Can Prime Minister Modi Overcome the Hesitations of History Again?
By V.K. Raju
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States marked another chapter in the long, complex journey of India–US relations. It was a celebration of friendship, shared values, and mutual aspirations. As I said then—with both enthusiasm and hope—India and the US need real Maitri (friendship) for the sake of world peace.
The relationship between the two nations goes back decades. Under Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, ties were warm and full of promise. President Kennedy famously remarked that “the hinge of fate in Asia rests with India.” When President Eisenhower visited India in 1959 to inaugurate the first US Embassy, he expressed a vision that still resonates today: if American and Indian children grew up as best friends, the world would be a safer and better place.
But the warmth did not last uninterrupted. In 1965, relations shifted sharply, reaching one of their lowest points during President Nixon’s tenure.
Fast forward to December 2024, when Richard Verma, US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, addressed the 25th Annual Gala of the US–India Chamber of Commerce in Dallas, Texas. He acknowledged—and echoed—Prime Minister Modi’s earlier words: that the US and India have “overcome the hesitations of history” in their partnership.
The challenge now is to sustain that momentum in a rapidly changing and often turbulent world. The wisdom of history reminds us of what is truly at stake. As historian Dr. Arnold Toynbee once wrote:
“It is already becoming clear that a chapter which has a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race…. At this supremely dangerous moment in human history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way-Emperor Ashoka’s and Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence and Sri Ramakrishna’s testimony to the harmony of religions. Here we have an attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together into a single family-and, in the Atomic Age, this is the only alternative to destroying ourselves.” Stay Safe”.
(The writer is a West Virginia-based ophthalmologist. He is the President of the Eye Foundation of America. He can be reached at vkraju@comcast.net)
“Is there no virtue among us, if there be not, we are in a wretched situation?” – James Madison
The bond between the world’s most powerful democracy and the world’s most populous democracy is so deep and enduring that while Columbus obviously made a mistake in thinking that he had discovered India when he landed on the shores of America, it was a mistake of symbolic significance. The United States and India are indentured to the same ideals and aspirations. The founding fathers of Indian constitution drew largely upon USA’s fundamental law and liberty – the external frame lights Indian constitution as luminously as it does in USA.
Is United States heading into its greatest political and constitutional crisis since the Civil War?(1/6 capitol insurrection and most recent Roe v. Wade overturn). The warning signs maybe obscured by the distraction of politics, pandemic, the economy and global crises. Liberal democracy requires acceptance of adverse electoral results; a willingness to countenance the temporary rule of those with whom we disagree. As historian Richard Hofstadter observed, it requires that people endure error in the interest of social peace. The participants of January 6 proved and preferred to define constitutional and democratic norms. I never ever thought that Americans can support a violent assault on the Capitol.
The people of India and the United States have always had sentiments of friendship and goodwill towards each other, the governments of the two countries a few years ago found it difficult to be on the same wavelength.
These recent events bear witness to the shaping and molding of a new world order marked by raising awareness of the need of justice and moral values. This doom and gloom shall pass when the leaders have the wisdom to perceive the truth and the courage to say it to the people.
Eye Foundation of America will hold a friend/ fundraiser on June 5, 2021. It will be a virtual event, being co-hosted by Eye Foundation of America, AAPI, GAPIO and Rotary. The virtual event will start at 9 PM EST.
Speaking with The Indian Panorama, Eye Foundation of America founder and chairman Dr. VK Raju, an eminent ophthalmologist said that the evnt has been planned as a mix of scholarly deliberations and entertainment.
Joe Manchin, US Senator West Virginia
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) was sworn into the United States Senate on November 15, 2010 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Senator Robert C. Byrd. For Senator Manchin, serving as West Virginia’s Senator is truly an honor and a privilege.
