DISCUSSING PUBLIC POLICY, POLITICS, CREATIVE WRITING AND LITERATURE
The world throws at us, every day, a multitude of reasons to make us excited, angry, worried, or sad. There are reasons to be happy as well. The most important thing to remember is that we must try to remain calm, regardless of what challenges and opportunities we encounter. The calmness of mind is what…
One of the most important things in life is to appreciate all that God has granted us. We must be grateful. In the haste and hurry of life, it is easy to forget the blessings that fill our lives. The days present many needs and wants, and people work towards pursuing those desires and fulfilling…
As I woke up this morning, before sunrise, I decided to write down the first thing that came to mind. I thought about time–the passage of time. During an awards ceremony, several years ago. I stood on stage and said that twenty-four hours in a day are not enough for me to do everything that…
Small things often help us understand big things. Let me explain. Yesterday, I had dinner outside. It was fish fry Friday. Before departing the restaurant, I ordered two pieces of fried cod to be put in a box for me to take home. In spite of having had a nice dinner at the restaurant, I…
Writing a letter to 100-year-old self is one of the most difficult tasks that one could embark on. For me, it is quite difficult because I am a man in my thirties. As much mature and wise I may consider myself to be, I perhaps do not have the maturity of a 100-year-old. Being old,…
Voice is powerful. But how do we define voice? Is voice the sound that is produced in our larynx–the sound that comes out of our mouth? Or is it an opinion that one expresses–whether in the form of sound or as words on paper? There are many ways of looking at the meaning of “voice.”…
Heraclitus, the ancient philosopher, said that no man can step into the same river twice, because everything is in a state of flux. With each passing moment, things change, including the river. Each day, we are subject to transformation. Each season, we change. No two summers are the same. No two winters are the same….
The world, with all the elements in it, can distract us from our path. As we work our way towards our destination, diversions can push us in other directions. A person can defeat distractions if there is strong commitment to fulfill a purpose in life. When working on an important project, for work or school,…
I guess most people do not want to be lonely. But there are others who seek moments, days, weeks, or even longer periods of solitude. We all have different preferences. But can we truly be lonely? Our inclinations vary, depending on our personalities and experiences. The desire to be around people or to be lonely…
I started creating my own library when I was a young boy. From British literature to Bengali mystery books, from Tintin comic books to encyclopedias and books on history and geography, I enjoyed a wide variety of reading materials. I read the works of Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, Charles Dickens, John Keats, Lord Tennyson, and…
Climate activists, to combat global warming, want to reduce the consumption of meat, including beef. The efforts to push people to give up meats goes against the religious freedom of Muslims. Many climate activists are pushing for people to give up real meat and start consuming “plant-based meats“, to fight global warming. “Plant-based meats” are…
The freedom of religion is included in the Bill of Rights, and people in America can practice any religion or not practice a religion. The freedom of religion is what helps America become more diverse. Conflicts, due to religious differences, occur in many parts of the world. In various places around the globe, there are…
California has once again made its way to newspaper headlines for another example of government overreach. This time, the state is banning singing and chanting in houses of worship, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Almost all religions have some form of singing or chanting involved in faith-based rituals or prayers. Chanting and singing are…