David Nabarro

I am awestruck by how similar my view of the world is with that of David Nabarro, a dear friend and colleague who passed away on July 25. This isn’t the first of my friends to die at a younger age than me, but he is the first of my friends who was also a colleague. I suppose I should describe him as a boss, since he was in charge of the organisation for which I worked to advance this particular view of the world. True, in this organisation, he advocated it for a particular cause, the cause of ending child hunger and starvation. But the many people who have written about him now describe this same world view in this work throughout his life, the more I realise that it was this view of the world that drove him. As a teacher, as a leader of efforts to end various diseases, as a key advocate on health issues in the UN, as the head of his own organisation to train others, he was always advocating for the involvement of everyone.

I now realise that he pursued this cause in a way that had far more impact on the world than my more general advocacy of the same philosophy. It was an honour to join with him in the specific approach of child hunger. And I see that he did move to broaden his dedication to the cause by connecting world hunger with climate change.  Perhaps it is the more effective way to advocate an inclusive strategy. It is remarkable that someone trained as a physician would be so knowledgeable about the intricacies of human interactions. What a delight it was to know him and to appreciate his leadership in bringing people together, not only between different parts of the world but also in the different ways that people can help each other by working together.

Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture

The phenomenal upsurge of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in July and August is inspirational for me to witness – and support. She brings a multi-ethnic background to her Presidential candidacy that is unique – and illustrative of how significantly the American population has become so diverse.  While it is obvious that an over-emphasis on ethnic identities could also operate negatively, I am personally impressed with how immigration patterns of the past fifty years have become so well integrated into the American politic.  And for me, it is how Indian Americans, in particular, have emerged as a significant presence in the American political world that has caught my eye.

Continue reading “Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture”

Tim Walz Adds to the American Political Mosaic

How fascinating and quickly inspirational has the news been that the Democratic candidate for President in 2024, Kamala Harris, has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. I had just written a commentary on “Kamala Harris for an Inclusive Presidency” to share my enthusiasm about her dual identity as an Indian-American and as an African-American – and my own personal identification with her capacity to translate that into an inclusive Presidency. And here she comes with a resoundingly personalized addition to my appreciation for her powerful image of inclusiveness! Continue reading “Tim Walz Adds to the American Political Mosaic”

Personal Reflections on US Immigration

 

In my opinion, the most striking and overlooked phenomenon in the United States is the dramatic demographic shift in the American population since 1965.  The year 1965 may stand out in current American history books for the march on Selma, the Voting Rights Act and early protests against the US escalation in Vietnam. In retrospect, however, I believe that the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 will eventually be recognized in the history books, if it hasn’t already, as a far more transformative event than any of the others from that time period. Continue reading “Personal Reflections on US Immigration”

Kamala Harris for an inclusive Presidency!

About a week ago I posted a personal commentary about Indian Americans in America, one of whom happens to be none other than Vice President Kamala Harris . Oddly, I had not anticipated that she would so suddenly be transformed from her supporting role in President Biden’s re-election campaign to become the  Democratic candidate for President of the United States herself!  Here are some follow-up reflections on what this means to me in my personal attachment to the Indian-American community in the US. And I look forward to being actively involved in supporting her candidacy. Continue reading “Kamala Harris for an inclusive Presidency!”

Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture

The phenomenal upsurge of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in July and August is inspirational for me to witness – and support. She brings a multi-ethnic background to her Presidential candidacy that is unique – and illustrative of how significantly the American population has become so diverse.  While it is obvious that an over-emphasis on ethnic identities could also operate negatively, I am personally impressed with how immigration patterns of the past fifty years have become so well integrated into the American politic.  And for me, it is how Indian Americans, in particular, have emerged as a significant presence in the American political world that has caught my eye.

Continue reading “Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture”

Comparing US and EU Recent Migration Trends

The United States has the largest foreign-born population of any country in the world (roughly 50 million). This is not the highest percentage of the population – many smaller countries have that standing (including Switzerland – but also Germany and Austria).  With a long (albeit erratic) history of previous immigration flows, both voluntary and forced, the US is probably the most diverse country in the world.  But the EU has also experienced comparably significant increases in migration and diversification. Without dwelling on the past, however, my commentary compares the US with the EU and explores the similarities and differences in the challenges they are facing and how they are being addressed. Continue reading “Comparing US and EU Recent Migration Trends”

International Women’s Day 2024: France the Pioneer

With cold and stormy weather in southern France keeping me at home on International Women’s Day, I watched wistfully as the sunshine shone on the large crowds gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice at the Place Vendôme in Paris. We were witnessing the formalities of enshrining a woman’s right to an abortion as an amendment to the French Constitution. And I didn’t have to be there in person to join the celebration.  France is definitely the pioneer in what President Emmanuel Macron described as the “beginning of a struggle” to establish the right to an abortion as a universal right everywhere. Continue reading “International Women’s Day 2024: France the Pioneer”

European Migration Issues: An Introductory Commentary

Migration has become a  prominent political issue in both the US and Europe. One could argue that it has always been a visibly controversial and divisive issue – and certainly so in the past ten or fifteen years.  What is different this year, however, is how rapidly it has risen to the top of the political agenda both in the US and Europe. The heating up of the migration debate may be attributable to its easy manipulation by populists in a significant year for elections in both the US and Europe. But it is clear that the record numbers of people seeking to migrate have been aggravated by the unusual ways that the legal framework for what one might call “irregular” or “unauthorized” migration have come to dominate the debate. The following commentary assesses the European and French context of the migration debate, with some preliminary comparisons with the US context. A separate commentary is planned to reflect further on recent developments in the US. Continue reading “European Migration Issues: An Introductory Commentary”

Slim Democratic Majorities in Virginia

The outcome of the state legislative elections in Virginia, held on Tuesday, 6 November 2023, produced narrow majorities for the Democrats in both houses of the General Assembly. In contrast to the alarming polarization and the populist takeover of one of the major political parties at the national level, this is an encouraging example of democracy in action. I include this chronicling of Virginia’s politics from afar in this series on “Democracy under Threat” with a bit of optimism while also recognizing the worrisome undercurrents that are evident even in Virginia. Continue reading “Slim Democratic Majorities in Virginia”