Monthly Archives: December 2009

10 most common New Year Resolutions for 2010

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1. Get fit: Many of us like to put this on the top of their list. May be just because it sounds good :) .
2. Lose Weight: This is another common resolution, obviously not working if it is on the list every year. :)
3. Break a bad habit: Minimize/quit drinking or smoking or swearing….. Not sure why wait for the New Year to break a habit if it bothers/affects you.
4. Move to another country: India to abroad; or go back to India. We spend lots of our time ‘planning’ to leave home or going back home.
5. Be more organized: Does making a list of resolutions count towards this goal? Continue reading →

Hitler and India – The Swastika

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Given the gravity of the crimes he committed against humanity in general and against the Jews in particular, Hitler is considered one of the worst evils a human can be. The evil dictator was responsible for the death of millions of innocent people, just because they did not fit his distorted and evil vision of so called ‘pure race’.

Among Indians, Hitler is often discussed for his affinity or likings of Hinduism. Though there is no direct proof of this from his writings or speeches, the origin of German symbol of Swastika and his belief in supreme Aryan race are some times opined as his affinity to Hindu religion.
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In Hinduism, the word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word svastika meaning any lucky or auspicious object. The swastika is a mark (or a symbol) often made on persons and things to show good luck.

The swastika is considered a sacred symbol among the followers of many Indians religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It has long been a part of the Indian traditions, rituals and is often depicted in the religious or worship settings.

So, did Hitler take the traditional Hindu good-luck symbol of the swastika, rotated it by 45 degree and then used it as the German icon of his Nazi campaign? It was commonly used on the Nazi party’s flag, the badges, the armband and so on. Continue reading →

Hitler and India – The Aryan Race

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“How has the dejection come to you at this juncture? This is not fit for an Aryan. It is disgraceful, and it does not lead one to heaven, O Arjuna.” ~ Lord Krishna in Holy Book ‘Gita’

Hitler, the evil dictator was responsible for the death of millions of innocent people, just because they did not fit his distorted and evil vision of so called ‘pure race’. We all know that Hitler and Nazi Germany wanted to propagate, what is often quoted as, the ‘Aryan race’. The term ‘Aryan Race’ and its meaning are often mistaken or distorted from what it really stands for.

Here are some of the key facts:

  • Aryans are the original speakers of the Indo-European languages. According to the most common definition, Aryans originate from the ancient Indo-Iranians, Indo-European peoples who inhabited parts of what are now Iran, Afghanistan, and India.
  • The word ‘Arya’ is found in Hindu religion and in Sanskrit, and it refers to the upper crust of ancient Indian society, or a noble person.
  • A German scholar has also linked the Indo-Iranian Aryan with the German word ‘Ehre’ meaning “honor”.

However, according to what Hitler and his Nazi regime believed, the Aryan descendants are supposedly a sub-group of the Caucasian (White) race. Hitler wanted to put forward this Aryan race as the ‘master race’ or ‘supreme race’. Continue reading →

Hitler and India – Enemy of the enemy?

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Hitler, the evil dictator was responsible for the death of millions of innocent people, just because they did not fit his distorted and evil vision of so called ‘pure race’. We – the Indians – seem to have a bit different view of Hitler than rest of the world. However, it is not by choice. The fact is that Hitler, a globally hated figure, is not much discussed in Indian class-rooms, or outside the class for that matter. The world war history taught in our schools has focused on what India saw or what India gained/lost during that period of instability.

Indians, during 1940s, had bigger things to worry about. The partition of India was the main talk of politics and religion; we were too busy hating our own neighbors, who had no time for Hitler!

If anything, Hitler has always been a subject of curiosity amongst Indians. Most of the western world hates him with passion. We – the Indians – don’t see this hate or strong dislike of him until we leave India and go overseas.

Hate or no hate, Hitler has become a fascinating figure in India; may be a bit mysterious. The limited knowledge of his life amongst our cultures and the way he is portrayed in Indian school books leaves us wanting for more.

