway in Queens, New York, has been officially designated as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Way filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy and immense pride. Despite being born into a marginalized community in colonial India and facing discrimination and social exclusion throughout his life, Dr. Ambedkar
Harmonizing Indian and American Values: Finding Common Ground
This year I will be completing three decades of residing in this country. Very early during my stay here, I pondered the question ‘Who am I?’ This was not the Upanishadic question but geopolitical identity. This introspection about one’s identity and the clash of values between cultures is common to all immigrants, sometimes causing inter-generational
Strengthening Bonds: The Enduring Friendship Between India and the USA
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023. The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and
Impression of America on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Last month on my visit to Mumbai, I experienced the celebration of the birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on April 14th. This encouraged me to read the book Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Life and Mission, by Dhananjay Keer, which is the only authentic biography read and approved by Dr. Ambedkar himself. The book inspired me