The Indian Panorama

Tag: Readers Write

  • READERS WRITE

    Dear Editor

    Gobind Munjal

    Apropos of your editorial comment “Save America From Its Guns and Its Wars”, here are my thoughts.
    The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence in the United States. Each year, firearms are responsible for the deaths of approximately 40,000 to 50,000 Americans. Despite the urgency of this crisis, the issue of gun control remains highly polarized and politically gridlocked—largely due to the powerful influence of the gun lobby.
    The debate over gun control touches on constitutional rights, evolving public policy, and varied interpretations of data. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, even the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged limits to this right. In the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision, the Court made clear that the right is not absolute and does not prohibit reasonable regulation.
    I strongly believe that implementing more robust gun safety regulations is both necessary and effective in saving lives. Evidence supports this: States with stronger gun licensing laws tend to have significantly lower rates of firearm-related deaths, including both suicides and homicides. Research from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions highlights the effectiveness of policies such as universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), and secure firearm storage requirements.
    To address the national scope of the problem, we urgently need federal legislation to close loopholes that allow certain gun sales to occur without background checks. These loopholes make it easier for individuals who are legally prohibited from owning firearms to acquire them, putting lives at risk.
    Gun violence is not a partisan issue—it’s a public safety crisis. Thoughtful, evidence-based reform is essential if we are to protect American lives.

    (Gobind Munjal)
    New York

  • Readers Write

    Dear Editor,
    https://www.theindianpanorama.news/editorial-comment/the-danger-of-imported-nationalism-a-challenge-for-americas-unity/

    One of the best articles I have ever read…crisp, compact, impactful and written in style.
    Keep it up, Saluja Sir…Your choice of words and expressions always draws adulation for you.👍😊💕

    *America is a nation of immigrant inhabitants.*

    Let us begin by being clear that the greatest impediment to uniform integration is the *bias* that becomes frequently visible in the form of *behavioral prejudice* of the “whites” towards blacks, brownies, & some cults/tribes/religions.
    This self-inflicted megalomania is so deep rooted that it is well-nigh impossible for Governments to address it fairly, effectively and legally.
    Unless equitable humanitarian sentiment pervades towards the populace coming from diverse backgrounds, peaceful social integration will remain as only utopian (read: a failed fantasy) dream.
    In fact, history is replete with examples that utopian and exaggerated idealism invariably leads to undesirable outcomes ( read: evil outcomes).

    Examples:

    A) Infructuous, ineffective and spineless UN.

    B) Unfair concept of humanitarian considerations for displaced refugees and cowardly concept of non-violence (अहिंसा, करुणा, प्रेम) even towards evil forces.

    Sunil Chandra
    New Delhi, India

  • Readers Write

    Dear Editor,

    India is Unstoppable

    Nagendra Rao

    Lt Gen P R Shankar and his Gunners Shot podcast is widely regarded as one of the most respected and closely followed geopolitical and military programs on YouTube today, making it well worth regular viewing. This particular episode stands out as one of his finest among a series of excellent ones.
    Gen Shankar’s impartial observations, devoid of excessive Indian nationalism, are particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, his ability to bring top Indian generals and military theorists onto his program to share their perspectives on key issues is commendable. Credit should be given to the PM Modi BJP/RSS government for allowing and even encouraging India’s top military and geopolitical thought leaders to express their views. In contrast, the Nehru-Gandhi family Congress Party administrations, which dominated India’s first 50 years after independence, were marked by paranoia about military coups, as seen in Pakistan and other newly independent nations. Consequently, India’s most decorated military commanders were never appointed as commanders-in-chief and were instead posted abroad as ambassadors upon retirement.
    In this podcast, Gen Shankar aptly remarks, “I am called pro-US general. I am not. I am a pro-Indian general.” He freely criticizes the slipups of the PM Modi BJP/RSS government, just as he critiques India’s forgettable dynast and perennial PM hopeful, Rahul ‘Pappu’ Gandhi. Gen Shankar’s stance is clear: he is not pro-BJP, but pro-India, and did not vote for the BJP in the last election. Nevertheless, he accepts Narendra Modi as India’s Prime Minister and hence by extension, his own PM. This podcast is one of Gen Shankar’s finest introspective pieces, masterfully integrating military, economic, political, and cultural factors to explain India’s unstoppable rise as a global force in the 21st century. Gen Shankar freely acknowledges America and China as superpowers currently hold more economic and military power than India which is major regional but battle tested power. Gen Shankar goes on to add the America China dyad are inevitably declining, and he pithily says why. India inexorably ascends to become the second global superpower by mid-21st century, trailed by a decaying United States. Gen Shankar astutely observes that every nation and culture has its day. As India rises, Failed Marshal Asim Munir, Trump’s blue-eyed boy and terrorist Pakistan continue to attempt genocidal jihadi Gazwa-e-Hind games.
    New York

