आतंरिक कलह के शिकार अमेरिका में बसे भारतीय

समाचार पत्रिका 'शुक्रवार' सितम्बर ९ के अंक में प्रकाशित: अमेरिका की डायरी
भारतीय व्यापारिओं को घाटे का सौदा करना नहीं आता. जब अमेरिका की अर्थव्यवस्था 'आमदनी अठन्नी और खर्चा रुपैया' के आतंरिक विरोधाभाष का शिकार है, भारतीय मूल के व्यापारिओं ने मंदी के इस बुरे वक्त में भी मुनाफा कमा कर दिखा दिया. चाहे जितनी मंदी हो, अमेरिकी लोगों को सुबह की काफी के लिए ७-११ या डंकिन डोनाट्स जाना पड़ेगा. गाडी में तेल, जिसे यहाँ गैस कहते हैं, भरने के लिए एक्सन के पम्प पर जाना पड़ेगा और हाईवे पर शाम हो गयी तो मोटेल में रात बितानी ही पड़ेगी. इन सभी धंधों का मालिक ज्यादातर भारतीय हैं.

भारतीय समाज के अधिकांश सदस्य उच्च शिक्षा प्राप्त हैं. वे विभिन्न व्यवसायों में नाम, धन, और यश प्राप्त कर चुके हैं. अमेरिकी समाज हमारी लगन और प्रतिभा का कायल है. हमारे इंजीनियर इसलिए सफल हैं कि वे लम्बे समय तक मेहनत करने से कतराते नहीं. हमारे सॉफ्टवेर डेवेलेपरों पर भी यही बात लागू होती है. हमारे बच्चे इसलिए मेधावी हैं कि वे अपने परिवार के संस्कार से मजबूती से जुड़े हैं और अबतक अमेरिकी समाज की बुरी आदतों से बचे हुए हैं. और यह सभी बातें अमेरिका में बसे भारतीयों को एक मानक समुदाय का दर्जा देती हैं.

लेकिन दुर्भाग्य की बात यह है कि जब भी अपने हितों की रक्षा के लिए एक जूट होने की बात आती है, हम हिन्दुस्तानी एकता का परिचय देने से पिछड़ जाते हैं. पिछले दो वर्षों में न्यू जर्सी में कुछ जाने माने भारतीयों की निर्मम हत्या हुई. ब्रिजवाटर शहर के डॉ सिन्हा और हेमिल्टन के समृद्ध व्यापारी अर्जुन द्यापा की असामाजिक तत्वों द्वारा हत्या कर दिए जाने के बाद पुलिस प्रशासन पर दबाव डालने के लिए सशक्त वातावरण नहीं बन पाया. इसका कारण सिर्फ यह था कि आजीविका और व्यापार में लीन भारतीय बंधू इन घटनाओं को अपना न समझ सके. ऐसे अनेक मामले पैदा होते हैं और मिट जाते हैं. भारतीय समाज के प्रति होने वाली दुखद घटनायें या भेदभाव के मामले उतनी गंभीरता से नहीं लिए जाते जितने कि अन्य समुदायों से जुड़े मामले.

भारत की तरह अमेरिका में भी भारतीय लोगों के बीच एकता की भावना ढूंढे नहीं मिलेगी. हम सब तिरंगा फहराने और ‘याद करो क़ुरबानी’ गीत गाने के लिए एकत्र तो होते हैं, लेकिंन हम अपनी पहचान बनाते हैं अपने मूल प्रदेश यहाँ तक कि जातियों के नाम पर. अमेरिका में ब्रह्मण, रेड्डी, जाट, पटेल, मलयाली, तेलुगु आदि के नाम पर संगठनों की कोई कमी नहीं, मगर भारतीयता के नाम पर संस्थाओं का नितांत आभाव है. अगस्त का महीना भारत की आजादी की वर्षगांठ मनाने का समय होता है. लेकिन इस वर्ष होने वाले कार्यक्रम विवादों के घेरे में कैद हो गए. न्यू जर्सी के एडिसन और इसलिन शहरों के भारतीय व्यापारियों ने जुलूस निकालने के लिए दोनों शहरों की गलियों के बंटवारे तक कर डाले. स्वतंत्रता की सालगिरह मनाने वाले दो गुटों में बाँट गए. मामला अदालत में गया. यहाँ तक की एडिसन की मेयर ७० वर्षिया बुज़ुर्ग महिला टोनी रिसिग्लियानो ने दोनों गुटों में समझौता करने की कोशिश की. वे भी असफल रहीं. अदालती कार्यवाही से थक कर दोनों गुटों ने दो अलग अलग जुलूस निकाले. लोगों का उत्साह दोनों गुटों के परस्पर महत्वाकांक्षाओं की भेंट चढ़ गया.

