Life and Spirituality

For years USA has faced huge immigration problems on its southern borders as large numbers of persons have crossed its border through Mexico. The American response to the problem has varied over the years. Few of its responses have been perfect; few responses have escaped criticism. The most recent response of zero tolerance that consisted of declaring those entering as criminals, separating adults from children and putting them in separate detentions has been criticized hugely around the world. It was described as torture of little children by no less than the UN Human Rights Commission from which America withdrew subsequently, of even babies and of snatching babies from mothers. It has been reversed but thousands of children remain separated while America scampers for alternate policies. This present move may have destroyed future of thousands of children through psychological trauma. It is heaping disgrace upon a once great nation. More tragic still is the fact that inst

E very four years, Americans gather to choose a new President. The choice they may make not only affects the lives of Americans but of all - humans, animals, plants and trees- on our lovely blue planet, Mother Earth, for at the present time America is the largest economy and also the strongest military force on the planet. It has an influence that stretches far across its borders as did that of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland before World War II. Since its inception, about ten years ago, the focus of this blog has been on sharing thoughts with the world in a way so that our cherished planet becomes a better place for all and lives of individuals within it improve, most of all children and next the poor, vulnerable and old, for it is they who need most comfort and peace. For the most part, this blog has stayed away from politics and when it has expressed thoughts on it, they have been in a non-partisan way for this author is independent with no specif

A n interesting Presidential race is on in America to choose a new President. The world watches with interest and concern. Of all the contenders in the fray, most recognize one of them – Bernie Sanders – as an honest, trustworthy and compassionate person.   He has a long history of public service to prove his position  not being a young leader who might be corrupted soon after winning an election as young leaders often tend to, or if that did not happen in the first term, by the second one most likely if the leader is not very young. Power corrupts most all. For older leaders, the greedy are easily discovered by checking out if they have accumulated an excess of personal wealth during their journey through life (unless it was thrown at them from a lottery, chance or inheritance etc.) Because of this, in the opinion of this author, if Bernie Sanders wins, he shall be good not just for America but also the world. It is a grave mistake when people choose a less trustworthy lead

P erhaps the most revered sacred spiritual text in the lands below the Himalayas is Bhagvat Gita which means the Divine Song. One of its verses says that it is important for great and leading men in society to do the right thing because whatsoever a great man does, others tend to emulate. Similar sentiments are echoed across all of the great works of philosophy and spirituality across the world. Just as it is with individuals so it is with nations. It is important for them to do the right thing because other nations tend to emulate them. Over the past seventy years, ever since WWII, America has emerged as the leading nation in the world. It has the largest economy and the strongest army. Recently, the current President of the US, Barack Obama stated in his last State of the Union address that Americans must be proud because America is the strongest nation and it is the envy of other nations. He was right only partly. America is undoubtedly the strongest nation but it i

A humanitarian appeal for a part of the world that has seen one of the worst tragedies that mankind and little children have seen in recent times, for the sake of the loveliest amongst humans- little children: Now that a ceasefire has come this author hopes that Gaza and Israel would both work hard to let bygones be bygones and work towards a better, safer and brighter future for their children. Americans could atone for any inadvertent errors of the past in ensuring that this happens while contributing in a major way towards the rebuilding of Gaza that lies in ruins because it is primarily American support, vetoes, money and weapons that have made this havoc possible. The money for this reconstruction will not place any additional burden on the American people if simply the aid America gives to Israel is redirected for a few years towards this reconstruction. It would be in the best of American values and tradition where even in the past it has helped countries like Germa

  Child migrants from Central America     Little angels arriving on the American southern border in the thousands It must be mentioned at the outset that from every possible definition of a refugee, these unaccompanied children arriving on the US southern border are refugees and not immigrants, even though some in USA have been referring to them with the latter nomenclature. It may be mentioned that if a group of humans crossing an international border are refugees or immigrants is not determined by individuals but is an International determination. The UNHCR has concluded that a majority are refugees. The distinction is important because different laws apply to different groups. According to vox.com these children are fleeing from a situation that is twice as dangerous as Iraq , 2008-12. A report on these children by UNHCR is here http://unhcrwashington.org/children   For a formal definition of a refugee please see http://ashokmalhotra.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/who-is-a-re

American Crisis C hildren scared out of their wits are fleeing their homes, even two year old children, a violence fueled by War against Drugs that appears to have been initiated and encouraged by America, not just in Central America but around the world by pressing unwilling governments such as those in India to classify cannabis as an illegal drug, a herb that has been held as divine for thousands of years. Prior to 1985 many a poor farmer under distress from debt and drought calmed himself with a drink or smoke of cannabis. Now he commits suicide instead to the howls and wails of his screaming children and wife left behind. Alcohol is not an option, it is considered a crime causing and addictive poison in many an Indian village, which in fact is true. Thank you America but the world is not surprised when you can do it to your own Veterans who defended your country and now suffer from PTSD, compel them to ruin their guts and livers for big pharma profit perha