1940s – India and German

To understand the relation between India and Hitler, we need to remind ourselves about the world politics in the early 20th century.

In early 1930s Hitler was gaining popularity in Europe and rest of the world was starting to take notice of his fanatic views. Moreover, inside and outside of Europe, German was considered as one of the major world power with one of the most organized and most powerful army in the world. After an alliance with Italy, German practically ruled a large part of Europe.

Around the same time, in 1930s and 1940s, India’s struggle for freedom was starting to gain momentum. While Gandhi and his followers were taking a non-violence route to the ultimate goal of independence, there were others who were considering all means possibilities, – including violence – to push the British Empire out of the country. Subhash Chandra Bose was one of them.

Subhash Chandra Bose and Hitler

As they say, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’!
In 1940s, around the same time when England (along with its allies) was fighting German in the World War II, Indian Freedom fighters were looking for ways to beat England on the Indian soil. For many Indian freedom fighters, German and Hitler – an enemy of the enemy – was hard to ignore from the possible list of friends.

In 1941, Subhash Chandra Bose, the Indian revolutionary leader, went to German seeking help for Indian freedom fight against British Empire. His main goal was to get Hitler’s help for organizing an Indian army to fight against England – the common enemy. Continue reading →

20 Best Bollywood movies of 90s decade

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20 Best Bollywood movies from 1990 to 1999
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Here we go again. Many may disagree, others may consider their own list much better – we all do. But, here is a list of movies that made a splash in the 90s. The brief description includes main/lead cast, year of release and general genre of each movie. The 90s decade brought us some of the very memorable flicks, here are 20 of them:

1. Ghayal (1990): Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, this popular thriller starts Sunny Deol and Meenakshi Seshadri in the lead role. It was one of the blockbuster of the year and also won the Filmfare ‘Best movie’ award.

2. Dil (1990): This is a lovable romantic comedy; it has some of the best music of its time. Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher and Saeed Jaffrey lead the cast and a very superior acting all around.

3. Diksha (1991) Meaning ‘initiation, the Hindi film is based on a novel by famous Kannada writer U. R. Ananthamurthy. The film depicts a complicated story of a Guru and his widowed daughter it is infused with Indian culture and local traditions. A well told story of human emotions and willpower.

4. Lamhe (1991): This is a classic Yash Chopra film. It stars Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Waheeda Rehman and Anupam Kher in the main cast. The film is critically acclaimed, and has exceptionally good music. This romantic drama received the well deserved ‘Best Movie’ Filmfare award.

5. Beta (1992): The film featured the popular pair of its time – Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor. This is a very entertaining movie with some very good music numbers, including popular song “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”.

6. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992): This is Mansoor Khan directed movie; he is more famous for another hit ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’. Aamir Khan and Pooja Bedi star in this romantic drama. It was a blockbuster flick of its time and a winner of ‘Best movie’ Filmfare award..

7. Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke (1993) Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, the movies has a wonderful musical score by Nadeem-Shravan. Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla pair well in the lead role. This romantic film has some of the best acting from Juhi Chawla and was very popular among critics and laymen alike. Continue reading →

The best gifts for Christmas and Beyond!

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The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

This is the only holiday when everybody wake-ups early in the morning – much earlier than usual, – to find out what ‘Santa’ has brought for Christmas. Every kid spends weeks and weeks to come up with a wish list – a well crafted, and often revised list of all the toys and game and presents and…..

The day of reckoning is here – to find out what everybody got; how many of the wishes have come true.

Yes, the gifts are a good gesture for kids and grown-ups alike, everybody loves receiving presents. And, if we can get what we really wished for, even better….

So what was on your wish list? Some of the common wish lists may include:

  • An electronic toy or a gadget – iphone, PS3, Wii, XBOX 360, iPod, Robot Dog or a real dog…
  • A kick scooter, a book, a book reader, a necklace or a promise ring…..
  • A new pair of skinny jeans, a dress shirt, a wet/dry shaver or a pair of snow boots….