समाज में व्यापारी वर्ग, विशेषतः गुजराती मूल के व्यापारियों, का बोल बाला है. इसमें दो राय नहीं कि प्रमुख व्यापारी राजनितिक मसलों में भी महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाने लगे हैं. प्रदेश के एकमात्र भारतीय मूल के विधायक और डेमोक्रेट उमीदवार उपेन्द्र चिवुकुला पिछले पांच चुनावों में विजयी होते आये हैं. निर्विवाद रूप से चिवुकुला को भारतीय समाज के सभी वर्गों, धर्मों, और राजनीतिक विचारों वाले मतदाताओं का समर्थन प्राप्त है. जब उन्हें भारतीयों द्वारा दो स्वतंत्रता दिवस परेड मनाने के बारे में पता चला तो चिवुकुला व्याकुल हो गए और सभी पक्षों से एकता की अपील की.

न्यू जर्सी अमेरिका का वह प्रदेश है जहाँ विगत दस वर्षों में भारतीय मूल के लोगों की संख्या में लगभग दुगनी वृद्धि हुई है. इस प्रदेश में रह कर न्यू यॉर्क शहर में नौकरी करना आसान हो जाता है. न्यू जर्सी के एडिसन शहर की तीस प्रतिशत आबादी भारतीय मूल के लोगों की है. दस साल पहले शहर की मुख्य सड़क ओक ट्री रोड पर गिनी चुनी दूकानों के अलावा सन्नाटा छाया रहता था. यही हाल पड़ोस के वुडब्रिज शहर का भी था. लेकिन आज इस सड़क का नज़ारा कुछ और ही है. घरेलू ज़रुरत के सभी सामान यहाँ की दूकानों पर मिल जाते हैं. इस इलाके की शोहरत इतनी बढ़ गयी है कि 'लिटिल इंडिया' के नाम से जाने जाने वाली इस बस्ती में न्यू यॉर्क से लेकर वर्जीनिया तक के लोग खरीदारी करने आते हैं. भारतीय भोजन का आनंद लेना हो या शादी के कपड़े खरीदने हों, ओक ट्री रोड से बेहतर जगह पूर्वी अमेरिका में शायद ही कोई और हो!

इसलिन बाज़ार में सन नब्बे के दशक में भारतीय दूकानदारों की बड़ी मुसीबत थी. बदमाशों के गैंग अक्सर दूकानों के शीशे तोड़ देते थे. लोग सड़क पर टहलने में संकोच करते थे. दूकानों के भाव बढ़ते नहीं थे. लेकिन आज नज़ारा कुछ और ही है. रियल स्टेट मार्केट इस कदर महंगा हो गया है कि इसलिन में दूकान किराये पर लेना न्यू यॉर्क शहर में जगह खरीदने जैसा है. नगर का आर्थिक विकास तेज़ी से हुआ है. यह अपने आप में एक ऐसी खबर है जो भारतीयों के उद्यमी होने का सच्चा सबूत पेश करती है. खुद वुडब्रिज के मेयर जॉन मककार्मिक ने कुछ दिन पहले कहा था कि आज उनके शहर का आर्थिक विकास इसलिन के भारतीय दूकानों के कारण संभव हुआ है. अपने शहर में भारतीयों की प्रगति को देखते हुए मेयर ने इसलिन की लिटल इंडिया बस्ती का नाम 'इंडिया स्क्वायेर’ रख दिया.

