News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the authors and Parikh Worldwide Media does not officially endorse, and is not responsible or liable for them. News India Times (April 11, 2026 - April 17, 2026) April 17, 2026 4 Opinion G eorge Abraham has once again traveled to India to exercise his franchise in the Assembly elec- tions at his home constituency of Changannur in Kerala. For Abraham, this is not merely a routine civic duty, but a deeply personal and emotional journey, one he has under- taken consistently over the years. When asked what motivates him to return election after election, Abraham reflects with conviction: “It is a senti- ment for my motherland and a passion for the very idea of India.” He adds, with a note of introspection, “I often wonder why people like me had to leave this incredible land, so rich in natural beauty and heritage, to build lives elsewhere.” Having just cast his vote, he remarked, “I have exercised my democratic right, and I hope this small act contributes to keep- ing the spirit of democracy alive.” Abraham has spent nearly six decades - 58 years - abroad, primarily in the Unit- ed States, after a distinguished 36-year career with the United Nations, where he retired as Chief Technology Officer of the United Nations Pension Fund. Despite his global professional accomplishments, his connection to India and particularly to its political and democratic processes has remained unwavering. Politics, in fact, has been a lifelong passion for him. In 1998, driven by a de- sire to organize and mobilize the Indian diaspora, Abraham, along with veteran Congress worker John Philipose Theng- umcherry, founded the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) in the United States. At the time, there was no comparable global platform for Congress supporters abroad. The initiative gained momen- tum when the late Oommen Chandy visited the United States, providing the occasion for its formal launch. The organization grew steadily, and in 2001 it received official recognition at a landmark event in NewYork attended by senior national leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Nat- war Singh, and Murli Deora. Today, the IOC has evolved into a well-established global network spanning more than 30 countries, currently led by Sam Pitroda as Chairman. George Abraham presently serves as Vice-Chairman of IOC USA and Global Coordinator of its IT and Social Media wing. In recognition of his decades of service, he was conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by Rahul Gandhi dur- ing the latter’s visit to NewYork in 2023. Abraham’s political grounding, how- ever, began much earlier. As a teenager, he was actively involved with the All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam, a youth organization under the aegis of Malayala Manorama, where he served as State Treasurer in 1967. He credits the late Pala K.M. Mathew whom he regards as his mentor for shap- ing his early political and social con- sciousness. Reflecting on the broader role of the Indian diaspora, Abraham emphasizes the importance of safeguarding India’s democratic and secular values. “It is es- sential that we uphold the democratic and secular fabric of India. Without that, the nearly 35 million Indians living abroad would have little moral standing when ad- vocating for justice, equality, and religious freedom globally,” he notes. For Abraham, returning home to vote is more than participation, it is a reaf- firmation of identity, responsibility, and belief in the enduring promise of India’s democracy. By IOC-USA Letter To The Editor: A Lifelong Commitment: George AbrahamReturns To Vote In Kerala Will We Change Before Nature Forces Us To? A lot has been talked about Earth’s energy imbal- ance in the last few years. However with the climate change phenomena in the form of rising temperatures, declining arctic sea ice, extreme weather events, heat waves, floods, droughts, stronger storms and hurricanes and so on.. it can be clearly said that the earth is out of balance. In layman’s language it can be said that earth is having a fever, but it’s not clear as to how bad the fever is. Like a patient in a hospital, earth’s vital parameters are being closely monitored by climate scientists. Satellites track the shrinking of gla- ciers, weather stations maintain rainfall readings, buoys measure deep ocean temperatures, aircraft monitor levels of atmospheric gases. Climate change and global warming are sometimes thought of as things that will happen in the future. But scientists are finding increasing evidence that the planet is changing now , and that people must take a large share of the blame for this phenomenon. They further explain that excessive carbon emissions through industrial, vehicular pollution, use of CFCs and plundering of forests and natural resources have depleted the ozone layer. This has trapped more and more of solar radiation inside the earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the earth is heating up which has begun to trigger a chain of natural upheav- als like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides in recent times. We all are very well aware about the fact that nature in her mother form has served man from the beginning of human life on this planet, hence one cannot imag- ine human existence without support of nature. Like a caring mother, nature gives us the food that nourishes and sustains our bodies as also water that cleanses and gives us life. It also provides fresh air to supply us with oxygen, which is vital to keep bodily functions going. It also provides materials,from hay, firewood and timber to rubber, gum, minerals and countless other things,that have made our lives easier. When one thinks about how much humanity is still served by nature in spite of man’s depredations that have brought about the phenomenon of climate change, one begins to wonder how marvellous nature must have been in its original, unpolluted state. Descriptions made in scriptures about the Golden Age speak of a time when the land yielded food without the peasants having to toil as today. Trees yielded abundant fruits, and crop disease and famine were unheard of. Agriculture at that time did not require heavy investment in terms of labour or inputs such as fertilisers, pesti- cides, herbicides etc. Nor was it dependent on irrigation systems, since the soil was fertile and produced bounti- ful harvests, and all the water required was provided by rains, which never failed. Even human bodies, which are made of the five elements, were perfect in that age & hence disease, deformity and debility were unknown to humans of that time. So, then what caused man to descend from such a period of bliss to the present times of natural chaos?When man fell from divine virtues and came under the influence of lust, anger, greed, attach- ment and ego, his relationship with himself, with others and with nature changed. Instead of revering her as an ever bestowing mother, he started to exploit her to meet his insatiable desires. Now, when she can take no more, nature is revolting through such calamities, causing mas- sive loss to life and property, which is resulting in great human suffering. Years of research made by environmental scientists have proven that human consciousness plays a very vital role in shaping the environment. The point to be noted here is that human nature influences and creates external nature or the environment. The environmental pollution that we see today is actually seeded in mental pollution. This also means that if humans return to their original nature of peace, purity and love and connect to them- selves, each other and nature through it, the environment would automatically get restored to its original harmony. But for this transition to take place, a great cleansing process needs to be set in motion. Taking cue from the world scenario, it is high time that humans endeavour to connect themselves to their original nature of purity and peace. This would help them in treating others and the environment with love and dignity and make them obedient to natural laws. However, if humans continue with their present ways, nature will take it upon itself to set things right and restore the planet’s ecological balance and bring earth back to its original, pure and bountiful state, once again ushering in the Golden Age where man and nature will exist in com- plete harmony. But, do we really need mother nature to turn so furious? Can’t we show some affection towards our mother who has given us so much ? Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji is a writer and spiritual educator who has written for publications in India,Nepal & UK. By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji PHOTO:courtesycalhealthrepo rt.org PHOTO:GEORGE ABRAHAM,IOC-USA George Abraham of IOC-USA, holding up proof of his voting in Kerala elections