Land of opportunity
India, the world’s second-largest country by population and seventh largest by land area (over 90 times the size of Taiwan), is also a land of opportunity.
Li Yi-ching says: “India has changed me. One thing it has taught me is that you have to give everything a try.”
After joining an Indian enterprise, Li discovered that the corporate atmosphere was markedly different from that of a Taiwanese company. In the workplace environment in Taiwan, there is no flexibility from standardized operating procedures. But in Indian firms, if an employee has a good idea, the company will normally be willing to give them a free hand and a chance to try it out.
“I’ve also learned something from the tuk-tuk drivers. If they name a fare ten or 20 rupees over the odds for a trip, and someone is willing to pay it, then they earn more, so why not give it a try?” Perhaps this is a negative lesson, but it very much illustrates the idea in Indian society that when you try there is hope.
Li is now preparing to start her own travel business. “India has given me self-confidence. Don’t think too much, don’t be afraid of failing, just let go and try. If you aren’t successful, so what? At least you tried.”
This kind of opportunity also came to Yu Chih Wei, who back then was a fresh face just entering the world of work. For a reporter in Taiwan to get overseas assignments takes at least ten to 15 years of seniority, but in coming to developing India, Yu was able to find an opportunity that she wasn’t really entitled to at that time. As a rapidly emerging country, India is just the kind of place that provides these kinds of opportunities to people who are willing to follow their dreams.
If you should take a journey to India, perhaps like me you will see India’s poverty, illiteracy, and public health problems. But you will get far more out of it in the way of non-material, spiritual thoughts and feelings.
Yu Chih Wei says that in India she has become a flexible, humorous person. She has found peace of mind, and a stage on which she can stretch herself. Yu, who was considered a little weird in Taiwan, found she was able to express herself freely in India.
Wang Chieh-yu offers this tip for living in India: you should always maintain a skeptical attitude, and see and verify things for yourself.
Li Yi-ching says that India has a magical power that enables you to discover different things of value in yourself.
Cheng Hsin-wei makes a point of practicing daily the art of courageously saying what is on her mind.
And with Wanda Chiu, there’s no need for words—seeing her dance postures, you can feel how confidently she lives in India.
The people of this land exude a calm optimism and generosity of spirit that spring from the idea that one can’t but accept fate.
The people of this land exude a calm optimism and generosity of spirit that spring from the idea that one can’t but accept fate.
The people of this land exude a calm optimism and generosity of spirit that spring from the idea that one can’t but accept fate.
Places where small street vendors gather to ply their trade reveal moments in the daily lives of ordinary people.
Places where small street vendors gather to ply their trade reveal moments in the daily lives of ordinary people.
Places where small street vendors gather to ply their trade reveal moments in the daily lives of ordinary people.
Wanda Chiu’s dance postures betray the self-confidence that she has gained from her life in India. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)