Author: Mabel Roy

Shomik Chaudhuri’s Some Whispers From Eternity Wins Prestigious 2025 Nautilus Book Award

Mabel RoyCulture, Religion 0

May 23, 2025– Author Shomik Chaudhuri’s book, Some Whispers From Eternity, has been honored with the 2025 Nautilus Book Award under the category Religion / Spirituality of Eastern Thought (Silver). This accolade adds to the book’s growing list of recognitions, including the 2024 International Impact Book Award, 2025 Titan Book Award, and 2025 The BookFest Award. The Nautilus Awards, known for recognizing books about societal and environmental justice, have previously honored luminaries such as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Han.

In his book, Chaudhuri addresses the deep divisions plaguing modern society—religious strife, racial and national conflicts, and the fading of kindness and compassion in an increasingly divided world. He observes how humanity has fragmented itself along artificial lines, religion, caste, creed, and nationality leading to perpetual discord. In such a world, self-improvement, introspection, and spiritual growth often take a backseat. Chaudari authored the book based on some of his real life experiences, witnessing the lack of empathy, compassion and concern people have for each other in society. He offers time-tested and authentic methods and ideas to help individuals evolve into better, more compassionate human beings. The book works as a guide to transformation, providing techniques that enhance concentration, patience, emotional balance, physical well-being, and overall life satisfaction.

The book’s central premise is that spirituality should be made an integral part of daily life, and it’s not an abstract concept reserved solely for monks. Chaudhuri’s message is urgent yet hopeful: real change starts within. By turning inward, readers can cultivate a deeper relationship with the Divine—transforming not just themselves but the world around them.

Visit https://www.nautilusbookawards.com/copy-of-2024-winners-21-29 to learn more.

About the Author:

With over 30 years as an author, Shomik Chaudhuri’s writings have been featured in prestigious publications such as The Statesman, The Asian Age, United Nations Chronicle, and various Indian American newspapers like News India Times and Desi Talk. At just 25, he became the youngest person in United Nations history to represent the organization at the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen.

He co-founded an NGO at the UN that introduced spirituality as a key aspect of human development, influencing global policy. Today, he leads another international NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC, with branches in New York and Europe. A lifelong practitioner of Kriya Yoga for over four decades, Chaudhuri was initiated into OM Kriya Yoga by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajivlochanacharya in 1999.

GOPIO Voices Strong Opposition to Proposed 5% Tax on Immigrant Remittances

Mabel RoyCommunity 0

New York, NY – The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) issued a statement strongly objecting to a proposed 5% tax on remittance by immigrants to their home countries, a measure included in The Republican tax and health plan currently under consideration in Congress. The organization argues that the tax unfairly targets immigrants, many of whom are already contributing significantly through existing taxes.

House Republicans are pushing forward with a vote this week on a sweeping legislative package that includes President Trump’s second-term agenda, featuring tax cuts, border security measures, and defense priorities. However, divisions within the GOP have cast doubt on the bill’s passage. To rally support, President Trump personally met with House Republicans on Tuesday, urging them to back the legislation.

The bill is scheduled to go before the House Rules Committee today, where any last-minute amendments could be introduced. Key Republican representatives, including Rep. Roy and Rep. Norman—both members of the Rules Committee—could pose a final hurdle. If the bill clears the committee, a full House vote is expected on Thursday, May 22, right before lawmakers adjourn for the Memorial Day recess.

GOPIO has raised several concerns about the proposed 5% tax, arguing that it disproportionately affects immigrants who are already fulfilling their tax obligations. Many immigrants in the U.S. on work visas (such as H-1B, L-1, and diplomatic visas) earn wages that are already subject to federal, state, and local taxes. These remittances are made from after-tax income, meaning that imposing an additional 5% levy amounts to double taxation.

“GOPIO believes that if a study were conducted, it would show that such additional tax on remittances would primarily affect low-income families disproportionately because most remittances are to families who depend on the immigrant for financial support,” said Prakash Shah, President of GOPIO.

Furthermore, the tax would also burden international students (F-1 visa holders) and exchange visitors (J-1 visa holders) who rely on remittances to repay education loans taken in their home countries. Since many of these individuals do not qualify for U.S. bank loans, they depend on overseas financial support, making the additional 5% tax an undue hardship.

Another major concern is that the tax could push immigrants toward resorting to unregulated channels, such as cryptocurrency held in digital wallets to remit the funds overseas, to avoid the extra cost. This could lead to a loss of transparency in cross-border financial flows and potentially increase illegal transactions.

GOPIO urges immigrant communities—particularly Indian Americans and other diaspora groups—to contact their elected representatives and voice opposition to the proposed tax. If passed, the bill would move to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

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