Letters

The article on “The Top Indian Doctors in America,” (December 2007), focused on the great services rendered by Indian doctors in the USA. While one cannot but laud their achievements, I fail to see how India stands to gain from these physicians.

While the U.S. has made astronomical strides in medicine and an average American (including NRI Indians) can get the best medical care, their Indian brethren fall far short. Rural health care is almost totally absent in India and whatever little is available, cannot be relied upon. The few government run primary health centers do not even have the basic prerequisites, like oxygen cylinders, X-ray, ultra sound scans, etc. Add to that the indifference of the staff and corruption.

The U.S. has enough doctors who can take care of the country’s needs and isn’t begging to import foreign doctors. For any person taking up this profession, the primary aim should be service to the community. Earnings, albeit important, should be secondary.

These Indian American doctors, who have been here for decades, could not be wanting in money. The Indian rural poor need their services. The Indian state and central governments are increasing their budgetary allocations for rural health programs. In India, doctors are resisting compulsory rural service. Perhaps these well heeled Indian American doctors could step up to the challenge and take up local challenges, thereby making their lives and achievements more meaningful.
S. Swaminathan, Houston, Texas

I underwent a successful open-heart surgery by a team of doctors headed by Dr Valluvan Jeevanandam, head cardiac surgeon at the University of Chicago Medical Center, who is featured on the cover of your magazine “Top Indian Doctors in America” (December 2007).
The doctor took extreme care to ensure that the operation was successful. He also took time to visit me each day when I was an in-patient in the ward. Such a doctor gives confidence to his patients, which is crucial in serious life-threatening illnesses.

I was convalescing in the hospital when your article was published. Such articles inspire confidence in your magazine.
Sundar Coimbatore, Via eMail

I was quite disappointed to see so much space devoted Senator Barack Obama in “Power Politics” (January 2008). In particular, I was upset at the “feel good” nonsense spouted, like Bushisms, by one supporter: “I have looked him straight in the eye and I can tell you first hand that the man believes in what he says.”

My daughter, a Democrat activist at Georgetown University also had a first hand experience with Sen. Obama when he gave a speech there last year. After the speech he was approached by my Indian daughter and an Anglo-Saxon friend for a handshake, a few words and a photo op. Sen. Obama was brusque, rude and stated that he was too busy for a picture with them. A few steps later he was stopped by an African American woman, who made the identical request. Without hesitation he spoke to her for a few minutes and posed for a photograph, all within feet of my daughter and her friend.

I have tried to contact the senator’s staff by phone and e-mail to communicate the disappointment of the two young girls, but have had no response.

My daughter and I will certainly vote for the person his staff tried to insult as the “Senator from Punjab,” Sen. Hillary Clinton, and pray that in the final analysis others, young and old, will value the experience and proven loyalty to Indians of the Clintons. I hope I won’t be forced to make a choice between Sen. Obama and Sen. John McCain.
Jan Vyas, Via eMail

The article “The White Sheep” (January 2008) was awesome. She is white and she is beautiful! All that matters is what is in her heart, and it’s curry.
Allia, Via eMail

Anna N. Dhody Hager’s article “The White Sheep” was excellent. Anna knows who she is and I know who she is too – wonderful woman and friend!
Vivian Gast, Via eMail

Thank you for the scintillat-ing Iberian adventure in “Footloose Indian in Santa Maria de Belem,” (January 2008). As some one who has just returned from Portugal after spending much time – too much time, you’d say – in Casino de Lisboa, instead of taking in the scenery of the city, I was intrigued by the narration. Janardhan Roye’s travelogue gave a great idea of the place and I have vowed to move away from the gaming attractions and explore more Belem the next time I am there in April.

Thanks for the many tips and congratulations to your writer for putting together an imaginative and romantic travelogue.
Celina P. Varghese, Sherman Oaks, Calif.