यहाँ के भारतीयों को इस बात पर गर्व करना चाहिए कि अमेरिकी समाज में उन्हें इज्ज़त के साथ देखा जाता है. कैलिफोर्निया, न्यू योर्क और टेक्सास के साथ न्यू जर्सी में भारतीयों की संख्या सर्वाधिक है. चीनी और फिलिप्पिनो समुदाय के बाद हम तीसरे बड़े समुदाय हैं. हमारी आमदनी किसी भी दूसरे समुदाय से ज्यादा है. इन सबके बावजूद भारतीयों को सरकारी विभागों में उचित प्रतिनिधित्व प्राप्त नहीं. वह तब तक नहीं मिल सकता जब तक कि भारतीय मूल के लोग अपनी राष्ट्रीय एकता का परिचय न दे. अपनी पहचान प्रदेश और क्षेत्रीयता के बजाय अपने देश से जोड़ें. सामाजिक एकता के आभाव में भारतीय समुदाय को मिला ‘आदर्श अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय’ का ख़िताब किसी काम का नहीं.

युवा हिंदी संस्थान वार्षिक दिन समारोह

YHS Annual Day Celebration on Sept 29, 2010:

Edison, New Jersey: Yuva Hindi Sansthan, a non-profit organization devoted to promotion of Hindi and Indian culture celebrated its Annual Day on September 29th. A lively function was held at Mandap Hall, Royal Albert Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837 at 6.00 PM, Yuva Hindi Sansthan's President Ashok Ojha welcomed the guests that included a representative of the Consul-General of India in New York, NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula and dozens of prominent Indian-American professionals and business owners. A presentation on status of Hindi in USA was made by YHS Chairman Dr. Surendra Gambhir that was well appreciated. A number of speakers extended their support to the efforts of YHS in promoting Hindi among the younger generation of Indian Americans.
The program also featured a musical performance by Sangeet Sarita, a cultural organization that was followed by Indian dinner.

Community Appreciation Day

December 15, 2010

COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY CELEBRATED AT RAAGINI RESTAURANT

(India Post)

Mountainside, NJ – DECEMBER 15:

A wide spectrum of professionals and academicians gathered at Raagini restaurant on December 15, 2010 to celebrate the unity and diversity of the Indian American community in New Jersey. The fun filled event was organized by Yuva Hindi Sansthan, a New Jersey based educational and cultural organization dedicated to promote Hindi and Indian culture and hosted by Raagini restaurant, a premier location known for exquisite Indian cuisine in central New Jersey. Sangeet Sarita, a musical group dedicated to entertain and promote Hindi songs and Indian music provided non-stop entertainment with performance of semi classical and folk songs of India.

“It is a great occasion to celebrate our rich culture”, said Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, who attended the function along with his Cuban-born wife Daisy. “We should feel proud of our heritage that is well respected all over the world. It is a matter of great satisfaction for us that the national language of India, Hindi is widely taught in USA”, he told the gathering. Chivukula complimented the dedication of Yuva Hindi Sansthan for diligently promoting Hindi in schools and universities around the country. YHS was inaugurated in the presence of Chivukula in Edison, NJ in September 2009. He said that the organization made significant progress in a short span of one year.

Acclaiming the dedication of Indian Americans educational and cultural experts, Dr. Harmesh Mittal, owner of Raagini said that the more and younger Indian Americans opted to learn Hindi thanks to the efforts of community organizers and educationists who value teaching of Hindi as a second language in American schools. Mittal expressed his full support to the cause of promoting Hindi and Indian culture.

Mittal pointed out that serving authentic cuisine was an important aspect of presenting our culture. “Indian food offers a variety of spices for better health and taste”, he said. “Food served at Raagini is low in fat content and is prepared in the traditional Tandoor, a clay oven that helps capture the flavors of the dish while offering one of the healthiest means of cooking through 400-700 degree radiant heat over oak charcoal that allows fat to drip during cooking”, said Dr. Mittal.