Born and raised in the small coal mining town of Farmington, W.Va., Sen. Manchin grew up learning the values that all West Virginians share — family, common sense, fairness and hard work. From his days as a state legislator to his six years as Governor to his current role, Senator Manchin has always been committed to his philosophy of “retail government” — in other words, connecting with all of his constituents and making service to them his top priority. Throughout his public life, he has never let politics or ideology stand in the way of commonsense solutions. Instead, he believes that only by putting politics aside and working hard to bring people together can we do what is right for West Virginia and the nation.
As a Senator, Joe Manchin is committed to bringing this same spirit of bipartisanship to Washington. As he has done throughout his entire life, he remains committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to find commonsense solutions to the problems our country faces and is working hard to usher in a new bipartisan spirit in the Senate and Congress.
Legislatively, job creation is Senator Manchin’s top priority, and he believes that government should act as a partner, not an adversary, in helping to create the environment that produces good American jobs. Senator Manchin currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and also serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs – four critical committees that tackle the important work of addressing our nation’s energy needs, overseeing discretionary spending, standing up for our Veterans, and defending our nation.
Eye Foundation of America will be honoring distinguished ophthalmologists from aound the world. They include Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao, Dr. R. D. Ravindran, Joel S. Schuman, Dr. Pradeep Y Ramulu,Dr. Peter J. McDonnell, and Dr. SS Badrinath.
Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao
Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao is the founder – Chair of L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, and Former President of Academi a Ophthalmologica Internationalis” and former Chair and President of the” International Agency for the prevention of Blindness “
Among his numerous accolades, he received Doctor of Science, university of Melbourne and International Blindness Prevention award from American academy of ophthalmology. He is a Padma Shri and was elected in 2017 to the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame by American Society of cataract and refractive surgery and in 2020 honored by the All-India Ophthalmological Society by the institution of “Gullapalli N Rao -AIOS Annual Lecture ” (one among the first five honorees). He published over 200 scientific articles in peer reviewed journals.
The eye Foundation of America, along with our Collaborating organizations, is thrilled to honor this great physician, scholar, and humanitarian.
Dr. R. D. Ravindran
Dr. R. D. Ravindran is the chairman of Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai. He is an outstanding surgeon and leader with numerous accolades. In 2015, he was one among the “100 Compassionate leaders” of SALT magazine.
Dr Ravindran started his practice under G. Venkata Swamy the founder of Aravind Eye care system in 1987. Every time Aravind opens a new center he was identified to be the chief and thus has vast hands-on experience in science of building and replicating hospitals. He served as a regional co-chair of the International Association for prevention of blindness, and the Board member of Vision2020: The right to sight-India since 2008. He has numerous scientific publications and reviewer of many Ophthalmic journals.
He has numerous leadership positions in International prevention of Blindness organizations.
The eye Foundation of America, along with our Collaborating organizations, is thrilled to honor this great physician, scholar, and humanitarian.
Joel S. Schuman
Joel S. Schuman, MD, FACS is the Elaine Langone Professor and Vice Chair for
Research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Professor of Neuroscience & Physiology at NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
He is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and Professor of Neural Science in the Center for Neural Science at NYU College of Arts and Sciences.
He chaired the ophthalmology department at NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine 2016-2020 and at University of Pittsburgh/UPMC 2003-2016.
At Tufts University 1991-2003 he was Residency Director and Glaucoma and Cataract Service Chief. Dr. Schuman and his colleagues were first to identify a molecular marker for human glaucoma, published in Nature Medicine in 2001. Continuously funded by the National Eye Institute as a principal investigator since 1995, he is an inventor of optical coherence tomography (OCT), used world-wide for ocular diagnostics.
Dr. Schuman has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. Dr. Schuman has received numerous awards and is a 2012 Champalimaud Award Laureate.
The Eye Foundation of America, along with our collaborating organizations, is thrilled to honor this great physician, scholar, and humanitarian.
Dr. Pradeep Y Ramulu
Dr. Pradeep Y Ramulu MD, PhD is a glaucoma specialist and the director of Glaucoma division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. He is well known for his exceptional basic and clinical research in glaucoma. He received awards from American academy of ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and most recently Pisart Award from Lighthouse Guild.