These gifts, the surprise presents…..the things we wished for this holiday season….they all sound good.
And then, there are some things that we often ignore to include in our wish-list. Just because we did not put them on our list does not mean they matter less. In fact, most of them matter far more. Things like:

  • Spending time with the family
  • Good health – your own and that of your loved ones
  • Playing with the kids – your own, or the siblings…A child brings out the best in us.
  • Sharing something that we have – the knowledge, the wealth, the joy…for our own good.
  • Helping a neighbor or a friend, or those who need our help. There is no bigger satisfaction than giving.
  • Helping the environment stay clean – Our grand-kids will be very thankful, even after we are long gone..
  • Looking in the mirror and trying to recognize the real in us. There is more good in there, just look harder! :)
  • ….and many other that apply to our unique situation

Continue reading →

21 Topics for Small Talk Conversation for all occasions

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Small talk – a conversation or chit chat without any specific topic – is a necessity in any social or professional environment. In fact, making small talk is the lesser of an evil when you compare it to an awkward and drawn out silence. But, what would you talk about – during small talk.

Here are some of the most common topics to start a conversation, or keep it going:

1. Hello/Hi: A simple hello is good way to start any small talk.

2. Introduction: If meeting for the first time, make sure to introduce yourself. It shows your interest in the meeting, and puts a name to the face.

3. Situation and surroundings: Talk about the surroundings or the venue: ‘Nice place, huh!’ or ‘I like this cafe!’

4. Weather talk: This is all time classic, may be a bit too much used. However, a talk about weather always gets the conversation going.

5. How was your day? : If the meeting is in the late day or in the evening, talk about how your day was, there is always something to share: ‘how is your day going so far?’

6. So what are you up to today/tonight? : Ask about short term plans for the day, or the night or the next day. This is always good way to keep the discussion going. Continue reading →

Chiropractic care and its benefits

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This is a ‘guest post’ from a chiropractic care practitioner. There are always questions or myths associated with this field of health care – specifically among Indians or desi communities. Who needs the Chiropractic care, when and why…?? The article below describes the basics of chiropractic care and its benefits.

Chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system. It is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in North America.

For many conditions, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care is frequently the primary and most effective method of treatment. Where other conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Chiropractic care may also be used to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic conditions. According to patient surveys, by treating the neuromusculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment has been shown to improve the general well-being of the patient. Continue reading →

A not so vain global fashion

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The fashions change with time, the trends evolve. The hairstyle, the shoes, the dress code..….everything changes as the time goes.

And, it is not just our dress code, it is not just how we present ourselves, the change is a part of every aspect of our lives. How we address each-other, how we greet someone, how we write, how we talk…..everything is so different compared to when we were kids.

When we were kids, smoking in public was a common scene; throwing trash on the roadside – or in the middle of the street – was not rare; kicking an empty can or a bottle down the street was normal. It was somewhat cool and expected.

But that is not the case anymore. The time has moved on, so has the social thinking, so has the new ‘cool’.

Now-a-days, people dress less formal; the greetings are more casual. It is no longer a fashion to smoke in a public place. You will get some dirty looks if you decide to toss your empty Coke or Pepsi bottle in the middle of the road.

So what is fashion now-a-days? What is the new cool?

Cleaning behind your own mess is considered cool now-a-days. If you refrain from smoking, your colleagues appreciate that – as non-smoking is the new trend. If you recycle your waste, you will earn some extra points from your neighbors and friends. Picking up someone else’s trash and throwing in the recycle or garbage bin nearby is all cool.

So next time, when you see an empty bottle or a can lying in the middle of the street, when you see a newspaper trashed along side-walk, it is okay to pick it up and throw it in the recycle bin. It is okay to remind a smoker in a public park that smoking is not allowed there; a mother with a small kid nearby will appreciate your gesture.

