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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh Founder, Chairman & Publisher Ilayas Quraishi Chief Operating Officer Ela Dutt Editor Archana Adalja Contributing Editor T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman Advisor Arun Shah Ahmedabad Bureau Chief Peter Ferreira, Deval Parikh, Freelance Photographers Bhailal M. Patel Executive Vice President Jim Gallentine Business Development Manager - U.S. Shahnaz Sheikh Senior Manager Advertising & Marketing Sonia Lalwani Advertising Manager Shailu Desai Advertising New York Muslima Shethwala Syed Sheeraz Mahmood Advertising Chicago Digant Sompura Consultant for Business Development Ahmedabad, India Hervender Singh Circulation Manager Main Office Editorial & Corporate Headquarters 1655 Oak Tree Toad, Suite 155 Edison, NJ 08820-2843 Tel. (212) 675-7515 Fax. (212) 675-7624 New York Office Tel: (718) 784-8555 E-mails editor@newsindiatimes.com advertising@newsindia-times.com subscription@newsindia-times.com Website www.newsindiatimes.com Chicago Office 8846 Lavergne Ave, Skokie, IL 60077 Tel. (773) 856-3345 California Office 650 Vermont Ave, Suite #46 Anaheim, CA 92805 Mumbai Office Nikita Ajay Pai Goregaon, West Mumbai Ahmedabad Office 303 Kashiparekh Complex C.G. Road, 29 Adarsh Society Ahmedabad 380009 Tel. 26446947 F ax. 26565596 Published weekly, Founded in 1975. The views expressed on the opinion pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of News India Times. Copyright © 2026, News India Times News India Times (ISSN 0199-901X) is published every Friday by Parikh Worldwide Media LLC., 1655 Oak Tree Toad, Suite 155 Edison, NJ 08820-2843 Periodicals postage paid at Newark, N.J. , and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address change to News India Times, 1655 Oak Tree Toad, Suite 155 Edison, NJ 08820-2843 Annual Subscription: United States: $28 Disclaimer: Parikh Worldwide Media assumes no liability for claims/ assumptions made in advertisements and advertorials. 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. Opinion News India Times (May 16, 2026 - May 22, 2026) May 22, 2026 3 There Is No Home Like A Conscious Home, And No Family Like Humanity Here Are The Undergraduate Programs That Pay Off (And Some That Don’t) - Continued On Page 4 T here is a familiar song many of us have heard, perhaps in childhood or at some quiet moment of reflection: “Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” These simple words, written long ago by American actor and dramatist John Howard Payne, still echo across time because they touch something universal within us. No matter how far we travel, how much we achieve, or how many places we explore, the idea of “home” continues to hold a special place in our hearts. Yet, when we pause and reflect, especially on occasions like International Day of Families, an honest question arises: what does home truly represent today? And are we nurturing it in the way it deserves? If we look around, we see that the concept of family has undergone a profound transformation. In some parts of the world, traditional systems still exist, but at times they become so rigid that they suppress individuality, restrict freedom, and create emotional suffocation. Practices that deny choice or dignity, especially for women, leave deep scars that travel across generations. At the same time, in more modern and individual- istic societies, another imbalance appears; relationships have become fragile, families fragmented, and loneliness has quietly settled into people’s lives. Children are growing up without a sense of emotional security, and elders are feeling increasingly disconnected. In many regions, in evolving societies, economic pressures and changing priorities are slowly loosening the bonds that once held extended families together. Yet, despite all these differences, one truth remains unchanged - the longing for a lov- ing, safe, and meaningful home never disappears. Amidst all these changing definitions, a deeper concept that deserves attention, is that of a conscious home. Such a home is not defined by wealth, structure, or status, but by the quality of energy that flows within it. It is a space where fear does not dominate, where communication is honest, and where respect is natural rather than forced. In such an environment, each in- dividual feels ‘seen’, ‘heard’, ‘valued’, and ‘free to grow’. Whether one draws inspiration from spiritual traditions, cultural values, or simple human sensitivity, the essence remains the same - a home rooted in awareness, balance, and compassion. A truly nurturing home allows diversity within unity. It respects individuality without breaking the collective bond. It encourages aspirations while maintaining a sense of shared responsibility. It does not impose control, yet it does not drift into neglect either. Instead, it creates a subtle discipline based on understanding rather than authority. In such a space, love is not loud, but it is deeply present. And from this presence, a quiet strength emerges , one that supports each member and gently extends outwards into society. It is from such homes that emotionally secure and responsible individuals emerge. These are people who are not driven only by personal gain, but who carry a natural inclination to contribute. They develop the capacity to empathize, to cooperate, and to rise above differences. In a time where division is often ampli- fied, either through media, opinions, or identities, such indi- viduals become silent anchors of harmony. They do not need to preach peace; they embody it. If we truly reflect, the foundation of a peaceful world does not lie in policies or systems alone. It begins in the subtle atmo- sphere of each home. When homes become spaces free from violence, judgment, and emotional neglect, society automati- cally begins to transform. It is not about which part of the world we belong to, every culture carries both strengths and limita- tions. So, instead of comparing or criticizing, perhaps the wiser approach is to learn, to absorb the best from every tradition, and to refine our own way of living. As we move forward in this interconnected world, there is a need to expand our sense of identity. This does not mean aban- doning our culture, values, or heritage. These are precious and worth preserving. But it does mean not becoming so confined within them that we lose our connection with the larger human family. When identity becomes a bridge rather than a barrier, relationships begin to heal. Perhaps the real invitation today is very simple i.e to see the world itself as an extended home. To treat people not as strangers, but as fellow members of one human family. This may not create a perfect world overnight, but it creates the right direction. And when enough homes begin to nurture awareness, respect, and genuine care, the ripple effect is inevitable. Because in the end, a peaceful world is not built in one moment, it is shaped quietly - one home, one relationship, one heart at a time. Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji is a writ- er and spiritual educator who has written for publications in India,Nepal & UK. A fter years of public debate about the value of higher educa- tion, a study of nearly 1 million undergraduates provides fresh evidence that going to college pays off financially for most students. But the report released Thursday found that the benefits depend greatly on the type of degree, major, quality of the institutions, demographics of the stu- dents and whether students complete the programs. The biggest payoffs for students seek- ing bachelor’s degrees occurred in engi- neering and architecture, business and economics, and security and protective services degrees. Liberal arts, recreation and fitness studies, and social sciences students saw the lowest returns among the categories included in the report. “There’s enormous variation,” said Stig Leschly, president of the Postsecondary Commission, which undertook the study and is seeking federal recognition to accredit colleges. The commission hired Mathematica, a research firm based in New Jersey, to help analyze the data. The study also found students who pursued a bachelor’s degree gained more in earnings than they spent on school within 15 years, regardless of their major. The report backs up what educa- tion leaders have been saying for years: College graduates generally earn more than people who never make it past high school. But commission leaders said this research is more detailed than many past studies. For this analysis, research- ers compared students who enrolled in various college programs to those who didn’t and tracked how each group fared By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji By ToddWallack PHOTO:PROVIDED