Comments on: Indian-American Sonal Shah appointed Obama’s advisor

By: bhattathiri

bhattathiri — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:04:43 +0000

Yes she can change the economy and save US.The management philosophy emanating from the West is based on the lure of materialism and on a perennial thirst for profit, irrespective of the quality of the means adopted to achieve that goal. This phenomenon has its source in the abundant wealth of the West and so ‘management by materialism’ has caught the fancy of all the countries the world over, India being no exception to this trend. My country, India, has been in the forefront in importing these ideas mainly because of its centuries old indoctrination by colonial rulers, which has inculcated in us a feeling that anything Western is good and anything Indian, is inferior. Gita does not prohibit seeking money, power, comforts, health. It advocates active pursuit of one’s goals without getting attached to the process and the results.
The result is that, while huge funds have been invested in building temples of modem management education, no perceptible changes are visible in the improvement of the general quality of life – although the standards of living of a few has gone up. The same old struggles in almost all sectors of the economy, criminalization of institutions, social violence, exploitation and other vices are seen deep in the body politic.

By: Sonal Jani

Sonal Jani — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:40:38 +0000

Congratulations to Sonal Shah on her recent appointment! I am incredibly impressed for her and for what this means for Indian-Americans.

Congrats once again!!

Sonal Jani

By: Just a thought...

Just a thought... — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:26:40 +0000

Ironic how Vijay Prashad has a new book coming out soon. Did anyone ever think that this could just be a ploy for some free publicity?

Here’s a statement issued by Sonal Shah for all you haters:

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-44256.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=a5c3d2c2-d766-4db0-87bf-de4c552e02a2&&Headline=Sonal+Shah+denies+links+with+VHP%2c+RSS

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Obama-advisor-Sonal-Shah-denies-VHPRSS-link/384249/

By: Priyanka

Priyanka — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:11:35 +0000

I have known Sonal for 5 years now and am absolutely in awe of her.

She is a brilliant, stead-fast, highly principled and visionary individual. Her commitment to public service and progress is of the highest caliber. It is to no wonder that an extraordinary leader like Obama has asked for her support during this critical time of transition.

The Sonal I know would be the first to condemn politics of division and/or violence. She is an absolute inspiration to me and so many others. She has passion and focus and will continue to be a mark of change. Let’s support her, as a community, rather than debase her on false and ignorant accusations.

By: Saaheb

Saaheb — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:32:48 +0000

If Sonal has any links with the VHP and the RSS, that actually makes me even more proud. People need to educate themselves more about these two philanthropic and patriotic hindu organizations. These organizations have kept the traditions and the real spirit of India alive. Unfortunately some anti-India elements who take pride themselves calling ’secular’ are not able to stomach the truth.

By: Priya

Priya — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:07:10 +0000

I am very excited to hear about Sonal Shah’s appointment to Obama’s transition team. As a former Indicorps fellow I have experienced the inspiration that Sonal’s work and life philosophy can ignite in those seeking positive and honest progress.

By: LeRoy

LeRoy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:13:42 +0000

I have known Sonal for many years and have seen the outcome of her focus and passion. She has accomplished much, and will continue to do so despite these types of unscrupulous attacks.

By: Bhavana

Bhavana — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:12:42 +0000

I was an Indicorps fellow from August 2007 through August 2008. My project was in a small tribal community trying to improve primary education there through teacher training and resource building. The other fellows in my class worked on a range of issues from small business development to health and sanitation to governance and more. Our collective focus was always and unwaveringly on our relationship with India and how we could use our time, skills and passion to do something positive and meaningful for the country of our heritage. Never once did religious fundamentalism, let alone support of such a thing, ever enter the conversation. Indicorps is about inspiring young members of the diaspora to explore their relationship with India through grassroots service work. Fellows come from all religious backgrounds and the partner NGOs that we stay with work in diverse areas from tribal Maharashtra to slum communities in Gujarat to middle-class Bangalore – areas that include Indians from every religious and cultural background imaginable.

President-elect Obama could not have made a better decision than to pick Sonal Shah as a member of his transition team. If the organization that she co-founded is at all representative of her values, which I know it is, then people should be able to see past all of these unfounded accusations and realize that she is a person who possesses supreme intelligence, tolerance and desire to make the world a better place.

I am aware that some people may think I am looking at Indicorps through rose-colored glasses because I was a part of it. I cannot say anything to that other than I assure you that everything I say is based on my direct experience with the organization and its founders. I do not have anything to gain from making Indicorps seem better than it is; my only interest is in representing the truth. People who still have questions should do their research: check out Indicorps’ Wikipedia page as well as their website to see what the organization is really all about.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:39:49 +0000

swell… will the last American in govt pls turn out the lights.

By: lakshmi

lakshmi — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:43:51 +0000

Congratulations to Sonal Shah on her recent appointment! I am incredibly excited for her and for what this means for Indian-Americans. Sonal Shah has been an unbelievably positive role model for my personal growth as well as in my professional life ever since I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at Indicorps. To make baseless claims against her character, or against her service-oriented career, would be ignorant of the truth.