India Abroad - May 6, 2011

The International Weekly Newspaper founded in 1970.

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Ajit Balakrishnan Chairman and Publisher Nikhil Lakshman Editor-in-Chief Rajeev Bhambri

ADNAN ABIDI/ REUTERS The body of spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba at his ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, April 25

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Death of a saint

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My deepest and heartfelt condolences to the devotees of Sathya Sai Baba.

He hailed from our state, Andhra Pradesh, but belonged to the world and was rightly considered a saint. He served humanity all his life, and left behind an empire for the poor and the needy so that his humanitarian work continues even after his death.

He was a uniter of faiths and humanity. His admirers came from all over the world, transcending religious boundaries and uniting in his wisdom of collective spirituality. The world will miss him.

May his great soul rest in peace.

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Power and perception

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I have always relished Sundip Mundkur’s letters. And I was as impressed by the one he wrote in the April 29 issue, echoing the thoughts of many Indian transplants in the US, including me.

America’s penchant for hegemony and exceptionalism mixed with capitalism irks many Indian Americans beholden to the ideals of the India they once knew.

Traditional morality, empathy and dignity for fellow humans and their respective countries are seriously disregarded by America; yet, it boasts that it is a protector of these virtues. Such an America, in the opinions of these Indians, is flagrantly violating basic human rights; therefore it is morally corrupt and disingenuous — a logical conclusion, albeit a one-sided one.

American political pundits, policy wonks and the press do not look at America through the same prism that many Indians do. They look at America as the apogee of the world order in terms of human rights advocacy, wealth production and military strength. Weakening that position will only be cataclysmic because of the ripple effects in other dependent countries. This mindset is an accurate reflection of reality and, therefore, morally defensible, according to them.

I wish India to be in this envious position while still operating under a different set of ideals and paradigms. Until then, I am settling for what I have.

old can indicate her propensity to become a ‘foodie’ television star? Or is it just a new mother’s wishful thinking?

What is even more astonishing is that India Abroad deemed it newsworthy enough to publish. If India Abroad intends to remain a prestigious newsweekly it should be more careful how it picks its content.

Raman Shanker

Kingwood, Texas

Isaac A Samuel

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

India Abroad Publications, Inc A subsidiary of Rediff.com India Ltd.

Ajit Balakrishnan

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Grow up, India Abroad
It was amusing to read Padma Lakshmi’s claim that her 1-
year-old daughter is ‘certainly showing signs of growing up to
be a food connoisseur’ (People, April 22). Really?! A 1-year-
Corruption is shortsighted
Pradeep Srivastava’s letter, ‘Is India ready’ (April29), raised
a question in relation to the recent Arab uprisings.