What to do?

All through the past ten days or so, we have been experiencing hospitality Indian style. Others we spoke with before our arrival told us stories about the people we would meet, about the foods we would try, and in general, tried to prepare us for this experience of a lifetime.

Conversations have taken place in minivans, around various tables, and in other places. We have certainly been marked by the poverty we have seen, the crowds we have experienced, and the fables and tales of glories and riches of days of yore.

Yet the question remains ... what can be done about the millions who earn only 20 rupies a day (the average income for people in India, equivalent to about 50 cents)? Perhaps the most sage response is found in a line from Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the captain of the star ship Enterprise. One of the repeating themes in the Star Trek series is a reminder that when the crew encounters an alien species and knows that they need help, they want to do all they can to make things right, but the prime directive does not allow them to interfere to the extent that they would possibly change the course of history.

We too must respect a prime directive. We can do what we can to help in small ways, but the truth of the matter is that when all is said and done, the world's second most populous nation must make its way, building on the strengths it possesses and recognizing the areas in which it is challenged to grow.

Visitors who are made aware of the plights of individuals here can perhaps help in small ways, but we should never try to impose a value system or a way of life that is ours, for this might be detrimental in the long run.