Ashok Ojha, president of Yuva Hindi Sansthan, reinforced YHS mission to create a favorable atmosphere for teaching Hindi in educational institutions in USA. He said that his organization was planning to expand its operation in other parts of the country in 2011. Extending his gratitude to the Indian American community at large for supporting the efforts to promote Hindi and Indian culture, Ojha read a message from YHS chairman Dr. Surendra Gambhir who called for jointly working for promoting and protecting Hindi and our culture.

युवा हिंदी संस्थान

Heritage Voices:STARTALK Yuvā Summer Hindi Camp 2010

Ashok Ojha, a New Jersey-based author, journalist, and teacher, regularly contributes to a number of publications in Hindi and English. He writes on international affairs, culture, tourism and social issues. He directed the STARTALK Summer Hindi Program 2010 at Kean University, New Jersey, and serves as president of Yuvā Hindī Sansthān, a non-profit group dedicated to teaching and promotion of Hindi as a world language.

The Program

In the summer of 2009, a committed group of Hindi teachers, journalists, and scholars, while attending a Hindi teaching workshop in the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, decided to set up a non-profit organization to promote Indian culture, heritage, and values through the vehicle of Hindi language.

The organization, conceived as youth centric, was named Yuvā Hindī Sansthān (YHS). The founders, led by Dr. Surendra Gambhir, vowed to work for the sole aim of revitalizing and promoting Hindi among youth in the United States and other countries. Yuvā Hindī Sansthān Inc. strives to create opportunities to improve the communicative capacity in Hindi of youngsters through youth-centered workshops, camps, cultural events, and other educational, academic, and community-oriented activities throughout the United States. Within a year, YHS succeeded in organizing an educational language and culture camp in Atlanta, GA, known as the STARTALK Yuvā Summer Hindi Camp 2010.

In this program, one hundred school children attended a ten-day camp from June 19 to 28, 2010. Approximately 54% of the students came from Hindi-speaking families, and 46% came from families in which Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, and Marathi are spoken.

The students were grouped on the basis of their proficiency in Hindi. Most of the teachers in the program were experienced instructors who had received training in the STARTALK institutes organized by the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. The program had active support from Emory University and the Hindi Urdu Flagship program at the University of Texas at Austin.

The curriculum of the camp was guided by ACTFL national standards. Use of Hindi was expected in all classes and activities from 9 am to 6 pm. The students began their day with a Yoga session conducted by a trained instructor followed by 3-hour classroom sessions where they practiced three modes of communication (interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive) and learned literacy skills.

The classroom activities included theatrical performances, singing, and playing games. In their afternoon computer class, students browsed Hindi websites, read stories in Hindi, and prepared PowerPoint presentations. They participated in a number of engaging activities such as arts and crafts classes and sports, such as cricket. At times students had to be reminded to speak in Hindi only. The day ended with dancing to the tunes of Bollywood music.

On a field trip the students were introduced to the architectural beauty and religious symbols of a Hindu temple called Akshardham, where a guide spoke to them in simple Hindi. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Museum was the second stop of the day, where they learned about the philosophical connection between Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. The trip ended with a visit to Global Mall, an exclusive Indian shopping plaza, where the students bought ice cream and snacks while speaking Hindi to all vendors. The vendors were alerted in advance to speak in Hindi only.

On June 27, the program organized a bazaar, with lots of food and other Indian merchandise. Students and their parents bargained prices in Hindi with the vendors. This was followed by a cultural program that the students presented before a large audience comprised of their parents and invited guests.
A sense of accomplishment prevailed on the faces of young students as they received their certificates of participation from the program director, Dr. Surendra Gambhir. The 2010 STARTALK Yuvā Summer Hindi Camp came to a close with the parents watching their sons and daughters with great satisfaction and students demonstrating better understanding of Hindi and Indian culture.

The communities of Atlanta have discovered a new way to engage their younger generation in learning, practicing and appreciating another culture that will enrich the lives of the next generation. The teachers and functionaries of yuva Hindi Sansthan have promised to come back next year to work with another set of youngsters of Atlanta with the same enthusiasm that was visible this year.

