Although madrasas educate only between 2-4% of Muslim children and youth, they need to modernize their curriculum and move away from Islamic centric or Islamic-only education to a holistic approach that enables these students to integrate fully into Indian society, writes Frank Islam for South Asia Monitor. Eminent columnist Swaminathan A Aiyar called upon Wakf boards and wealthy Muslims to finance the development of “a string of world-class education institutions” that would … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
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The Great Society. One Time A Great Notion. Some Day A Great Nation.
“Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat “I don’t much care where,” said Alice “Then, it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.” -Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Unlike Alice in Wonderland, many Americans, know where they want to go. They want to make America great. The problem is that what constitutes greatness and the way to get there differs substantially depending on … [Read more...]
Trump vs Biden: Impact of American Elections
On November 3, Americans will decide whether to give another four years to Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, or to give the Oval Office to former vice-president Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate. Their collective decision will impact the world, and India in particular. The US election is being held in an atmosphere of deep polarisation, arguably not seen since the Civil War more than a century and a half ago. Opinion polls reveal that the majority of Americans have made up … [Read more...]
The Precipitous Decline of America’s Social Capital in the 21st Century
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. — New York City Post Office Social capital is the glue that holds the American democracy and civil society together. In this twenty first century, America’s social capital has declined precipitously and the country is coming unglued. The United States Postal Service has been an essential part of this country’s glue. Its responsibility, in this regard, is … [Read more...]
For Strategic Reasons, India Must Deepen Defense Ties With the US
With India hoping to meet most of its defense needs locally, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the US and its companies are ideally positioned to be the best partners and allies for India in that campaign. Over the past 15 years, ties between India and the United States (US) have scaled new heights in almost every imaginable area. The annual bilateral trade in goods and services today is in the region of $150 billion. The two countries are now … [Read more...]
Promoting economic recovery in response to COVID-19
A recently published Congressional Research Service report on the ‘Global Economic Effects of Covid-19 states:”Estimatesso far indicate the virus could trim global economic growth by 3.0% to 6.0% in 2020, with a partial recovery in 2021, assuming there is not a second wave of infections,” The report warns ofheavy human costs in terms of ‘lives lost’, rising levels of poverty, derailed careers and increased social unrest. It projects that, global trade could drop by 13% to 32% and especially … [Read more...]
India should resist aligning with the US on China
Even though New Delhi and Washington have become closer strategic partners, especially in the past two decades, India has never openly aligned with the United States on China, despite US pressure to do so, writes Frank Islam for South Asia Monitor US President Donald Trump has issued two executive orders restricting Chinese social media networks TikTok and WeChat, on the grounds that they pose significant national security threats to the United States. These executive actions set a 45-day … [Read more...]
American Workers Need Employment Benefits
What is needed at this time is a massive and targeted jobs bill. The goal for that bill should be: To put American Workers back to meaningful work in full-time jobs in as short a time frame as possible. The jobs bill should be thought of as an employment benefits bill and an alternative to unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are definitely necessary as transitional tools. They are not job creators, however, and do not restore the dignity that only a job can provide. … [Read more...]
Time to Assist Micro- and Nonemployer Businesses
[This blog is based upon findings from research into small business related COVID-19 assistance. For the full report presenting the findings based upon that research, visit this link.] The economic impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for most American businesses. It has been especially so for small businesses. This is an existential problem because small businesses are the heart and soul of the American economy. If many of them disappear due to the coronavirus, it will greatly … [Read more...]
Service to Country: The Enduring Call of John F. Kennedy
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Those words spoken by President John F. Kennedy nearly six decades ago at his inauguration on January 20, 1961 have inspired generations and millions of Americans to serve their country. I am among them. President Kennedy has inspired others through his deeds as well as his words. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor for his heroic actions after the sinking of his PT 109 boat during … [Read more...]