April - 2000 - issue > Inbox

AMAZING SUCCESS
I was born in England, moved here in 1981 and I have seen the industry grow from nothing to several billion dollars in the blink of an eye. It is amazing how US Indians have contributed to the creation of a whole new industry. Don't get me wrong. There are many other different cultures that are a part of the industry but the fact that Indians are getting more and more recognized for their efforts simply brings a lump in my throat.

Anil Kumar, Genesys Group, Dallas

PROUD HERITAGE

I admire Sam Pitroda's observations ("Comfort and Strength in Chaos," siliconindia, February) on our Indian culture and heritage and for putting these in the current context. We tend to take lot of our strengths for granted and generally think (as a result of the British rule for over a century) that the Western way of life is superior to ours. It is time to take pride in our heritage.

If any one questions the greatness of our heritage, I would answer it in the form of the following question:

How do young Indians, growing up in poverty, not exposed to any of the high-tech gadgets, come to this country, study in the finest universities in the world, and make notable contributions to the high-tech industry?

The answer to this question lies in the fact that the disadvantages and deficiencies that comes with our poverty teach us lessons that we do not normally learn in good times. Besides, there are some virtues in our cultural upbringing. For example, respect toward elders, education, not to indulge in overly materialistic life and so on. These qualities become profoundly important only when contrasted with the Western way of life.

H.B. Rajendra

COLLECTIVE ACTION

From the accounts of the victims of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) raids in San Antonio, Texas, the entire episode was motivated by race and an apparent hatred of Indians on the part of INS officials.

We surely need to address this issue and take action to ensure that this does not become commonplace. We also need to collectively bring to the light of the media and the politicians that such gross misuse of power by the INS would not be tolerated.

We cannot just sit and cheer the successful Indians presented in your magazine while ignoring the gross injustice meted to others for no fault of theirs. Indians, time and again, have failed to organize and collectively seek justice. Collectively, Indians in US have billions of dollars. Can't we use a very small fraction of it to file a lawsuit against the INS and bring to the notice of the media and the politicians the gross misuse of human rights abuse?

This will keep racially motivated people in the INS in check and also ensure that they are properly oriented to deal with educated people. This may also help bring about effective legislation to restrict the INS' powers to throw innocent immigrants in jail when it is their employers who may deserve punishment.

Pradeep Gajjar

REBUILDING INDIA

I read with interest your editorial "So, it is not About Love Either." One of the things your journal can help with is in the rebuilding of India's infrastructure. This is a great opportunity for the high-tech industry to leave their footprints in Indian history, by helping the country join the ranks of developed nations. Will the IT professionals take on such a tangible goal?

Rugmini Shah

e-mail newsletter - I

I find your daily e-mail newsletter very useful and a quick way to keep in touch with news from India. Unlike other news services, your page is very well laid out and easy to use. One suggestion, check your spellings. I have noticed several spelling mistakes. They mar an otherwise excellent page.

A.K.A.

II

siliconindia magazine is one of the very few I read cover to cover. Every page is informative and I am proud we Indians have put together a very informative journal.

But after seeing the e-mail newsletters, I have a few concerns. The newsletter is covering issues such as cricket and politics. Let siliconindia magazine be only "techno and business" oriented. Let us not mix all these. By doing, the focus will be blurred. I want to get email from siliconindia about techno/business issues only.

Biswajit Das