I was going through my Google Reader today and noticed that a friend of mine had shared two articles that individually caught my interest. But seeing the headlines of the two articles together was what inspired this post:
- N.Y. Times to File Notice It Will Close Boston Globe
- Bush Library Raises $100 Million in 100 days
Sunday mornings, I would sit on the carpet in my living room with the various sections of the Boston Globe strewn around me. Granted, I was quite young and gravitated towards the front page and the comics. But I learned how to read newspapers on Sunday mornings. My love for the news can be traced back to the Boston Globe.
And these libraries. I appreciate what these libraries represent and the role they play in preserving history. But who goes to these libraries? Not enough to warrant one for each president - especially when they come at more than $100 million a pop.
Now, far be it for me to suggest where people should donate their money. It just struck me that there is $100 million that people are willing to give for a library - enough to cover the Boston Globe's expected losses this year. Or a better way to think of it: which institution touches more people?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
On civic responsibility and paying taxes
I know I haven't written in a long time and I would like to write about my move to Washington, DC (surprise! to anyone who didn't know). But I'm going to push that to another day.
Instead, I would like to write about an event I attended yesterday at a very interesting cafe. The speaker was Howard Zinn - a man I have deeply admired since I first heard him speak at Johns Hopkins a couple years ago. The focus of his talk was the new Obama administration and how it is still our civic responsibility to put pressure on our new president. His point, which is valid, is that we've placed so much hope on Obama. But we forget - he too is a politician. What I appreciated was, rather than bashing politics, Zinn was sending the message of civic responsibility. A message we often forget. But that's why I voted for Obama - he campaigned on that message. A little more in my next post (yes the one in which I discuss my new DC life) about whether or not he's selling out. But first...
Of course civic responsibility seems a lot to ask for these days. With the controversies surrounding Daschle, Geithner and Kellifer, personal responsibility seems to be the new target. I'm so torn. I'm confident that Daschle, at least, would have been a good HHS Secretary. I still don't know enough about Geithner and Kellifer, but they were nominated for a reason, right?
But what kind of world do we live in if our leaders owe $150,000 in taxes? I mean, at least they've been put under pressure because of it; which is more than I can say for a country like India. But what about all those people - poor, middle class, wealthy - who DO pay their taxes? Who don't make mistakes on their taxes? Who fix mistakes as soon as they receive a notice from the IRS? What can you say to them?
Backtracking a little bit - Howard Zinn is quite a humorous man. I picked up a copy of A People's History (which he signed! eek!) Going to re-read that after I finish Three Cups of Tea.
Instead, I would like to write about an event I attended yesterday at a very interesting cafe. The speaker was Howard Zinn - a man I have deeply admired since I first heard him speak at Johns Hopkins a couple years ago. The focus of his talk was the new Obama administration and how it is still our civic responsibility to put pressure on our new president. His point, which is valid, is that we've placed so much hope on Obama. But we forget - he too is a politician. What I appreciated was, rather than bashing politics, Zinn was sending the message of civic responsibility. A message we often forget. But that's why I voted for Obama - he campaigned on that message. A little more in my next post (yes the one in which I discuss my new DC life) about whether or not he's selling out. But first...
Of course civic responsibility seems a lot to ask for these days. With the controversies surrounding Daschle, Geithner and Kellifer, personal responsibility seems to be the new target. I'm so torn. I'm confident that Daschle, at least, would have been a good HHS Secretary. I still don't know enough about Geithner and Kellifer, but they were nominated for a reason, right?
But what kind of world do we live in if our leaders owe $150,000 in taxes? I mean, at least they've been put under pressure because of it; which is more than I can say for a country like India. But what about all those people - poor, middle class, wealthy - who DO pay their taxes? Who don't make mistakes on their taxes? Who fix mistakes as soon as they receive a notice from the IRS? What can you say to them?
Backtracking a little bit - Howard Zinn is quite a humorous man. I picked up a copy of A People's History (which he signed! eek!) Going to re-read that after I finish Three Cups of Tea.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
On the importance of vision
Yesterday, I went to the Mary Howard Health Center in Philadelphia. The Center, which provides health care to the city's homeless population, was announcing it is expanding its services to include vision care. Well, the first thing I thought of was Bagar and the Eye Camp and how I was so skeptical of how many people were in need of vision care - and then 1,000 people showed up. Eyes and teeth aren't the first thing one considers when it comes to health care. But imagine not being able to see. And other health issues, like hypertension and anemia can identified through an eye exam. As one doctor yesterday put it, "an eye exam can often be an entry point into the health care system."