The Heritage Voices Collection is designed to spotlight individual heritage language speakers and programs. The information presented does not necessarily represent the views of the Alliance for the Advancement of Heritage Languages or the Center for Applied Linguistics.
Visit us online at www.cal.org/heritage
Heritage Voices Program: Yuvā Summer Hindi Camp © 2010 Center for Applied Linguistics November 2010

घर वापसी

नव भारत टाइम्स, दिल्ली में फरवरी २०१० में प्रकाशित:
एक महीने बाद अमेरिका लौटने को क्या कहूं? 'होमेकामिंग'? भारत का दौरा भी तो 'होमेकामिंग' ही था. दशकों बाद मित्रो से मिला. अपने भाई-बहनों से मिला. सभी ने अपना ही तो समझ कर स्वीकार किया. चढ़ती उम्र की घोषणा करते मुखमंडल मुस्कान से चौड़े दिखे. पुराने मतभेदों को भूला कर अपने घर आने के न्योते दिए. सचमुच अपने घर लौटा था. प्रगति और आतंकवाद से प्रताड़ित अपने देश भारत में.
लेकिन एक माह के प्रवास के बाद कुछ याद आने लगा. दिल्ली से नेवार्क की पंद्रह घंटों की नॉन स्टॉप हवाई यात्रा के दौरान मालूम हुआ कि न्यू जर्सी में बहुत बर्फ गिरी है. इसका मतलब है घर के बाहर सफ़ेद बर्फ की एक परत जम गयी होगी. घर के किनारे खड़ी दोनों कारें बर्फ से ढक गयी होंगी. चिंता इस बात की हुई कि पादचारी मार्ग का जो हिस्सा मेरे घर से गुजरता है उसे किसने बर्फ मुक्त किया होगा? अमेरिका में अपने घरों के बाहर सार्वजनिक पगडंडियों को साफ़ रखना कानूनी जिम्मेदारी है वरना कोई फिसल कर घायल हो गया तो मुक़दमा ठोकना उसका हक बन जाता है.
एअरपोर्ट से बाहर आते ही देखा सडकों पर बर्फ की परत अभी पिघली नहीं है. रात के अँधेरे में टैक्सी स्टैंड से एडिसन जाने के लिए टैक्सी में बैठा. चालक एक अश्वेत नौजवान था. आगे की सीट पुराने कागजों के पुलिंदे से भरी थी--लापरवाह घर की तरह जिसमे कोई सामान अपनी जगह पर नहीं होता. अश्वेत टैक्सी वाले की अस्त व्यस्त गाड़ी देखकर मिथक से भरे दिमाग में अनहोनी सोच परेशान करने लगी. मन घबरा गया कि कहीं वह पड़ोस के उन मुहल्लों में न ले जाये जो अपराधिक घटनाओं के लिए बदनाम हैं. मार्टिन लूथर किंग के इस देश में आज भी अपराध और अपराध से जुडी बस्तिओं को काले लोगों के साथ जोड़ने की भूल की जाती है. हर अवधारण सही नहीं हो सकती! मन को समझाते हुए मैंने नौजवान ड्राईवर से बातचीत के ज़रिये जुड़ना चाहा.
टैक्सी चालक को अपनी बातों में उलझाते हुए उसे बताया पंद्रह घंटो की हवाई यात्रा कितनी थकान भरी होती है. उसने वाव (wow ) के सिवा कुछ नहीं कहा. रैप म्यूजिक का कैसेट लगा कर गाड़ी चलता रहा. कई जगह रास्ता भूला तो मैंने दुरुस्त किया, उसने थैंक यू कहा और आगे बढ़ता रहा.
घर के बहार बर्फ का अम्बार... काले युवक ने सामान बर्फ पर रख दिया. पगडंडी साफ़ थी. किसने किया? दोनों तरफ के पडोसी तो श्वेत हैं. भारत यात्रा के पूर्व उनको बता भी नहीं सका था कि घर का ध्यान रखना. यहाँ पडोसिओं को अपनी यात्रा के बारे में बताने का रिवाज़ नहीं है. दाहिने तरफ की पड़ोसन, डायना, जिसके घर एक बार सिर्फ मिठाई देने गया था और उसने तीन बार आभार व्यक्त किया था, हर सोमवार को मेरे घर के बाहर रखा कचरे का डब्बा, जब मुनिसिपल्टी ट्रक खली कर जाता है, तो उसे उठा कर मेरे घर के पिछवाड़े रखने का काम करती है. बाएँ तरफ का पडोसी जेम्स, जब मेरी पत्नी घास काटने की मशीन चला नहीं पाती , बिना बुलाये आकर मदद करता है. आश्चर्य किन्तु सत्य: मेरे दोनों पड़ोसियों में से किसी ने मेरे घर के बाहर बर्फ की सफाई कर दी थी. श्वेत पडोसिओं को अश्वेत पडोसी अच्छे नहीं लगते. यह मिथक भी गलत साबित हुआ.
सोचता हूँ बर्फ साफ़ करने के लिए मदद की ज़रुरत होगी. किसी प्रोफेसनल को बुलाना होगा. कम से कम सौ डोलर खर्च होंगे. गाड़ियों की छत से बर्फ निकालना मेरे वश की बात नहीं. डिरेक्टरी से नम्बर ढूंढ कर फ़ोन लगाया. कितना लोगे? उसने पूछा कितना काम है? मैंने कहा: इतना ही कि आधे घंटे में हो जाये और मैं चालीस डोलर दूंगा, नगद. वह तैयार हो गया. दूसरी भ्रान्ति भी गलत. अमेरिकी व्यापारी हमेशा ओवर चार्ज करते है, यह सही नहीं.
ठंड के मौसम में गाड़ी चालू हालत में हो तो ज़िन्दगी सामान्य ढर्रे पर चल निकलती है. मेरी ज़िन्दगी को एक महीने बाद नियमित करना था. भारत जाने के पहले डाक घर को सूचित कर आया था कि एक महीने तक मेरी चिट्ठियां पोस्ट ऑफिस में ही रखे. आज जाकर सभी पुराने डाक लाने होंगे. लेकिन जाऊँगा कैसे? गाड़ी तो बंद है. 'ट्रिपल ए' यानि अमेंरिकन ओटोमोबिल एसोसिएसन का मेम्बरशिप आज ही के लिए तो बना है. गाड़ी बंद हो तो बुलाओ, जम्प लगा कर चालू कर देता है. कोई खर्च नहीं. और यह सब अकेले ही करना है. पडोसी से यह सब बताने का रिवाज़ नहीं है यहाँ.