He is fluent in English, Spanish and Telugu languages. He vast expertise in cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery and pediatric glaucoma. He has varied research interests in Visual disability and Rehabilitation, Aging and Vision. He has numerous publications in peer reviewed scientific journals.
The Eye Foundation of America, along with our collaborating organizations, is thrilled to honor this great physician, scholar and humanitarian.
Dr. Peter J. McDonnell
Dr. Peter J. McDonnell is the director of Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore. He received numerous national and International awards for teaching, research, and leadership. He belongs to the society of Heeds Fellows, Doheny Society of scholars, Hall of Fame, ARCS Foundation.
He is editor of the Ophthalmology Times. He is President of National Alliance of Eye and Vision research. He is specialist in Corneal diseases and surgery, Dr. McDonnell is an International Leader in Corneal Transplantation, Laser refractive surgery and treatment of Dry Eye.
The Eye Foundation of America, along with our collaborating organizations, is thrilled to honor this great physician, scholar and humanitarian.
Dr. SS Badrinath
Dr. SS Badrinath is Founder and Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. He is an elected fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences and Padma Bhushan. After finishing Retina Fellowship under Charles Schepens at Retina Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston returned to Chennai and introduced outstanding Vitreo – Retinal service in India and trained numerous retinal surgeons.
Dr. Badrinath is not well. We wish him health.
Trio Solace Musicians/ Band
On top of it all, Eye foundation of America has in attendance the famous band Trio Solace from New York to keep the guests entertained.
In 2017, Kamala D. Harris was sworn in as a United States Senator for California, the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. She serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.
The Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden has selected as his running mate for VP, Senator Kamala D. Harris who is of Indian origin (her mother is a Tamilian). Fathered by a black Jamaican, Kamala is black.
The Indian Panorama decided to have the view of readers on her selection as a candidate for the second highest office of the most powerful nation in the world.
It is a mixed bag of approval and disapproval.
Here is what the readers said.
New Jersey based senior journalist Ashok Ojha
“A proud moment awaits all Indian-Americans who might see Democratic candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, as the winners in the November election. Should they win we will see Kamala Harris, a woman of color and of Indian origin, as the Vice President of USA. If it happens it would be the first time in the history of USA.
The majority of Indian-Americans are of progressive bend that aligns with the personality of Kamala. For this reason alone, majority of Indian Americans may vote for Democrats in the forthcoming presidential election.
Senator Kamala currently serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget. She possesses all the experiences needed to function as the Vice-President of USA. She has the experience working as a top law enforcement officer since 2003 as California’s Attorney General.
I wish to see Kamala elected as she possesses the kind of character it requires to stand up to the powerful. She resolved to spend her life advocating for those who could not defend themselves.
As the VP of the most powerful nation of the world I expect her to be fair and objective while dealing with India. It would be up to the Indian leader to take advantage of the Vice-Presidential office where someone of Indian origin would be sitting.”
Community activist , Long Island based Real Estate broker Anu Jain
“Kamala Harris is the best choice in the era of Black Lives Matter. As the daughter of immigrants who came to this country as students and became civil rights activists, she is a woman of diversity at a time when we need diverse voices in leadership. Because of her background she understands the tapestry of America. Her experiences and past will inspire Americans.
By selecting Harris, Biden has most definitely made history. As the first Black and first Indian American woman on a national ticket, she is going to be transformational and will energize the base. And, if they win, she will help change the view of women in politics forever. But this election is about one, and only one, person — Donald Trump. Harris’ selection has definitely put Trump’s campaign in a hard spot.”
Morgantown, WV based eminent ophthalmologist Dr. VK Raju
“Yes, we are proud and elated that Kamala Harris is selected to the vice-presidential ticket of the democratic party.
It’s an honor for every one of us. It is a historical and an outstanding achievement and The American dream is quite alive!
In spite of her extraordinary busy schedule, she has written two non-fiction books and one children’s book.