At the Health Center, I met a woman named Constance. For years, she was homeless. Through Travelers Aid of Philadelphia, she has been in permanent housing for two years. She was a pleasure - witty, funny and so empowered! She has a few eye issues - poor sight, glaucoma, a slight cataract - so she does go for regular eye exams. But she's getting a stronger prescription for her glasses for the first time in three years. She has needed the stronger prescription for a long time, but hasn't been able to because her insurance doesn't cover the cost of new glasses.
Cosntance is on the boards of various organizations - Homes for the Homeless, the Homeless Advocacy Project, etc. Not the image I would have of a homeless person. I was interviewing her for a radio story and we got into a discussion about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and how difficult it is to eat healthy food and how the people who decide what glasses cost or how much someone receives in food stamps never actually had to buy food or glasses on a monthly budget of $660.40.
She was so excited about the new vision care program at the Health Center because being able to see or being able to get rid of constant headaches is a big deal for people who don't have much.
At the Health Center, I met a woman named Constance. For years, she was homeless. Through Travelers Aid of Philadelphia, she has been in permanent housing for two years. She was a pleasure - witty, funny and so empowered! She has a few eye issues - poor sight, glaucoma, a slight cataract - so she does go for regular eye exams. But she's getting a stronger prescription for her glasses for the first time in three years. She has needed the stronger prescription for a long time, but hasn't been able to because her insurance doesn't cover the cost of new glasses.
Cosntance is on the boards of various organizations - Homes for the Homeless, the Homeless Advocacy Project, etc. Not the image I would have of a homeless person. I was interviewing her for a radio story and we got into a discussion about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and how difficult it is to eat healthy food and how the people who decide what glasses cost or how much someone receives in food stamps never actually had to buy food or glasses on a monthly budget of $660.40.
She was so excited about the new vision care program at the Health Center because being able to see or being able to get rid of constant headaches is a big deal for people who don't have much.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sonal's most recent statement
Statement of Sonal Shah.
I was recently maligned by a professor at a college in Connecticut who wrote an article in CounterPunch accusing me of association with Hindu extremism. Then, a few days ago, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, published an editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, to which this site linked, that echoed the CounterPunch accusations. These attacks sadden me, but they share one other thing in common: the accusations are false.
In reaction to these attacks, my closest friends -- and many strangers -- have rallied to my side. I am touched by this outpouring of support. And as painful as this episode has been for me personally, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue with the seriousness that it deserves, but the conversation should proceed on the basis of verified facts and reasoned argument, not innuendo and defamation.
Indian politics and history are contested and emotive, but also unfamiliar to most Americans. I understand why so many Indians and Indian-Americans feel strongly about religious extremism in India, because I share the same concerns.
I am an American, and my political engagements have always and only been American. I served as a U.S. Treasury Department official for seven years, and now work on global development policy at Google.org. And I am honored to serve on the Presidential Transition Team of President-elect Obama while on leave from Google.org.
I emigrated from India at the age of four, and grew up in Houston. Like many Americans, I remain proud of my heritage. But my engagement with India has been exclusively cultural and humanitarian. After the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001, I worked on behalf of a consortium of Indian-American organizations to raise funds for humanitarian relief. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A), an independent charity associated with the eponymous Indian political group, was among these organizations, and it was the only one to list my name on its website. I am not affiliated with any of these organizations, including the VHP-A, and have not worked with any of them since 2001.
The experience with the Gujarat earthquake did, however, teach me an important lesson. It pointed up a lack of dedicated infrastructure to help alleviate suffering in India, so together with my brother and sister, I founded Indicorps, an organization modeled on the U.S. Peace Corps that enables young Indian-Americans to spend a year in service to marginalized communities in India. The fellows come from every religious background, and have worked among every religious community in India. Indeed, some Indicorps fellows focus on inter-faith dialogue as part of their projects.
In 2002, Gujarat suffered one of the most profound tragedies in its long history, when extremist political leaders, including some associated with the VHP, incited riots that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Had I been able to foresee the role of the VHP in India in these heinous events, or anticipate that the VHP of America could possibly stand by silently in the face of its Indian counterpart's complicity in the events of Gujarat in 2002 -- thereby undermining the American group's cultural and humanitarian efforts with which I was involved -- I would not have associated with the VHP of America.