Will the world leaders reach a consensus on climate change?

While the world is watching over the future course of actions the world leaders might agree to take on the issue of climate change two emerging players in the International community, India and China came forward with pointed thoughts on the issue. China has listed five points for wealthy countries to act on emission control. These points included a system for encouraging investment that cut poor-country emissions and share technology.

India, on the other hand, talked about a legislation it was creating to cut down its own emissions from power plants, agriculture, buildings, transportation and heavy industry.
Both India and China have been accused of not doing enough to cut carbon emissions. But these countries demand that rich nations must act decisively to their parts before taking poor countries on board.

Meetings between world leaders are currently going on to reach a consensus of climate change in the summit that is scheduled to be held in December in Copenhagen. The progress on climate negotiation is slow and a possible deal is not in sight. Still global warming is not going to wait for world leaders to agree or disagree. The world must be saved from an ecological disaster.
Undoubtedly, investment in energy efficiency and low-carbon energy sources will reduce dependence on oil and drive the economy. The investors in this sector need to be encouraged through a mutually agreed international climate regulation.

British Prime Minister recently came out with a significant proposal. He wants to bring poor countries on board by initiating a $100 billion program that would by financed by wealthier countries and the private sector. The program will help poorer nations develop low-carbon economies.

“ We must move toward resolving the issues that remain before Copenhagen. If it is necessary to secure agreement, I will personally go to Copenhagen to achieve it. I will be urging my fellow leaders to do the same”, he confirmed his commitment to a consensus on climate change.
Gordon advocates a common economic goal to establish a new system of governance. To achieve this a clear commitment from the Group of 20 is needed to provide a framework for jobs, growth and stability over the medium to long term — one that perhaps even includes objectives for global growth.

