Letters from Readers
Focus on race contributes to hate crimes
I completely agree with all the causes discussed in the Editorial for the May issue (“Hate Crimes: Important to Address the Root Cause”). I believe one of the root causes could be continued discussion about race-based support or non-support all around us. Any race-based focus basically covers all people who were born in that race and with no choice of their own. If more focus was given to one particular race, it may lead to undermining the lives of other races which may give rise to these unfortunate hate crimes.
I strongly recommend removing race from discussions. Instead, we must form a group of people from all races. If a group of people depends on voting early or absentee, then all of us should support and help that group of people to get better options to vote independent of their race.
Ramgi
Alpharetta, GA
Sharing household responsibilities is a life skill
I enjoyed reading Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar’s article in the June issue (“Evolving Role of Father in the Family”). While attending Indian gatherings and festivals in Atlanta, I am left with a longing, admiration and relief to see young Indian fathers holding their baby while the mother performs on the stage. That feels like a glimpse of companionship where each other’s growth finds support—the core of the vows taken at the marriage ceremony.
I do want to add something to the view shared in the article: that the change—imperative and positive as it is—has to begin with the mother and not with the wife. Sharing household responsibilities should be viewed and imparted as life skills to counter the age-old conceptions of roles. Wives too need to loosen their grip and accept the different ways of doing things that each of us have. A husband’s work may not meet the high standard of a wife but tolerance, happy acceptance and due space should be given to them, be it a mundane task of how best to load a dish washer or any other for that matter.
Vimal Nikore
via email
The many delights of mangoes
I very much enjoyed reading Sara Siddiqui’s “A Taste of Mango Achaar” in the May issue. It brought back memories of the mango pickles and mango treats I have enjoyed over the years. In her enchanting memoir of her childhood in pre- and post-partition Delhi, aptly titled Climbing the Mango Trees, Madhur Jaffrey, the self-described tomboy in boy’s shorts, climbed mango trees, sliced green and raw mangoes, dipped them in a mixture of spices, and shared them with her siblings and cousins. Mango pickles are a beloved staple on Indian thalis.
When growing up in Nairobi, I loved the sweet and sour Chhundo and sweet, tangy Murabbo prepared by my wife, sisters-in-law, and my late mother. We bought big-sized raw Rajapuri and Totapuri mangoes, which were later peeled and grated, or diced into tiny bits, mixed with different spices and gently cooked on coal-fired sighris. Just inhaling the aroma was mouthwatering! And luscious Alphonso mango-ras with puris or rotlis was sheer joy. When I was a student in Mumbai, my friends and I enjoyed kulfis and mango lassis. How I wish I could go mango picking in Georgia! Forget it. I will settle for a mango smoothie for now.
Mahadev Desai
Atlanta, GA
Correction: In the June issue (“Remembering Satyajit Ray”), we incorrectly noted that Sharmila Tagore made her film debut in Ray’s Teen Kanya. That was actually Aparna Sen. Tagore made her debut in Ray’s Apur Sansar. — Editor
Interested in writing for Khabar?
Writers are invited to contact us at editor@khabar.com for submission guidelines. Please include links and/or attach copies of published articles, if any, as samples of your work. A review of our back issues online will give you a good idea of what we like to publish. Pitches or unsolicited articles that haven’t appeared elsewhere are welcome as well. If there is further interest, Khabar will respond with an offer or provide more information on our requirements.
What’s on YOUR mind?
We welcome original, unpublished letters from our readers. You could either respond to a specific article in Khabar or write about issues relevant to our community. Letters may be edited for length and other considerations. Longer submissions by readers may be considered for the “My Turn” column.
Email: letters@khabar.com • Fax: (770) 234-6115.
Mail: Khabar, Inc. 3635 Savannah Place Dr, Suite 400, Duluth, GA 30096.
Note: Views expressed in the Letters section do not necessarily represent those of the publication.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