Sadly, CounterPunch and Senator Santorum have suggested that I somehow endorse that violence and the ongoing violence in Orissa. I do not - I deplore it. But more than that, I have worked against it, and will continue to do so. I have already denounced the groups at issue and am hopeful that we can begin to have an honest conversation about the ways immigrant and diaspora communities can engage constructively in social and humanitarian work abroad.
I was recently maligned by a professor at a college in Connecticut who wrote an article in CounterPunch accusing me of association with Hindu extremism. Then, a few days ago, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, published an editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, to which this site linked, that echoed the CounterPunch accusations. These attacks sadden me, but they share one other thing in common: the accusations are false.
In reaction to these attacks, my closest friends -- and many strangers -- have rallied to my side. I am touched by this outpouring of support. And as painful as this episode has been for me personally, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue with the seriousness that it deserves, but the conversation should proceed on the basis of verified facts and reasoned argument, not innuendo and defamation.
Indian politics and history are contested and emotive, but also unfamiliar to most Americans. I understand why so many Indians and Indian-Americans feel strongly about religious extremism in India, because I share the same concerns.
I am an American, and my political engagements have always and only been American. I served as a U.S. Treasury Department official for seven years, and now work on global development policy at Google.org. And I am honored to serve on the Presidential Transition Team of President-elect Obama while on leave from Google.org.
I emigrated from India at the age of four, and grew up in Houston. Like many Americans, I remain proud of my heritage. But my engagement with India has been exclusively cultural and humanitarian. After the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001, I worked on behalf of a consortium of Indian-American organizations to raise funds for humanitarian relief. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A), an independent charity associated with the eponymous Indian political group, was among these organizations, and it was the only one to list my name on its website. I am not affiliated with any of these organizations, including the VHP-A, and have not worked with any of them since 2001.
The experience with the Gujarat earthquake did, however, teach me an important lesson. It pointed up a lack of dedicated infrastructure to help alleviate suffering in India, so together with my brother and sister, I founded Indicorps, an organization modeled on the U.S. Peace Corps that enables young Indian-Americans to spend a year in service to marginalized communities in India. The fellows come from every religious background, and have worked among every religious community in India. Indeed, some Indicorps fellows focus on inter-faith dialogue as part of their projects.
In 2002, Gujarat suffered one of the most profound tragedies in its long history, when extremist political leaders, including some associated with the VHP, incited riots that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Had I been able to foresee the role of the VHP in India in these heinous events, or anticipate that the VHP of America could possibly stand by silently in the face of its Indian counterpart's complicity in the events of Gujarat in 2002 -- thereby undermining the American group's cultural and humanitarian efforts with which I was involved -- I would not have associated with the VHP of America.
Sadly, CounterPunch and Senator Santorum have suggested that I somehow endorse that violence and the ongoing violence in Orissa. I do not - I deplore it. But more than that, I have worked against it, and will continue to do so. I have already denounced the groups at issue and am hopeful that we can begin to have an honest conversation about the ways immigrant and diaspora communities can engage constructively in social and humanitarian work abroad.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Now What?
Update: Was money the motive for one of the attackers?
I write this knowing that some people may regard this as being too soon. The country is still mourning; the scenes of the bloodied railway station and of Sandra Samuel carrying 2 year old Moshe are still on constant replay – both on TV and in our own minds; funeral rites have not been completed. But I write this because I don’t want this to happen again.
A lot of blame has been thrown around – probably rightfully so – regarding who is to blame for the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Yes, people messed up. And yes, it is important for us to understand what went wrong so it does not happen again. But, let’s face it, pointing fingers doesn’t accomplish much. We need to shift from being on the defense to being on the offense.
So I suggest we start by asking ourselves the age-old question: what fuels people to commit acts of terrorism? Are some cultures more prone to commit terrorism? Well, although it does not seem like it, terrorism is not characteristic to specific groups. In recent history, terrorism has been committed by Islamic groups, Tamil Tigers, separatists in Northern Ireland and in the Basque region between Spain and France.. What about economic conditions? I was surprised to find studies which have shown that people who commit suicide are actually relatively better educated and economically well-off compared to their peers. Which leads me to what I propose is the constant - a belief that an injustice has been committed.
