Feeling Rather Pensive.

just came back from Mysore and had lunch. i have to get these thoughts down.

first of all, i've been in a bit of a daze all day, and people have noticed. my friend KJS asked if i was OK because i was looking so pensive. here are a few of the things that have been bothering me and gotten my wheels turning:

first, the juxtaposition of modernity/affluence and poverty here in Mysore is painfully evident. next to, in front of and behind many highly developed and modern government buildings, temples, mosques, hotels and private residences, there are shacks, huts, broken down buildings clearly neglected and in severe need of repair, and poor roads. case in point: on the way back to campus we passed a gorgeous mansion on one side of the road. clearly a private residence, granite and stucco facing on the exterior, about 3 floors, open archways and no doubt a courtyard inside.

then about a quarter mile down the same road, on the other side, a straw hut. the entire thing had been thatched together by hand. the hut stood in isolation just as much as the private residence, and it stood out just as much, but the stark contrast between the 2 structures was overwhelming.

related to this demonstration of extremities, i've noticed that the development in Mysore and surrounding area is ridiculously sporadic. factories and upscale restaurants in the middle of nowhere on fairly isolated and underdeveloped roads, and a high-end, classy sari shop hiding a world of poverty in the residential blocks behind it.

then there are the people. today we went to 3 places: the first was a temple at the top of a hill 1000 meters above sea level, then shopping for about 30 minutes, then Mysore Palace. when we got to the temple and got off the bus, we were immediately accosted on all sides by people asking for money and trying to sell stuff to us. we were warned by our local guide before getting off the bus that this would happen, and that we shouldn't accept or buy anything. now i understand what he's saying, but what really gets me is the extreme poverty in which these people are living and how they are so desperate to do whatever it takes to get ahead, if even by a millimeter. i want so badly to help these people who have known nothing but poverty their whole lives. the children are walking around trying to sell their wares, or asking for food / money. we found that as soon as they asked in English if we had anything and we responded in English that no, we didn't, they would latch on and not let go of us. their persistence really does amaze me. but if they asked in English if we had anything, and we responded in some other language - say Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian or Greek - then they would give up and go off in search of someone else to accost.

we encountered the same kind of begging and pushing everywhere we went, and really it's hard to keep saying No firmly to so many people, old and young alike. but things go deeper than that. just handing them a few rupees - to me just a dime or two - wouldn't make a difference to me, that's clear, but my question is: would it really make a difference to them? would the money be used to feed and clothe the family, to buy more goods to sell, or would it be squandered? i doubt it would be wasted, considering the value of money - especially the US dollar here in Mysore - but really, this is not the way to empower people to take charge of their lives and realize their full potential. the system in place right now of making or buying small goods and trinkets for cheap and selling them for slightly more is the trade equivalent of subsistence farming - you make enough to barely get by, and only with very careful and controlled spending can you improve your financial lot. but instead of just throwing money at someone when they beg for it, what if we could teach them something instead?

to that end, our guide today informed us that the government of Mysore has set up a free education system for anyone under the age of 16. so there you go. the problem has a solution. but remember the old adage: "you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." do these impoverished masses recognize the value of education? they can get it for free. if not the adults, then at least the children. they can do something with that education! they can go places, be something, and gain the wherewithal with which to improve their condition and that of their families. the only problem is, there is still a huge amount of ignorance with respect to the value and importance of an education.

this is why i don't feel bad saying no to poor hungry kids who ask for money. granted it's not their fault, but they have opportunities that their families need to realize would behoove them to take advantage of. the challenge to eliminating poverty is eliminating the impoverished mindset, which is that getting by on handouts means you're doing well. it doesn't. it means you're barely surviving, and that you're going to die in the same poor condition, and that more importantly, you're leaving for your children and grandchildren the exact condition for them to live in all their lives.

sigh.