She is tough and tender which is a rare and exceptional quality.
On the other hand, we will be even prouder if we clean up Mata River Ganga. (like they did river Thames.) Today, river Thames is the cleanest river that flows through a major city. This was a major accomplishment considering that fifty years ago, the river was so polluted that it was declared biologically dead. May I add, we will be profoundly proud when we change the life of a young girl in India. Band aid changes will not do; real implementation of the promises of the leaders in public is needed. Then, sky is the limit for India!”
Washington DC based Community activist and promoter of pluralism Mike Ghouse
“Congratulations to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and the Democratic Party for selecting the right candidate. Biden made his first right decision by selecting Kamala Harris as his running mate. She will be one of the best VP’s America ever had.
Kamala will change the role of Vice-presidency and be more active in domestic politics, and most certainly, she will not be a docile poodle like Pence. Kamala will stand her ground; we needed a VP who can say no to the president; she will be the one.
Is there an Indian who has not read about Kamala Harris? I have lapped up everything that came across about Kamala. She makes us proud of being an Indian American, she and our Indian American Congressmen give us hope and are the role models for the next generation.
Sen. Harris is progressive and inclusive. She will not buy into the prejudices that hold the nation back. Her intellectualism is a breath of fresh air; indeed, it is worth watching her grill Judge Bret Kavanaugh and attorney general nominee William Barr.
She is the perfect candidate for Vice-president and I will be voting for her and possibly campaign, as I did for Obama. By the way, I am an independent voter.
I have run into her several times in the Hart Senate Building, and her office is the first office as you enter the building. I have given her my book American Muslim Agenda, a book about building a cohesive America.
One of the questions that haunt me is to find out if Kamala Harris had faced exclusion from the Indian American community while growing up, as her father was black. Indian Americans are still struggling with racism, casteism, and prejudices.
Kamala Harris will undoubtedly work for stronger ties with India, provided Modi Bhai gets his act together. She will not tolerate Modi’s hatred for fellow Indians who are Christians and Muslims.
The blind Modi Worshippers will work hard for Trump as their racism aligns with Trumps’. The Good news is they are a few of them, and it will not make a dent.
Kamala owes an apology to the Sikh community for how she opposed the Turbans in the police force while she was the Attorney General of California.
I am not voting for Kamala, because she is of Indian Origin, I have been a fan of hers since I watched her grill Kavanaugh and Barr. She will be a great vice-President.”
New Jersey based businessman and a community activist Dave Makkar
“Kamala Harris has created history by being the 3rd woman , 1st Black & 1st Indian American to be running for Vice President of America. Being an American, I am proud of my country that after electing its first Black President in 2008 we are definitely moving beyond race, religion & gender.
Then as an Indian American, I have mixed feelings for Kamala’s candidacy. She always claims that she & her sister were raised by her mother, who was from India, as Black. That’s the most admirable thing about her for identifying herself with both cultures. The most disturbing well-known fact about her that she used her sexuality to ride to the top in politics. An unfair means to grab power. I don’t care about her sexual preferences but it is unethical & unfair just like the use of money or muscle power to grab power. Lot of male politicians had affairs and mistresses but they never used it to ride to the top. Fair competition is the foundations of democracy. If women rise to the top by sleeping with people in power the democratic system will no longer be supported by people of talent and principles. Such people are flash only with no substance and lack ideological compass. Use of money power, muscle power or sexuality in politics is worst for a country & its citizen. Live example is the plight of Indians currently ruled by politicians with flash only, no substance and total lack of ideological compass. They gained power by using muscle power, money power and religion.