The terrorists’ message is that they do not like the way something is and the only (read: effective) way to change the status quo is to engage in violent activities, which will scare governments into giving into terrorist demands. And this is where India – and any country fighting terrorism – can begin to take back control. Send the message loud and clear that there are other ways to be heard. Reach out to religious and education leaders, promote inter-faith or inter-community dialogue. And these interactions should not be symbolic. Follow through on proposed actions that result from these talks.
Granted, this strategy of integration is not a complete fix. It is already clear that India needs to take a good luck at how it handles security. Also, governments’ powers are limited to their area, so we are at the mercy of other countries, to a certain extent. Furthermore, as long as the Osama bin Ladens exist (and they will always exist), there will always be people who are ready to exploit people's vulnerabilities, who are going to reach out to people who are already upset and are searching for a scapegoat and channel that negative energy into terrorism and the like. We cannot put ourselves in the position where they can point to us as a scapegoat, as the enemy. And this is where dialogue and education comes in. It is ridiculous to think that all demands will be satisfied. But is it ridiculous to think that a society makes the effort to be all-inclusive? Is it ridiculous to believe that everyone should expect that they will need to make compromises and to adapt once in a while?
I am certain that there will be people who are offended by what I have written. Terrorism is wrong. It’s horrific. But how are we going to stop it if we do not take the time to understand why it is happening in the first place? If anything, we need to remember all the lives that have been lost. The innocence that has been snatched from us. India’s foundation has been shaken. It’s time to rebuild. Let’s make the foundation stronger.
I write this knowing that some people may regard this as being too soon. The country is still mourning; the scenes of the bloodied railway station and of Sandra Samuel carrying 2 year old Moshe are still on constant replay – both on TV and in our own minds; funeral rites have not been completed. But I write this because I don’t want this to happen again.
A lot of blame has been thrown around – probably rightfully so – regarding who is to blame for the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Yes, people messed up. And yes, it is important for us to understand what went wrong so it does not happen again. But, let’s face it, pointing fingers doesn’t accomplish much. We need to shift from being on the defense to being on the offense.
So I suggest we start by asking ourselves the age-old question: what fuels people to commit acts of terrorism? Are some cultures more prone to commit terrorism? Well, although it does not seem like it, terrorism is not characteristic to specific groups. In recent history, terrorism has been committed by Islamic groups, Tamil Tigers, separatists in Northern Ireland and in the Basque region between Spain and France.. What about economic conditions? I was surprised to find studies which have shown that people who commit suicide are actually relatively better educated and economically well-off compared to their peers. Which leads me to what I propose is the constant - a belief that an injustice has been committed.
The terrorists’ message is that they do not like the way something is and the only (read: effective) way to change the status quo is to engage in violent activities, which will scare governments into giving into terrorist demands. And this is where India – and any country fighting terrorism – can begin to take back control. Send the message loud and clear that there are other ways to be heard. Reach out to religious and education leaders, promote inter-faith or inter-community dialogue. And these interactions should not be symbolic. Follow through on proposed actions that result from these talks.
Granted, this strategy of integration is not a complete fix. It is already clear that India needs to take a good luck at how it handles security. Also, governments’ powers are limited to their area, so we are at the mercy of other countries, to a certain extent. Furthermore, as long as the Osama bin Ladens exist (and they will always exist), there will always be people who are ready to exploit people's vulnerabilities, who are going to reach out to people who are already upset and are searching for a scapegoat and channel that negative energy into terrorism and the like. We cannot put ourselves in the position where they can point to us as a scapegoat, as the enemy. And this is where dialogue and education comes in. It is ridiculous to think that all demands will be satisfied. But is it ridiculous to think that a society makes the effort to be all-inclusive? Is it ridiculous to believe that everyone should expect that they will need to make compromises and to adapt once in a while?
I am certain that there will be people who are offended by what I have written. Terrorism is wrong. It’s horrific. But how are we going to stop it if we do not take the time to understand why it is happening in the first place? If anything, we need to remember all the lives that have been lost. The innocence that has been snatched from us. India’s foundation has been shaken. It’s time to rebuild. Let’s make the foundation stronger.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Mumbai Under Attack
Update: IBN is also reporting that there has been a seige at the Nariman House, where a Jewish Organization is housed.