  • Readers Write

    Dear Editor,
    https://www.theindianpanorama.news/editorial-comment/save-america-from-its-guns-and-its-wars/

    Dave Makkar

    Gun control in America has the potential to protect lives, though it remains one of the nation’s most debated issues. The United States suffers more gun-related deaths than most developed nations, including homicides, suicides, and mass shootings. Common-sense measures such as universal background checks, waiting periods, and restrictions on high-capacity or military-style weapons could reduce access to firearms by dangerous individuals, including those with violent histories or severe mental health issues, while preserving the rights of responsible owners. Evidence from countries like Australia and the United Kingdom shows that stronger gun laws can significantly decrease gun violence. Critics argue that criminals often ignore laws, and restrictions could leave law-abiding citizens vulnerable. The challenge is to strike a balance between personal freedom and public safety. By closing loopholes and focusing on prevention, America could reduce gun deaths. Ultimately, the right to live safely should outweigh political gridlock and partisanship.
    New Jersey

  • Readers Write

    Dear Editor,
    https://www.theindianpanorama.news/editorial-comment/save-america-from-its-guns-and-its-wars/

    Anu Jain

    As someone raised with Indian values of peace and non-violence, I find it heartbreaking to see so many innocent lives lost to gun violence in America. In my culture, true strength is measured not by destruction, but by the ability to protect life. America is a land of great opportunity and freedom, yet freedom should never mean living in fear—fear that a child may not return home from school or that a simple trip to the store could turn tragic.

    I respect the right to safety and self-defense, but with rights come responsibilities. Responsible limits are essential: stronger background checks, psychological evaluations, safe storage laws, and sensible restrictions on weapons of war. These steps can save lives while still honoring individual rights.

    Life is the most sacred gift. If America can lead the world in science, innovation, and democracy, it can also lead to building a society where non-violence is not just a dream, but a way of life.
    Long Island, NY
    516-728-4186

  • Readers Write

    Dear Editor,
    Apropos of your editorial comment “Save America from its guns and its wars.
    https://www.theindianpanorama.news/editorial-comment/save-america-from-its-guns-and-its-wars/

    Ashook Ramsaran

    Gun violence in America is a prevalent, mind-numbing social dilemma resulting in deaths and injuries to people of all ages and social groups, but particularly high among lower income and minority groups. It is heart wrenching to see the continuing pattern of children being massacred in schools, while gun advocates hide behind the façade of so-called constitutional protection. “Thoughts and prayers” are momentary salves for a nation that bleeds every day from this manmade scourge. It is unfortunate, and unbecoming, that elected officials are beholden to gun rights advocates and manufacturers while their constituents clamor for sensible gun safety and laws. The inability and fear among elected officials to do the right things to protect citizens from gun violence is a shameful act of cowardice.
    Ashook Ramsaran
    President, Indian Diaspora Council International
    New York

  • PASSPORT WOES

    Hello, my name is Chirag Patil.

    I live in the state of Washington and I’m a legal resident of the USA. I applied for passport renewal and my mail was received by the consulate at San Francisco on December 5th 2023.

    I received an email from escalationssfo@vfsglobal.com on December 8th 2023 asking for additional documents which was the marriage certificate and a letter explaining my current marital status. I sent them both via courier and they received it by December 29th 2023 and then I heard nothing back for over 2 months. Again, on February 23rd 2024 I received the same email asking for same documentation,  which I sent them both via courier and then received no email response nor any call. The tracking status on their website would say- ‘Passport application is under review’.

