Dear Editor:
Many immigrants come to this country every year and settle here. Many of them are senior citizens who have worked in their native countries. The country where we are born and brought up is our motherland and the country where we settle as immigrants is our Karma Bhumi (land of activities or action.) Everyone has an obligation to his motherland. In the same way, however, there is also an obligation to the new land where we migrated.
Many immigrants have worked for many years in their motherland and have now immigrated in their old age. Those who came to this country before 1996 might be receiving financial aid (S.S.I.). Many are getting NJ Family Care Insurance and enjoying other rights and privileges. I suggest to all those who, by the Grace of God, are healthy and circumstances permit, to consider working as a volunteer in the public sector such as the hospital, library or community center. I believe it’s our moral duty to our community in our new country where we have settled with our families.
It’s my personal observation that it is very rare that such volunteers are found performing their moral duty to their Karma Bhumi. We all know that rights and duties go together. Without duties, you don’t have any rights.
I strongly believe and suggest that we all should take an active part in all the local activities instead of remaining passive. I often see many senior citizens volunteering here in their motherland. Why don’t more of us for whom this is our Karma Bhumi do so also?
Sincerely,
Bhikhubhai A. Patel