It is interesting to note how far India can go to demonstrate to the world its commitment for curbing carbon emission. India has reaffirmed its commitment to develop solar energy as a renewable means of bringing electricity to more than 400 million people now living without it. India's opposition parties needed to understand the cost of depleting the ozone layer if environment friendly industries are not developed. The opposition parties in India are adverse to compromises that could sacrifice development.

At this moment world leaders must overcome their narrow international interests and help negotiators to finalize a deal before the Copenhagen summit.

The stage has been set at the United Nations where high-level summit meetings aimed at reaching consensus are expected to bring the world temperature to 2 degrees Fahrenheit below the current rate of global warming. It is encouraging to note that the developing countries have agreed on the need to mitigate their emissions, but a mandatory limit has been rejected if no financial or technical support came forth from wealthy nations.

In this respect Europe and United States widely disagree with each other. Europe is willing to donate $2 billion to $15 billion a year for the next decade to help less developed nations adapt to climate change. The Obama administration has not offered anything close. The Europeans also want binding, near-term targets for developed nations. Bush administration had rejected the Kyoto Protocol because it did not set limits on emissions from China and other major developing nations. Under Obama the United States stand a chance to correct mistakes of the previous administration. However, US is not supportive of any international treaties, but would rather enact its own domestic legislation.

The United States and China must reach a consensus on curbing emission, as the both account for about 40 percent of world emissions.

Cautioning the world and especially USA, Nobel prize winner Princeton economist, Paul Krugman recently said in his column in the New York Times, “It’s important to understand that claims of immense economic damage from climate legislation are as bogus, in their own way, as climate-change denial. Saving the planet won’t come free (although the early stages of conservation actually might). But it won’t cost all that much either.”

Krugman suggests that US is “burning large amounts of coal, oil and gas in ways that don’t actually enhance our standard of living — a phenomenon known in the research literature as the “energy-efficiency gap.” The existence of this gap suggests that policies promoting energy conservation could, up to a point, actually make consumers richer.

“Second, the best available economic analyses suggest that even deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions would impose only modest costs on the average family.”

Krugman calculated the great burden on American public if emissions were not limited. “By 2050, when the emissions limit would be much tighter, the burden would rise to 1.2 percent of income.”

Experts agree that the US can lead the world in reaching an agreement on climate change under President Obama.

Will Obama succeed in providing universal healthcare?

The conservatives have begun the last battle to oppose President Obama's initiative to reform healthcare system in this country aimed at providing affordable coverage to all Americans. During the President's speech at the joint session of US congress, Joe Wilson, a Republican lawmaker protested uttering the phrase, 'You lie!' At a conservative protest rally in Washington, references were made to the President that critics term as 'racially motivated'. Questions about Obama's citizenship have also been raised in some quarters.

But Obama has made it clear not to be distracted from his mission of reforming healthcare in the country because of such incidents. White House considers such allegations as efforts by interest groups to divert the nation's attention from the great debate that has engulfed the nation. The president wants to provide a system in which every citizen is able to choose an affordable healthcare insurance policy based on competitive prices to be made available in the market.

Currently, Americans have to depend on an insurance plan that is offered by their employers. Once the reform plans is turned into a legislation by the US Congress and signed by the President, Americans will be empowered to choose from a wide variety of health plans. The insurance companies would be motivated to charge affordable rates in order to attract more customers. At the same time insurance companies that failed to treat customers with respect and indulged in overcharging for services would be discouraged and eventually would have no option than to function in a fairer manner.

As the President elaborated in his speech at Capitol Hill, the bills that are pending in the Congress would create an exchange system in which the consumer would have access to prices of various plans. It will then be easier to compare the prices before choosing a suitable plan. The companies who would participate in such an insurance exchange would work on a mandate to offer coverage to whoever wanted to buy a plan without discriminating on the basis of age, gender or health status.

It is estimated that approximately 25 million people might be benefited by the new system. However, those already having an insurance will continue to keep their plans. The President has made the healthcare reform policy as his topmost priority as he declared that he wanted to be the last President to tackle this issue. It means that he is determined to bring a conclusion to the healthcare reform that has been debated for decades without the nation reaching a final stage. While arguing in the favor of the universal healthcare Obama thought it important to clarify a number of doubts that have been flown around by those who want status quo.