    I contacted VFS Global in the interim via paid calls and they said their Job is to just take care of application and my case is with the consulate and they cannot do anything further. I was confused and worried because it was over 4 months. I emailed the same email (escalationssfo@vfsglobal.com) multiple times and received no response. I tried calling the consulate but they have no helpline numbers where you can speak to someone.  So, I called the emergency number and they said, they cannot do anything since it’s not a family or medical emergency and hung up the call. I was losing hope at this point.

    I tried contacting the San Francisco consulate via email. I emailed each and every email Id found on their website asking for update or any help and that I was stressed and wanted to travel home for over one year, I emailed these accounts- (cg.sf@mea.gov.in, consuloci.sf@mea.gov.in, dcg.sf@mea.gov.in, misc.sf@mea.gov.in, passport.sf@mea.gov.in, passport1.sf@mea.gov.in,  vcoci.sf@mea.gov.in, misc.sf@mea.gov.in, passport.sf@mea.gov.in

    I emailed them all on April 29th 2024, June 26th 2024, August 19th 2024, August 25th 2024, September 24th 2024, October 31st 2024, November 11th 2024, January 9th 2025 and  I received not a single email response or any point of communication from the consulate.

    In the meantime,  I tried looking for help to expedite my process and found an agent who at that time was in Florida. Even after being a legal resident in the US, I was asked to pay thousands of dollars to check on it which I couldn’t afford.

    Meanwhile my grandmother was sick and I had no option but to go see her which was sad and frustrating.

    I had lost hope and luckily through some medium in January 2025(13 months since I applied) I found out about REDIO and their role in helping Indians overseas, Upon contacting Dhanashree Patil ma’am, she swiftly responded and got my case to the attention of Mr. Prem Bhandari sir who lives in New York and takes pride in helping those in need. He got in touch with me and started taking notes of all the details till date. Since their calls at VFS are charged $2.48/min , he called VFS Global multiple times using his personal credit card and spoke with them about this case. Finally,  after he asked VFS to explain and get this case resolved, initially they would give the same answer but after he spoke to them and explained who he was and held them accountable, they started working on it. VFS asked me for the same documents again which they asked 14 months ago which I had sent them via courier twice already.

    He used his Twitter handle @PremBhandariNYC to keep the responsible authorities accountable and it helped. After the wait of 14 months and 27 days, they initiated a police verification for my passport renewal and Mr. Prem Bhandari sir wasn’t pleased with that. His words and hold of power in the Indian diaspora is very strong and hence they skipped the police verification process and printed my passport the next day and I received it on March 04 2025,  after 14 months and 29 days.

    It took Mr. Prem Bhandari sir less than 2 weeks to get everything done for me.

    I have never met this person before or have any personal relation with him, but he showed me the true meaning of ‘Seva’,  and our Indian Government and our Indian community should be proud to have people like him  who selflessly help others in need without expecting a single rupee in return.

    I am touched by his helping nature and way of getting things done,  and it’s inspirational to young people like me.

    The whole process was such a stressful and frustrating one. If Bhandari sir had not helped me out, I would still be clueless and would not be able to see my ailing grandmother.

    Now I can finally make travel plans to visit home. Thank you so much to Mr. Prem Bhandari sir and team REDIO for helping people like me in times of need.

    Chirag Patil

    Washington, USA

    The Indian Panorama welcomes readers’ complaints, suggestions and views. Please email to salujaindra@gmail.com

  • Congratulations to ISRO scientists for the historic landing of Chandrayan-3

    ‘India has made tremendous strides in space exploration by landing the Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole. It is a remarkable achievement for the scientific community in India that makes the whole nation proud of this pioneering effort.  We also owe a debt of gratitude to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who started the Chandrayan program, and the current government that has taken the program forward,” said George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA.

    India’s space journey began on February 23, 1962, with the formation of INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research), thanks to the vision of Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai with the crucial support and guidance by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime Minister of India. INCOSPAR was later renamed to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) in 1969. IOCUSA congratulates all scientists, technical staff, and others for their dedicated effort that has made history today.

    George Abraham,

    Vice Chairman, IOC USA

    New York