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cover of episode Creating a Legacy of Hope: Dr. Abraham George on Educating India’s Underrepresented | EP 550

Creating a Legacy of Hope: Dr. Abraham George on Educating India’s Underrepresented | EP 550

2024/12/24
logo of podcast Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Passion Struck with John R. Miles
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Abraham George: 我毕生的工作都致力于解决贫困问题，而这不仅仅是饥饿，还包括苦难和社会地位的低下。即使是铅中毒这样的城市问题，最终受害最深的也是贫困人口。我在喜马拉雅山服役的经历，以及阅读施韦策和罗素的著作，让我决定将人生的一部分奉献于服务他人。我在美国的工作是为了积累资金，最终实现服务他人的目标。我选择在50岁之前开始从事慈善事业，是因为我应该兑现自己服务他人的承诺，并且积累的资金已经足够。我建议那些想追求理想但担心资金不足的人，应该尽早开始，并通过行动和努力获得他人的支持。印度有70%的人口属于低种姓，其中一半以上的人口每日家庭收入不足5美元。经济赋权是打破社会歧视的有效途径，而优质教育是赋权的最佳方式。美国存在阶级制度和种族偏见，而印度则存在延续数百年的种姓制度，这使得低种姓的人面临更严重的社会经济差距。创办 Shanti Bhavan 的挑战在于克服当地根深蒂固的贫困和种姓歧视。Shanti Bhavan 的目标是让孩子们相信种姓制度是压迫他人的产物，从而建立自信和自尊。将孩子们视为自己的孩子，并建立家庭般的关系，有助于他们的成功。Shanti Bhavan 的教育模式包含三个支柱：卓越的教育、领导力培养和人道主义价值观的塑造。让男孩和女孩一起生活学习，可以培养他们之间的相互尊重和平等意识。2008年金融危机导致我损失了大量个人财富，但我并没有放弃，而是通过继续筹款和精简运营维持了项目的运转。金融危机后，我将项目转变为由社区共同支持的模式，增强了项目的可持续性。建议那些想创建可持续性非营利组织的人，应该尽早寻求资金合作伙伴，并通过行动证明自己的承诺。克服创办Shanti Bhavan过程中遇到的基础设施不足等系统性问题，需要耐心、创造力和逐步解决问题的策略。Shanti Bhavan 的毕业生取得的成功，证明了优质教育能够改变贫困儿童的人生轨迹。Shanti Bhavan 的成功关键在于培养员工的文化和使命感，从而为孩子们创造积极的成长环境。Shanti Bhavan 的毕业生不仅改变了自己的生活，也通过帮助他人，对社区和社会产生了积极影响。建议人们通过行动来表达同情心，即使是小小的帮助也能产生巨大的影响。我创办的新闻学院和医疗中心，与 Shanti Bhavan 的使命相互补充，共同致力于解决系统性贫困和不平等问题。我所做的所有工作都与解决贫困问题相关联，即使看似不直接相关的项目，最终也能惠及贫困人口。我个人并不关心我的名声，我更希望 Shanti Bhavan 等机构能够持续存在，并对人们的生活产生积极的影响。 John R. Miles: 作为主持人，John R. Miles 主要负责引导访谈，提出问题，并对 Abraham George 的经历和观点进行总结和回应。他展现出对印度社会现状和 Shanti Bhavan 项目的深入了解，并与 Abraham George 展开深入的探讨，例如关于种姓制度、贫困、教育和社会变革等议题。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did Dr. Abraham George choose a remote village with rampant poverty to establish Shanti Bhavan?

Dr. George chose a remote village to ensure the school targeted those most in need. Over 60-70% of the population in these villages belonged to the lower caste, and he aimed to transform their lives through education.

Why does Dr. George emphasize the importance of educating girls in his mission?

Educating girls is central because it has a multiplier effect. Empowered girls grow up to educate their own families and communities, leading to broader societal transformation.

How did Dr. George overcome the lack of infrastructure in the rural areas where Shanti Bhavan is located?

Dr. George tackled infrastructure challenges one by one. He installed solar power, dug deep wells for water, and even built a tarred road when the government failed to do so, ensuring the school could function sustainably.