Now-a-days, here in North America, more and more households are switching to fuel efficient cars and trucks. People are starting to brag about how they are using environment friendly ideas – the solar lights, the energy efficient appliances, planting more trees in the neighborhood. ‘Going green’ is becoming a new topic of small talk……

It is the new trend; it is the new fashion that is catching up everywhere. Continue reading →

25 Highest Paying Jobs and Occupations in America

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25 Jobs and Occupations with the highest median annual wages in America

A program from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), called ‘The Occupational Employment Statistics’ produces employment and wage estimates for national and state level occupations. Based on the data available from May 2008, following are the highest paying jobs and occupations in America, along with the the median annual wages and a brief description of the occupation as provided by the US BLS.

Note that a highest paying job does not mean that it is in the highest demand.

1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (More than $166,400): Perform surgery on mouth, jaws, and related head and neck structure to execute difficult and multiple extractions of teeth, to remove tumors and other abnormal growths, to correct abnormal jaw relations by mandibular or maxillary revision, to prepare mouth for insertion of dental prosthesis, or to treat fractured jaws.

2. Orthodontists(More than $166,400): Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

3. Prosthodontists (More than $166,400) Construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.

4. Physicians and surgeons (More than $166,400) : All physicians and surgeons not listed separately. This is general category for the physicians/doctors and surgeons, practice medicine and perform surgeries.

6. Chief executives ($158,560): Determine and formulate policies and provide the overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within the guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

6. Dentists, general ($142,870): Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums and related oral structures. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting vitality of teeth. Continue reading →

Happy Winter Season! Hibernate and Celebrate!!

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“The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
~ From “Stopping by Woods On A Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

The Mother Nature always has a way to show its artistic touch. The colorful autumn is followed by a white blanket of snow and the cold chills of winter season that covers better part of the northern globe.

December 21 marks the official first day of winter season in America, when the day is the shortest of the year, and the night the longest. However, if you look at the snow covered outdoors, or if you ask the school crossing guards in the early mornings, or if you see the cardinals, Canadian geese and European robins migrating to warmer territories……you can tell that the winter has been here for many weeks.

Snow Storms and Bone chilling Cold
The better part of North America and Europe is painted white with fresh snow of December. The leafless trees, the rooftops, the roads, the frozen ponds..…everything is beatified with an accent of white snow. Some may say that there is nothing beautiful about winter – the opinions vary, the tastes differ. :)

In the cold days of winter, the old and wise may prefer to take shelter from the fierce weather and hibernate indoors. However, the shivering temperatures and frost bites of wintry chill are not enough to discourage the young ones who are busy with winter games. Making snowmen, sledding in the backyards, or starting a snowball fight with the next-door neighbors……are part of the daily rituals.

As the temperatures dip below freezing, the wrath of cold is felt everywhere. A few minutes of direct exposure to the freezing chill can get you in some serious danger and health risk. As I write this (on December 20, 2009), the better part of America is in the midst of a monster size snow-storm. Washington DC, New York and many Canadian cities are being hammered with heavy snowfall, with more than 20 inches of snow accumulation in last one day. The treacherous outdoor conditions are creating havoc for everybody – the blizzard and white-outs, the slippery roods, the snow covered walkways and frozen airports runaway…… The week-end before the Christmas, thousands of travelers are stuck on the road, or in the airports.

The train service between England and France is canceled for the weekend after the severe wintry weather in northern France caused the breakdown of six trains, stranding thousands of passengers on both sides of the English Channel on the weekend before Christmas.….

Well, you got the idea! Winter is not a pretty season when it comes to outdoor life!!

