we have spent the past two days on field visits to NGO's that work in the slums of delhi on issues ranging from health to education. though delhi slums are not like i would imagine (they are more equivelant to "projects" in urban areaaas of the US, than the shanty-towns we would picture at first), they certainly help to put one's life in perspective and to be grateful for what we have. it always fascinates me how we delude oursleves in thinking that we can really make a difference. we are but band-aids on the bigger problems.
but on th eother side of "development" is that fact that even though we as a class of fellows trying to survive on an indian salary (which aint that much) are hitting the bars tonight. we dont have to worry about puttin gfood on the table for our kids or wonder if we will be able to get work tomorrow. we will never know what it feels like to live that life day-to-day. but i for one dont feel guilty about the priviliges that i have had. i am grateful and know how fleeting power and privilage is, but in the same token i would revel in it's comforts while i can. would any of the people in the slums turn down the opportunity if they had the access to it?
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How can you live with yourself!!! You should be ashamed wasting money on booze while people are starving!!!!
Ok - I was kidding. The trick to living in the third world is to not be on a perpetual guilt trip. Poverty is like quicksand - you can't step into it and pull people out. You have to spend your time building stronger foundations for yourself, ensuring your own survival and gathering some rope so you can actually make a difference. Do I sound like an elitist? Maybe to some - but that's the reality I grew up with - deal with it.
Ameet
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