While filing a story today at WHYY, I looked up at the TV and saw the Breaking News - "Mumbai Under Attack." Although the details are still coming in, there were machine-gun and grenade attacks at the iconic Taj Hotel, the Leopold Cafe - a popular tourist destination, the luxe Oberoi Hotel, the central Victoria Terminus station and a hospital for women & children. Death toll is said to be around 75 with the number of wounded around 240. Stories like this are devestating because of the loss of life and terrifying because of what the potential implications are.
How are Mumbaikars going to respond? Already the Shiv Sena had already been stirring things up in Mumbai and this incident will very likely get more people on their side. They'll use anything to poison people's minds. Mumbai needs to be prepared for Hindu-Muslim riots. I'm scared. Pakistani President Asif Zardari recently said that India should not feel threatened by Pakistan. What is India's relationship with Pakistan and the rest of the Muslim world going to look like after this? And you can't forget upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The "what ifs" are always the most upsetting. What if this could have been stopped? After the 2006 bombings on the local trains in Mumbai and after the bombings in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Assam (the list goes on...), there should have been more security. But when I was in Mumbai, people were not required to go through security when entering train stations (and this is true in other major train stations too). When I was at the Gateway to India (right in front of the Taj Hotel, which is in flames as we speak) or staying with a friend at the Oberoi, there was no security. Same with the general Colaba area, which is teeming with people - tourists, street vendors, rich and poor.
I recently saw Slum Dog Millionaire. In that film, Mumbai was like its own character, it took a life of its own. To see what is happening there right now is indescribably painful. You hate to hear about things like this happening anywhere, but it is so different when you have a relationship with a place.
I hope that this is settled really soon and I hope there are no serious consequences.
While filing a story today at WHYY, I looked up at the TV and saw the Breaking News - "Mumbai Under Attack." Although the details are still coming in, there were machine-gun and grenade attacks at the iconic Taj Hotel, the Leopold Cafe - a popular tourist destination, the luxe Oberoi Hotel, the central Victoria Terminus station and a hospital for women & children. Death toll is said to be around 75 with the number of wounded around 240. Stories like this are devestating because of the loss of life and terrifying because of what the potential implications are.
How are Mumbaikars going to respond? Already the Shiv Sena had already been stirring things up in Mumbai and this incident will very likely get more people on their side. They'll use anything to poison people's minds. Mumbai needs to be prepared for Hindu-Muslim riots. I'm scared. Pakistani President Asif Zardari recently said that India should not feel threatened by Pakistan. What is India's relationship with Pakistan and the rest of the Muslim world going to look like after this? And you can't forget upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The "what ifs" are always the most upsetting. What if this could have been stopped? After the 2006 bombings on the local trains in Mumbai and after the bombings in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Assam (the list goes on...), there should have been more security. But when I was in Mumbai, people were not required to go through security when entering train stations (and this is true in other major train stations too). When I was at the Gateway to India (right in front of the Taj Hotel, which is in flames as we speak) or staying with a friend at the Oberoi, there was no security. Same with the general Colaba area, which is teeming with people - tourists, street vendors, rich and poor.
I recently saw Slum Dog Millionaire. In that film, Mumbai was like its own character, it took a life of its own. To see what is happening there right now is indescribably painful. You hate to hear about things like this happening anywhere, but it is so different when you have a relationship with a place.
I hope that this is settled really soon and I hope there are no serious consequences.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Slum Dog Millionaire
Last night, I saw Danny Boyle's Slum Dog Millionaire. The movie has been getting a lot of good reviews, and I definitely understand why.
The premise is that Jamal, a boy from the slums, is one question from winning Rs. 20,000,000 (approximately $400,000 dollars in today's world of $1 is worth Rs. 50) on a "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" type show. The film tracks events in Jamal's life that have brought him to where he is now. Jamal's difficult life is sometimes hard to digest, but his goodness gave me reason to hope. It's a great feel-good (verging on sappy) story.
The great thing about the film was how engaging it was. Right from a chase scene that occurs five minutes into the film, I was on the edge of my seat. The film was very beautifully filmed. I loved the fast-paced transitions between the past and present. As usual, Irfan Khan was good, and Dev Patel was well cast as the lead character, Jamal. But I really thought it was the kids in the movie who stole the show.
The film is not flawless. There are holes in the story line and the light feel of the film sometimes felt contrived. But the film just carries you and it is really hard to find fault with anything about it.
So yeah, go see it.
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