Friday, September 10, 2010

Philanthropy

While I was reading the newspaper today, I came across this article about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet going to China to host a dinner for the billionaires. Their purpose? To persuade the Chinese to give back to the society. Philanthropy has been a topic pretty close to my heart. Somehow or other, I feel connected to the poor. Maybe its because of my grandparents.

So here I am today, to advocate philanthropism. Firstly, we all should note of the society we come from. I was born in India (Delhi) and came to Singapore when I was 2. Yet, I can say I 40% Indian, 40% Singaporean and 20% international. Indian because of my parents and relatives of course; Singaporean because of my education; and international because of the diversity of my friends and my annual visits to some part of the world. I am a mixture of all these societies and if anything, I owe them for what I am. They have moulded me into the creature I am today (and of course I am partially satisfied of who I am - its never good to be full satisfied, you stop progressing I guess). The community around us plays a big part in everyone's upbringing. So if I make it big one day, I have to return back to the society I come from because they have had a hand in whatever I become of tomorrow.

Naturally, you should develop your own community so that one day, even they can contribute back to the same community and continue the cycle. That's what Thanksgiving is all about. Anthony Robbins always cites his story about someone leaving food on his doorsteps while he was young, on Thanksgiving day, and how he felt so touched by that act of gratitude. Today, every Thanksgiving, he sends out hordes of presents to the underprivileged in hope that one day, they will grow up to be successful and satisfied people.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are my personal heros though. Instead of giving it to their country's citizens, they chose the children of the world to reach out to. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is trying to eradicate numerous widespread diseases in Africa - Malaria being one of them. Both now want others around the world to follow suit as they recognize their wealths alone won't make a lasting impact. All the (filthy) rich people have to join hands together to perpetuate the trend. Then only will we they be able to extend the trend throughout the populations.

Philanthropy is also one of the few ways to build up goodwill between countries, races and religion. Albeit some would only like to contribute to a specific society, if donating does become rampant enough, I foresee world peace as a possible future. Imagine an African child being told how an American made his life. Imagine how and Indian child would feel to realize that a Chinese angel raised him up. How would a Black feel to be cared for by the Whites? Instantly, you start accepting everyone despite of the inherent differences. Philanthropy, in my honest opinion, will make the world a better world.

Yet, many billionaires fear that their critics will detract their efforts or heap anathema upon their virtuous acts. Some poor would not even want to accept the aids given by the wealthy  claiming that the rich got their money through less than ethical means. To such people, I ask, does it matter to them? Are you telling me that you have never done something illegal your whole life? You have never broken a law (intentionally or unintentionally)? Such people have a problem no matter what. They whine when people do good and whine even more when people don't do good. It is best to ignore them as they are nothing more than a barrier to social progress.

So to everyone (not only rich people now), please give back to the society. Make a difference to the world around you. It is good to know that how your time or money can change a person's life. With this, I leave Bill Gates to do the remaining of the convincing:





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