Christmas and New Year Parties
The Christmas holidays – the Christmas celebration – is the main attraction to look forward to in the winter season. The gift-giving, the music, the special meal, and the display of decorations including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe……. The Christmas celebrations are a welcome break from the shivering outdoors. The kids wait for Santa Claus to mysteriously deliver their gifts and toys on the Christmas night. Most of the schools and business close for Christmas holidays. Those who love shopping and gift giving – including gifts for self – the winter is the best shopping season. Starting Thanksgiving, the stores and shopping malls offer some of the best discounts and deals of the year.
The Christmas is followed by the new-year festivities, where the nightlong parties are the norms. After all, winter is not all that bad if you look closer!

Winter Blues
Many poets and writers have symbolized the winter season as a ‘downer’ – when hope is scarce to find, when depression becomes a contagious disease. In fact, many of you may recall, in ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, it is always winter and never Christmas; C.S. Lewis used winter to suggest the absence of hope in this classic. So, it is not so uncommon to face the ‘winter blues’ – the gloomy mood symptom blamed on the harsh cold weather. Continue reading →

Change in US Labor Force by Race and Ethnicity

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Source: US Bureau of Labor Stats

Source: US Bureau of Labor Stats

“Making informed career decisions requires reliable information about opportunities in the future. Opportunities result from the relationships between the population, labor force, and the demand for goods and services.”  ~ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has a very comprehensive report on jobs and occupations in USA. The report outlines various aspects of job situations and provides projections on the jobs outlook.

The term labor force or work force includes all the people either working or looking for work. Over the next 10 years,  based on the population growth and job outlook, the report also includes the change in the labor force for different races. This chart here has a graphical view of change in labor force by race and ethnic origin comparing 2008  employment to the projection for 2018. Note that there is no separate category for ‘Indian Americans’; in this study, they are part the ‘Asian’ group.

Some of the Highlights of the report are:

  •  The U.S. workforce is expected to become more diverse by 2018.
  • Among racial groups, Whites are expected to make up a decreasing share of the labor force, while Blacks, Asians, and all other groups will increase their share.
  • The Asian work force is expected to rise from 4.7 percent to 5.6 percent, a relative growth of 25 percent over 10 years.

    • Continue reading →

US Employment scene by Race and Ethnicity

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The interesting facts and the information below are based on a report from US Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their report ‘Labor Force Characteristics by Race and Ethnicity, 2008′ is compiled for the year 2008; however, the picture painted below is probably not far from what we have today, in 2009.
Also, note that there is no separate category for ‘Indian Americans’;  in this study, they are part the ‘Asian’ group. Here are the key highlights from the US Department of Labor report:

Occupation and industry

  • Compared to Asians and whites, blacks and Hispanics are less likely to be in management, professional, and related occupations—the highest paying major job category.
  • In 2008, half of Asian men worked in management, professional, and related occupations, compared with only 34 percent of white men, 23 percent of black men, and 15 percent of Hispanic men.
  • Among women, in 2008, Asians were more likely than other groups to be employed in management, professional, and related jobs.
  • About 46 percent of Asian women were employed in management and professional occupation group, compared with about 41 percent of white women, 31 percent of black women, and 24 percent of Hispanic women. In contrast, 64 percent of Hispanic women worked in service jobs and in sales and office jobs, compared with about 60 percent of black women, 53 percent of white women, and 46 percent of Asian women.
  • Asians accounted for 5 percent of all employed workers but made up a much larger share of workers in several job categories, including computer software engineers (29 percent); physicians and surgeons (17 percent); and electrical, electronics, and electromechanical assemblers (18 percent).
  • Asians were over-represented in professional and business services, in manufacturing, and in leisure and hospitality.

