Inherent Optimism
In all of my travels, from Mexico to China, I have yet to witness the immense level of poverty and complete lack of a middle class as I experienced in April’s trip to Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra of India. Not once in 9 days of traveling the world’s most populated country on earth did I discover evidence of a quaint 1,000 square-foot home with a lovely green lawn. Rather, I saw endless trash in front of commercial enterprises; bulls, camels, and monkeys walking free in the streets; lean-tos and flimsy tents off the highways; and small, unsupervised children selling trinkets to make ends meet. And yet, in the midst of such pauperization, I met some of the happiest, most optimistic people on the planet.
How could that be? A few personal observations: 1) Indians are hard workers; 2) Indians live in large families; 3) Indians consider poverty a small price to pay for democracy. They look forward to a bright future chosen by the people with limited government control. Put it all together? Indians hold on to universal values and look forward to a bright future of freedom and prosperity by choice. It may take them a long time, but it’s their time to make their own future.
How can we emulate such optimism in Madison County?
More India pictures from my travels on
