Letters from Readers
Balanced editorial and good cover story
The editorial in the June 2025 issue of Khabar (“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”) was a mature and balanced piece, pointing to the hypocrisy and hyper-nationalism surrounding the event and delineating the far-reaching, big-picture consequences of such “juvenile machismo.” It raised some thoughtprovoking
questions.
Murzban Shroff
by email
Your editorial on the horrors of nuclear war was timeless. Although written in the context of the India- Pakistan conflict, it soon became relevant to the emerging war between Israel and Iran. The portrayal of the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe is not only graphic but true beyond words.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki serve as painful reminders that all human tragedies will repeat unless we heed their lessons with caution. When Tulsi Gabbard showed a video of this nuclear catastrophe in the White House, our President was so infuriated that he considered removing her from office. As we aptly say in Sanskrit, “Vinashkale Vipareeta Buddhih” (“We lose our wisdom when we are about to be doomed”).
The June cover story (“Sant Kabir, The Antidote for Our Times”) could not have been better timed. The author, Nikhil Misra-Bhambri, has provided a brilliant summary of this great man, whose teachings transcend time. It is particularly noteworthy how the complete tapestry of such a great man has been so dexterously summed up in a few pages. Similarly, Pooja Garg has so poignantly threaded Kabir’s quotes into thoughtprovoking commentary. I should add, parenthetically, that neither of the two articles mentioned that June 11 was Kabir Jayanti Day.
Dr. Bhagirath Majmudar
by email
The June cover story struck the perfect note in our present world brimming with political corruption, poverty, and war refugees. It is interesting to know that thousands of folks in India and across the world follow the teachings of Kabir, which are all about love for all, equality, devotion, and inner realization. During these uncertain times, Kabir’s teachings are priceless as a Kohinoor diamond for humanity. When I read the sentence, “Kabir’s philosophy is centered on the discovery of Truth within oneself,” it deeply resonated with my inner journey. In my spiritual journey, I have realized that leading a simple life filled with humility, kindness, and righteousness has enabled me to discover the eternal truth.
In the article, the author mentions Kabir’s words, “Hari is in the East, Allah is in the West. Look within your heart, for there you will find both Karim and Ram.” I strongly feel there is so much hatred and conflict in this world due to different paths and customs followed by religious folks. When the mind is purified by eliminating anger, greed, unwanted desires, lust, ego, and jealousy, Kabir’s teachings resonate easily. It was interesting to learn that Kabir’s teachings are greatly appreciated by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Sufis, and also by atheists. Since Kabir’s teachings are based on love for all, selfless service, equality, compassion, empathy, eternal truth, and humanity, Kabir’s words resonate with everyone inclined towards a peaceful and loving earth!
Reading the profound article made me realize that Kabir’s Dohas are similar to Vachanas written by Basavanna, a social reformer, poet, and philosopher who rejected social discrimination and rituals in the eleventh century in Karnataka. I vividly remember reading profound Vachanas in my school text. Today, thousands of students and adults read and listen to enlightening Vachanas, which teach that all human beings are equal, and noble virtues bring eternal happiness and peace. Vachanas, just like Kabir’s Dohas, help human beings to purify their minds by eliminating ego, greed, anger, unwanted desires, and jealousy.
My husband also read the amazing article, and he said that Kabir’s Dohas reminded him of Tirukural, composed by Thiruvalluvar, a poet and philosopher in the eighth or ninth century. Today, Tirukural is a “life manual” to thousands of folks in Tamil Nadu and across the world to lead a meaningful life filled with integrity, kindness, and humility.
Kumudha Venkatesan
by email
With the rise of global tensions, such as the terror attack in Kashmir, which has led to fear of an Indo- Pak nuclear war, the conflicts in Israel and Palestine, and political divisions in the U.S., there has been a corresponding rise in extremist ideology and rhetoric that is affecting us all. From the killing of a young Jewish couple in D.C. to Hasan Piker’s support of terrorism and the destruction of Tesla vehicles worldwide, the poison of extremism is everywhere right now.
Extremism and terrorism must be fully discouraged as they solve nothing and only lead to more fear and division. During these times, we must always remember the principle of ahimsa (nonviolence). Revenge is counterproductive as it never solves the root conflict at hand. As noted in the editorial in the June issue, it is not right to encourage or support nuclear threats, such as with the situation in India and Pakistan. A nuclear war between these countries will only lead to collateral damage and suffering for a great number of innocent civilians. No matter how extreme a conflict gets, nuclear wars only result in all sides losing. As Gandhi said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
Shrey Lal
Stockbridge, GA
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