Letters from Readers
Be inspired to build bridges, not walls
The cover story in the August issue of Khabar (“American Dream No More” by Amritha Alladi Joseph) struck a deep chord. It reminded us how fragile our immigrant lives could be—how quickly peace can turn to uncertainty, and how dreams can be shaken in an instant, as they were for Jitendra Choudhury, a PhD student in Florida, and thousands of others in recent months.
As immigrants, we’ve weathered many storms. Resilience and sacrifice are part of our shared journey, and despite all adversities, we continue to find strength and show up in our communities for cultural and religious celebrations, especially at this time of the year. This year’s FOBANA (Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America) convention came to Atlanta during the last week of August to celebrate that spirit with around 10,000 people in attendance. I was fortunate to attend, thanks to the kind invitation of a generous sponsor. The ballroom venue for cultural programs couldn’t accommodate many, but that hardly mattered. The energy was unmistakable. Joyful attendees in vibrant, elegant attire filled the hallways, browsed in the shopping expo, gathered in the cafeteria, and reconnected with friends out on the patio. It seemed like community life at its best.
A moving moment came when two young women beautifully sang a Baul song by Lalan Fakir, a piece cherished by Bengalis for its message of spiritual unity. The lyrics remind us that despite our religious differences, we are all creations of the same divine source, sharing the same earth and water. A visual slide accompanying the performance read: “Hindu Lives Matter, Muslim Lives Matter, All Lives Matter.” In today’s climate, it was a soothing feeling of hope.
It did not last long, though. Immediately following the song, the convener came to the stage and gave a stern warning about the text ‘Hindu Lives Matter,’ emphasizing the apolitical nature of the event. He did not show any concern or say anything about ‘Muslim Lives Matter.’ While I understand the importance of maintaining neutrality, I also feel that messages of unity, especially those that affirm the value of all lives, should be promoted. Why can’t ‘Hindu Lives Matter’ coexist with ‘Muslim Lives Matter’? Indeed, all lives matter. The convention’s own magazine describes the event as a celebration of heritage, community, and generational connection. I wish it offered to foster spaces where our younger generations feel inspired to build bridges, not walls.
I left the event with mixed emotions. Grateful though I was for the community’s strength, I couldn’t help reflecting on how we can build it better for generations in the future, where empathy and inclusion are not just welcomed but celebrated.
Sam G.
Alabama
Engaging interview with Rohit Malhotra
Pooja Garg’s “Rooted in Values, Ready to Lead” (Khabar, October 2025) is a masterfully crafted account of
her engaging interview with Rohit Malhotra about his civic leadership grounded in empathy and action. Her
profile of Malhotra, candidate for president of Atlanta City Council, highlights a public servant whose values
reflect the city’s diverse heartbeat. As founder and executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI),
Malhotra has empowered Atlanta residents to shape their own futures. His commitment to building bridges
with the Black community, opposing ICE raids, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion is matched
by his academic credentials. An alumnus of Emory University, he went on to earn a master’s degree in public
policy from Harvard Kennedy School. Garg’s writing captures not just a candidate but a movement rooted in
justice, vision, and hope.
Mahadev Desai
by email
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.
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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.
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Note: Views expressed in the Letters section do not necessarily represent those of the publication.
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