Letters
Letters
| THE ARTICLE “INDIANS IN MALAYSIA: An Alienated Community,” (June 2007) downplays the important contribution of Tamilians to Malaysia. The capital is named Putra Jaya and the two northern states in Malaysia have Tamil names like Pettani and Kedah. The Malays call themselves Bumi Putra, which too is Tamil. SIVANANDAN SEGASOTHY Via eMail
THE ARTICLE “MICROFINANCE GOES Digital,” (June 2007) was great. I am an active member of Kiva and lend small amounts to two women in South America and two others in Kenya, Africa. I am happy with my experience. My son and his friend also joined Kiva and are very happy to help people uplift their lives. I hope Kiva gets permission to operate in India so we can also help people in India. I encourage everyone to contribute as little as $25 a year to one member in any country to help them uplift themselves. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOLD editorial “Immigration Deform,” (June 2007). It is unfortunate that other Indian media have been so passive in the immigration debate. This is one of the core issues for the Indian community and it is important that we participate in the dialogue. I agree with you that rushing the bill through without full public debate will be disastrous for America and immigrants alike. I LOVED YOUR REDESIGN. THE MAGAZINE continues to evolve with the times and stay relevant and appealing for the community. The cover article “Nursing Success” (June 2007) on Indian nurses reveals the reasons behind the success of the Indian community. It is a voice politicians debating immigration need to hear. Sudhir’s article makes one think about the meaning of love and marriage in the context of our lives not only as Desis, but also as human beings. The institution of marriage, arranged or through love marriage, in itself is as intricate as the fabric of our culture. One of the differences in Indian culture is that love marriages are by and large not expected to work long term, possibly because the in-love couple is believed not to share the values of their ancestors. Hence they are considered rebellious in nature. Family pressure, due to social attitudes, as Kakar points out, does not help in the longevity or happiness of such marriages. Does this mean arranged marriages are generally happy, simply because society accepts them? What if the dream of romantic love is never realized in an arranged marriage? Does it mean that such a life is incomplete or the marriage lacking? Love is indeed one of the few constants left in the world, yet we all know that love does not necessarily translate into the same thing or have the meaning for everyone who enters into the institution of marriage, arranged or otherwise. Not everyone can experience “madder music, stronger wine,” as the article quotes Tolstoy’s words. It is sad that love marriages are reputed to be generally unhappy, because, at times, our social structure leaves little room for the nurturing of such unions. What are we so afraid of? Do we think if more love marriages worked, family ties, ingrained values and beliefs would disappear over time? Some of us believe marriages are made in heaven, yet we expend all of our energies arranging them on earth. Editor’s Note: We stand corrected. Shah Rukh Khan’s reported tax contribution was Rs. 140 million. |
