The author of “Freedom at Midnight” and “City of Joy” says that the future of India is in education. With this in mind, he has set up fifteen school projects in different areas of Bengal, so that the underprivileged children have an opportunity in their lives.
The author says that individuals (if they are committed) can make a difference in the lives of the downtrodden. They can make a difference by providing (targeted) funds, and by helping people to change their lives. They do not have to leave everything to the United Nations, or to the government. The author says that they have to go out in the field to make an impact. Just by sitting in air-conditioned offices, filling forms and recording statistics (as government officials do) will not help their cause. But for this, they must be motivated. It was only after he had met Mother Teresa in 1981 that the author decided to start his first project. The author wishes that – along with foreigners – many more Indians were involved.
The author says that India (as a whole) is doing well. The roads are better, the telephone system has improved, and there is more power available. But there are millions of people who still do not have access to basic amenities. Their quality of life leaves much to be desired. The author says that huge buildings have come up where there used to be slums. But the slum dwellers cannot afford to pay the rent, and they have shifted to new slums further away from the city. Ironically, as basic amenities (power, water supply and hygiene) are provided to a locality, the rent increases threefold; and as the poor cannot afford to pay, they have to move.
Besides education, the author has also started four boat hospitals to provide medical aid to the poorest of the poor. In conclusion, the author says that he just does not want to be remembered as a best-selling author – he wanted to do something to make the lives of ordinary people better. This is the dilemma he had faced as a journalist; and he believes that he has struck the right balance in his life.
More summaries about the Article: Mission Possible