What is the moral duty that Dr. George instills in Shanti Bhavan graduates?

Shanti Bhavan graduates are taught to help at least 100 others in their lifetime, regardless of blood relations. They are encouraged to contribute to society and the world at large, extending the impact of their education.

How does Dr. George define legacy and what does he hope for Shanti Bhavan's future?

For Dr. George, legacy means leaving behind institutions that will last for hundreds of years, transforming lives and bringing joy to those who have suffered. He hopes to see the mission carried forward with the help of millions of others.

Why does Dr. George believe that empowering the underclass economically is essential to breaking social discrimination?

Economic empowerment through education is crucial because it gives people the means to break out of the caste system. Without jobs and training, lower-caste individuals face significant barriers in society, including restricted access to education and basic services.

What advice does Dr. George give to those who want to create a sustainable nonprofit but lack initial funding?

Dr. George advises finding a partnership with someone who has money or joining an existing NGO. He emphasizes the importance of creating infrastructure and showing early results to attract donors and build a community of support.

How has the Netflix documentary 'Daughters of Destiny' impacted Shanti Bhavan and Dr. George's mission?

The documentary, filmed over seven years, brought significant attention and credibility to Shanti Bhavan. It won an Emmy Award and helped attract more donors, strengthening the school's financial and social impact.

Chapters
Dr. Abraham George's journey from a young lieutenant in the Indian Army stationed in the Himalayas to a successful career in global finance is explored. His time in the Himalayas sparked a desire for service, influencing his later philanthropic work. The chapter details his educational pursuits at NYU and his decision to leave finance to pursue his passion for social change.
  • Dr. George's military service in the Himalayas shaped his worldview and commitment to service.
  • He pursued higher education at NYU, aiming to build financial resources for his future philanthropic work.
  • After a successful career in finance, he sold his company to pursue social change in India at the age of 50.

Shownotes Transcript

In this inspiring episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Abraham George, a visionary philanthropist and founder of the Shanti Bhavan Residential School. For over two decades, Shanti Bhavan has been a beacon of hope, providing free, world-class education to children from India’s most marginalized communities. By breaking cycles of poverty and empowering students to attend top universities like Stanford and Dartmouth, Dr. George is transforming lives and creating generational change.

Featured in the acclaimed Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny, Dr. George’s impact extends far beyond education. From eliminating leaded gasoline in India to advancing healthcare and social justice initiatives, his work exemplifies what it means to align purpose with action. In this conversation, we explore how his journey—from the Indian Army to global finance and back to grassroots change in India—serves as a blueprint for making a lasting difference.

Link to the full show notes:  https://passionstruck.com/dr-abraham-george-how-to-create-a-legacy-of-hope/)

Call to Action: From providing world-class education to India’s most marginalized children through Shanti Bhavan to driving impactful public health and social justice reforms, Dr. George exemplifies how aligning your actions with your values can create generational change.

This episode will resonate deeply with anyone passionate about breaking barriers, empowering others, and leaving a legacy of hope. It’s a call to action to harness your passions, take bold steps, and make a meaningful impact in your own life and the lives of others.

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In this episode, you will learn:

  • The Power of Education to Break Cycles of Poverty: Dr. Abraham George shares how Shanti Bhavan provides free, world-class education to children from marginalized communities, creating generational change.
  • Why Educating Girls is Central to Societal Transformation: Dr. George explains the multiplier effect of empowering young women through education and its impact on entire communities.
  • Overcoming Systemic Challenges with Purpose and Resilience: Learn how Dr. George navigates entrenched issues like caste discrimination and poverty to create lasting social impact.
  • Fostering a Family-Like Environment for Success: Discover how Shanti Bhavan goes beyond academics, offering students emotional support and healing from trauma, which contributes to their success.
  • The Ripple Effect of Empowered Graduates: Hear inspiring stories of Shanti Bhavan graduates who are driving social change and uplifting their communities.
  • Building a Legacy of Hope: Dr. George reflects on the character traits and values that have guided his journey and how his work will continue to impact future generations.

Connect with Dr. Abraham George: https://www.shantibhavanchildren.org/)

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