Letters to the Editor
Rekindling Joyful Dharma
Raj Shah’s article beautifully highlights the importance of joyful engagement in Hindu parenting. His point about rasa—emotional connection—truly resonated with me. Inspired by it, my family celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with storytelling and art, making it fun and memorable for our kids. Dharma, when experienced with joy, becomes meaningful. Rather than enforcing rituals, we must let children feel their heritage. Thank you for this timely reminder that parenting is not just about tradition, but about creating lifelong emotional bonds with our culture.
Warm regards,
Suman Iyer
Plano, Texas
Balancing Two Worlds
Raj Shah’s piece spoke directly to our daily experience—raising children who straddle two cultures. My son loves tabla and Marvel heroes, and we try to honor both identities. The metaphor of giving “two wings” was perfect. Parenting in America isn’t about choosing one culture over another—it’s about grounding kids in dharma while giving them the confidence to soar. This article is a guidepost for Hindu families navigating modern life. Thank you for this thoughtful and inspiring message.
Sincerely,
Aniket Patel
Edison, New Jersey
Making Children Stakeholders
Raj Shah’s article deeply moved me. The idea of letting children take ownership of their culture is powerful. Last Navratri, my daughter choreographed her own Garba and shared its meaning with friends—it was magical. She felt proud, not pressured. Hindu parenting must be joyful, not dutiful. Mr. Shah beautifully reminds us that when children love their heritage, they grow into confident cultural ambassadors. Thank you for this inspiring vision of parenting with purpose.
Sincerely,
Meera Rangan Fremont, California
Sister Shivani ji’s message—raising children to be more, not having more—truly resonates. In our home, we now focus on building inner strength over luxury. Our kids help with chores, limit screen time, and join us in daily meditation. Like the Gurukul model, this fosters resilience and humility. In a world obsessed with comfort, we must raise grounded, adaptable children with spiritual depth. Thank you for sharing such timely wisdom—it’s a wake-up call for modern Hindu parenting.
Sincerely,
Kavita Deshpande Cary, North Carolina
Empowering First-Gen Students
As a first-generation college student, I found Dr. Walker’s article incredibly insightful. The emphasis on university career centers is crucial—many of us don’t know where to begin, and these centers offer much-needed guidance. I recently secured a summer internship in campus IT services using their help. Building a targeted resume and practicing mock interviews gave me a real confidence boost. This article should be shared across freshman orientation programs—it’s a great roadmap for success.
Sincerely,
Rohan Mehta
Cupertino, California
A Parent’s Perspective
As a mother of a college sophomore, I appreciated Dr. Walker’s thoughtful advice. In our Indian community, internships sometimes take a backseat to academics, but real-world experience is essential. My daughter recently accepted a remote marketing internship thanks to networking at her university. This article offers practical, step-by-step strategies every student should follow. I especially valued the reminder to leverage informal networks—sometimes uncles, aunts, or temple friends are the best sources for hidden opportunities.
Warm regards,
Sunita Krishnan
Alpharetta, Georgia
A Timeless Reminder
Dr. Agarwal’s article is a beautiful reminder that food is sacred medicine. As someone raised on Ayurvedic home cooking, I’ve rediscovered the value of warm ghee, seasonal veggies, and mindful meals. Her explanation of Agni and Upavasa brought clarity to practices I grew up with but never fully understood. In a world chasing fad diets, Ayurveda offers a sustainable, soulful path. Thank you for reminding us that healing begins in the kitchen.
Warm regards,
Neha Kulkarni
Bellevue, Washington
Ayurveda in Modern Life
Dr. Agarwal’s article powerfully bridges ancient wisdom and modern wellness. Dr. Agarwal’s insights on mindful eating and seasonal living resonate deeply in our tech-driven, fast-food culture. I’ve started practicing Shatapavali after meals and introduced Kitchari fasting into my routine—it’s transformative. Ayurveda’s personalized, dosha-based approach is a treasure we must preserve and pass on. “Eat simply, eat mindfully”—this should be our family mantra.
Sincerely,
Pradeep Nair
Naperville, Illinois