Kamala being an opportunist lacks political ideology, always combine her flash with her killer political instinct. She adopted Bernie Sander’s policies to claim she believes in progressive left policies and then abandoned him to claim she is a moderate when she ran for President!. Even before the first vote was cast for primaries; she abandoned her bid for President after major flip flops in debates. Her flip flops, low poll numbers & even rock bottom Black votes during primaries will be a drag on Biden. Biden who is famous for his gaffes for over 4 decades in Washington; lately his gaffes have become a serious matter of concern about his health. If elected he will be of Regan’s age when he left office. That is a matter of grave concerns; Kamala with hardly any political ideology and stamina for political fights that she can take over as President if the need arises. So the voters should keep all these things in their mind when they will vote to Elect the President of the most cherished and powerful democracy in the world; United States of America!”
Long Island, New York based political analyst and commentator Vibhuti Jha
“Congratulations to Senator Kamala Harris for her nomination to Mr. Biden’s ticket for the position of the Vice President. It’s proverbially known as a position that is a heartbeat away from Presidency! No VP candidate has drawn bigger attention as she has done and there are good reasons to analyze in that regard. She will give a much-needed flamboyance to the Biden campaign and as a former Attorney General of California she brings with her an enormous ability to argue a position as anyone can do. She is the best of all available option except perhaps for Ms. Warren, perhaps.
That said , we Indians need not go mushy or sentimental or emotional about her “Indian” heritage ! She is not an ABCD since she carefully crafted her future as a black woman and her entire political career is woven around the identity of her black color. Her mother is a Tamil Brahmin and that’s where her things Indian ends. What we must bear in mind relates to her position on matters relating to India and that is not a positive given her past statements against laws passed in Indian parliament with overwhelming mandate.
In any case , the position of Vice President is vital in this election given Mr. Biden is almost 78 and thus the VP has to be battle ready from day one. I am of the opinion , that since Mr. Biden is a one term President, he might choose to step down ( for a variety of reasons) mid-way to pave way for the first ever ascent to the Presidency by a woman in America! Highly probable !
Mr. Biden will lose or win based entirely on his performance! His policy pronouncements have been remarkably anti-India and thus , Indians would do well to vote Trump whose policies have been truly pro India. For the first ever time , US and India have taken joint action to hit China for its Wuhan virus and border attacks by banning Chinese app makers. The battle has just begun. Democrats , Biden and his son have had murky financial equations with China !
Beware Indians of the Democrats in this 2020 elections. Do nothing that hurts our country of origin !”
Dr. A. D. Amar , President, Indian-Americans for Trump
“The Kamala Harris selection by Biden to be his running mate has a lot of significance for the Indian-Americans, some positive, some negative. It will excite many Indian-Americans. This is the closest India has come to the Oval Office. With Biden being 77-year old and she 55, there is a very good chance that she could be the president during Biden’s first term, if there is a Biden win.
However, there is a lot of negative in the Indian-Americans for her. Until she was contesting for the President, during the Democratic primary season, she had not associated herself with the Indian-American population. That is why, at a debate podium, questions were raised to her about her being of Indian heritage and hiding it. That opened this issue for her. Several reporters, since, asked her openly about her not espousing her Indian descent. It was only then that she accepted her Indian blood.
I am sure this question will come to haunt her during the presidential campaign. Both Indian-Americans and the Trump-supporting reporters will not let it die. No matter what, this lack of her association with her Indian heritage will have some negative effect on the Indian-American votes for Biden.
This election cycle, the Indian-Americans for Trump has been expecting a big turnout of the Indian-Americans for Trump, some of which will be dampened. Nevertheless, Harris’ selection by Biden will send negative vibes among the black voters. While many of them may not vote for Trump, the lack of enthusiasm for the Biden-Harris ticket will keep them home on the election day.
Nevertheless, Trump will still win hands down. The Indian Americans for Trump will make sure of it.”
Queens, New York based community and political activist Malini Shah
“Kamala Harris is the right choice and would make a great Vice President .She brings with her stability, steadiness and diversity .Very experience and fights for rights of all communities.”
Long Island, New York based veteran community leader Indu Jaiswal
“ I am extremely delighted that Kamala Harris has been nominated by the Democratic Party for Vice President Position. She is of Indian Origin. Hence , she makes all proud. She is a good choice. Wishing her all the best.”
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