Assuring elderly citizens Obama made it clear that he was committed to protect the existing government run healthcare scheme, 'Medicare', adding that the notion that the reform policy would deny care to elderly was unfounded. It is clear that the President is keen to bring a plan that is accepted by both his supporters and the opponents. The nation remains deeply divided on the issue and obstacles are not yet cleared to pass a bill that reflects the vision of the President.

The process to offer universal healthcare was started by the former President Bill Clinton in 1993. Clinton began the process that remained unfinished during his presidency. President Obama has taken the responsibility to end this process. To reach his goal he showed his willingness to work with Republicans as he indicated during his speech when he announced to incorporate an idea from his former rival Senator John McCain that poor should be protected against mounting medical expenses that could drive people to bankruptcy.

Obama is using economic and bipartisan wisdom to fulfill his promises made during the 2008 presidential campaign. He definitely has the support of the majority of Americans. However, the battle is not yet over. The opponents of reform are bent upon waging a last battle that needs to be fought by Obama supporters with patience.

Will Obama succeed in providing universal healthcare?

The conservatives have begun the last battle to oppose President Obama's initiative to reform healthcare system in this country aimed at providing affordable coverage to all Americans. During the President's speech at the joint session of US congress, Joe Wilson, a Republican lawmaker protested uttering the phrase, 'You lie!' At a conservative protest rally in Washington, references were made to the President that critics term as 'racially motivated'. Questions about Obama's citizenship have also been raised in some quarters.

But Obama has made it clear not to be distracted from his mission of reforming healthcare in the country because of such incidents. White House considers such allegations as efforts by interest groups to divert the nation's attention from the great debate that has engulfed the nation. The president wants to provide a system in which every citizen is able to choose an affordable healthcare insurance policy based on competitive prices to be made available in the market.

Currently, Americans have to depend on an insurance plan that is offered by their employers. Once the reform plans is turned into a legislation by the US Congress and signed by the President, Americans will be empowered to choose from a wide variety of health plans. The insurance companies would be motivated to charge affordable rates in order to attract more customers. At the same time insurance companies that failed to treat customers with respect and indulged in overcharging for services would be discouraged and eventually would have no option than to function in a fairer manner.

As the President elaborated in his speech at Capitol Hill, the bills that are pending in the Congress would create an exchange system in which the consumer would have access to prices of various plans. It will then be easier to compare the prices before choosing a suitable plan. The companies who would participate in such an insurance exchange would work on a mandate to offer coverage to whoever wanted to buy a plan without discriminating on the basis of age, gender or health status.

It is estimated that approximately 25 million people might be benefited by the new system. However, those already having an insurance will continue to keep their plans. The President has made the healthcare reform policy as his topmost priority as he declared that he wanted to be the last President to tackle this issue. It means that he is determined to bring a conclusion to the healthcare reform that has been debated for decades without the nation reaching a final stage. While arguing in the favor of the universal healthcare Obama thought it important to clarify a number of doubts that have been flown around by those who want status quo.

Assuring elderly citizens Obama made it clear that he was committed to protect the existing government run healthcare scheme, 'Medicare', adding that the notion that the reform policy would deny care to elderly was unfounded. It is clear that the President is keen to bring a plan that is accepted by both his supporters and the opponents. The nation remains deeply divided on the issue and obstacles are not yet cleared to pass a bill that reflects the vision of the President.

The process to offer universal healthcare was started by the former President Bill Clinton in 1993. Clinton began the process that remained unfinished during his presidency. President Obama has taken the responsibility to end this process. To reach his goal he showed his willingness to work with Republicans as he indicated during his speech when he announced to incorporate an idea from his former rival Senator John McCain that poor should be protected against mounting medical expenses that could drive people to bankruptcy.

Obama is using economic and bipartisan wisdom to fulfill his promises made during the 2008 presidential campaign. He definitely has the support of the majority of Americans. However, the battle is not yet over. The opponents of reform are bent upon waging a last battle that needs to be fought by Obama supporters with patience.