Unemployment and not in the labor force

  • Among the major race and ethnic groups, Asians had the lowest unemployment rate of 4.0% in 2008. The blacks had the highest rate at 10.1 percent, 7.6 percent for Hispanics and 5.2 percent for whites.
  • The unemployment rates were 4.9 percent for white adult men and 4.4 percent for white adult women. The jobless rates for Asian adult men and women were 3.9 and 3.5 percent, respectively. However, the rates for black adult men and women were 10.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively.
  • Teenagers (ages 16 to 19) are especially vulnerable to joblessness. In 2008, black teenagers had the highest unemployment rate among the major race and ethnicity groups at 31.2 percent, compared with 22.4 percent for Hispanics, 16.8 percent for whites, and 14.6 percent for Asians.
  • Unemployed blacks have been jobless for longer periods than unemployed workers in other groups. In 2008, the median duration of unemployment for blacks was 12.1 weeks, compared with 10.2 weeks for Asians, 8.8 weeks for whites, and 8.4 weeks for Hispanics.

Education

  • About 90 percent of blacks and Asians in the labor force had received at least a high school diploma, the same proportion as whites. However, only about 68 percent of Hispanics had completed high school.
  • Asians were most likely to have graduated from college; 58 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 34 percent of whites, 24 percent of blacks, and 16 percent of Hispanics.
  • For all the groups, higher levels of education are associated with a greater likelihood of being employed.
  • Individuals with higher levels of education generally have better access to higher paying jobs. However, at nearly every level of education, blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be unemployed in 2008 than Asians or whites. Go figure!

Continue reading →

A journey from home, to home

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A journey begins at home,
But, go where the new path leads you;
Where the rainbows embrace the horizon
Where new friends meet you.

Go where future holds a promise
Even if present seems rough;
Where you discover yourself
Bright ideas tease you.

Go where you find something new
That reminds you of old;
Where everyone is different
Where strangers greet you.

Go where streets are straight,
But the journeymen are twisted;
Where it rains in the sun
where skies surprise you. Continue reading →

20 Tips on personal safety and crime prevention abroad

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Commonsense tips on crime prevention and how to be safe in a foreign country

Safety doesn’t happen by accident. ~Author Unknown

Every country, neighborhood, every place has its flaws. One way or another, every city – big or small – is victim of crime. It is a part of the life; we are all exposed to some sort of danger all the time – at home or abroad.

In a foreign country, safety and security have always been keys concern of travelers and immigrants alike. Be it the streets of New York, south-side of Chicago, the suburbs of London,….. the safety is always in the forefronts of our thoughts.

An immigrant (or a minority) often considers herself/himself to be more exposed to the danger of personal safety for many reasons:

  • The local criminals may feel it easier or less risky to go after an outsider, or a minority group.
  • Many societies blame the immigrants for unemployment and job-loss issues, this social bias or grudge can contribute to the crimes against them.
  • Many fanatics may single out the minorities as a cause of their social agenda, and target them.

While you cannot eliminate the racism or discrimination overnight, – even though it is a good wish, next to the cure of aging – there are certain things we can all do to be safer and more secure in a foreign land:

1. Select the residence location wisely: Pick a neighborhood with low crime rate that is safer to live. Do your research while selecting a residence. For example, many local newspapers publish information such as ‘Best places to raise a family’. A local real estate agent can also guide you to the safer areas. Avoid areas with known crime issues.

2. Avoid bad company: It is simple as that, however, easier said than done. The company and the circle of friends you keep play a big role in day-to-day interactions with the society. Steer clear of the gang and crime infected social circles. Avoid areas with gang activities; stay away from unsavory characters.

3. Lock doors and windows: Once you have a residence selected in a good neighborhood, make it secure and burglar-proof. Install good quality dead-bolt locks on all the exterior doors. Also, Install quality locks on all the windows. Keeping your placed locked provides extra sense of security.

4. Cut over-grown shrubs and trees around the residence: Make sure to remove or trim shrubbery that hides doors and windows. That way, neighbors or passersby can see someone trying to break into your home. Limit the hiding spots for a burglar by keeping the bushes and trees tidy and well-trimmed.

5. Well-lit Place: Always have a light outside the front door and other areas of entrance. A well-lit area discourages the thieves and bad guys. Continue reading →