ISSUES AND CONCERNS

AAZAADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV: An Open Letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Stories of Sannidhi, of Indra, of Bilkis Maananeeya Pradhan Manthri Narendra Modiji, Jai Shree Krishna, Hope and wish this finds you hale and hearty and in good spirit in the midst of all your multifarious activities. This is my 3rd open letter to your honourable self. The first was in April 2012, published in ISSUES & CONCERNS in its May 2012 edition. That was the period you were Chief Minister of Gujarath. The 2nd letter was published in January 2016 edition of ISSUES & CONCERNS, when you were already the Prime Minister of India. Modiji, whether as the Prime Minister of India or as the Chief Minister of Gujarath or even plainly as Narendra Damodardas Modi, no other Indian has ever been written about, so much in black and white, or so much spoken about in such endearing terms or pathological hatred at the same time. Both who admired you and those who did not like you are a legion. Modiji, cele...

New Delhi : The New Delhi datelined report “SC: Child’s welfare, not wish should determine custody”, is a disturbing piece of news coming from the highest court of the land. Here is a case of a child, 11 year old, born in the U.S. to Indian parents. In U.S., estrangement of couples is not uncommon. So, this Indian couple too decides to part company. For sure they were married for over 12 years, since they have a male child 11 years old. Relationship having soured between the mother and father of this 11 year old male child, one day mother simply leaves U.S. with the child and travels to India, reportedly without the knowledge of boy’s father. Child was born in the U.S. and therefore had U.S. citizenship, lived for over 10 years in the U.S. with schooling there. Now, that the child has travelled to Bengalooru in India, got into a local school, started enjoying the local atmosphere with maternal grandparents in attendance. So, the child, name not available, got acclimatized to the new en...