Looking up

The world cannot be defined with one word, the more you observe it, the more you see many things in it. India is a world unto itself from which I have learned to see beyond. Every time I've been lucky enough to go there, I've asked myself questions that I haven't been able to answer. I wondered why entire physically defeated families sleep on dirty sidewalks and – incredibly – smile.

I passed women who were walking through piles of smelly garbage, dancing with elegant steps. Everyone has their own opinion on this part of the world and what happens. When I asked the question of questions: "But what do you think of all this?". The answer has always been evasive. Some people answered me with conviction, others less so.

Maybe some books helped me understand what I was seeing. Shantaram, the novel by Gregory David Roberts was enlightening as was Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle's devastating film. All Tiziano Terzani's books are a revelation. I have always found two distinct positions. One reported a sense of strangeness on the part of the observer, believing that all this was inconceivable. The other path manifested itself in taking charge and seeking a solution to the problem and helping in some way.

The fragility of observing without understanding has made us presumptuous or frighteningly hostile towards others. We trust in the new generations, in the hope that something can change. We do not participate in the change, but as observers on the sidelines we feel progressive, modern, revolutionary. It makes us think: "Well, not me, in my small way I always do my best to help." As if helping were a form of cleansing for our conscience. Because ultimately that world that we observe, from a privileged platform, is also and above all the consequence of what we are, and what we do every day. We have been at least once in our lives the one who explained to others how they should behave or how they should live, without then actually doing what we preach. It takes a long time to change ourselves, let alone change the world, but, sooner or later, we have to start somewhere.


Roberto Cristaudo
NP December 2023