Turning Anger into Opportunity

I would like to delve on a sensitive thread involving my foreign presence. As everyone knew I am from India and living in U.S. for the past two and a half years. As I am living in U.S., many back in India look up to me as someone stationed at a higher plane. From India, I always look up to people living in U.S. with open mouth thinking they are privileged and well-to-do. I should be filling the same bracket for most of the Indians when they look up to me. I am at least trying to retain this status for a long time for a substantial result. In addition, there is an underlying anger, an underlying negativity, an underlying envy which many feel about their circumstances in comparison to me. The simple question ‘why not me?’ ignites in many of them. After living with this status for a long time, I would like to see this anger turn into an opportunity for anyone and everyone. It is an opportunity to go above and beyond to improve their own living conditions, an opportunity to improve their own surroundings, an opportunity to call for action to rise, an opportunity to bring growth and development into their world and an opportunity to feel great and better. If there is any meaning to my actions, the same should transpire on the ground which is the real end result we need to seek after looking at my episode. In short, the developing world need to grow by leaps and bounds fueled by the anger buried within them. The fire needs to burn to set things in motion. 

As an Indian, I myself feel this anger when I imagine being in their shoes. If there is some ordinary person operating in U.S. being visible to everyone, we should not calculate why the life is not the same for all of us. This is because the calculations end up tilting in huge favor towards the person living in U.S. If there is one person living in U.S. who is visible to all, there are 99 others who feel bad about their own conditions. In fact, there is this simmering anger stoking flames within most of the people. This adds a lot of fuel to the fire for combustion. The time is ripe for the engines of the rocket to ignite and take-off for a great flight and reach a new height. While the world is a witness to all the action, the world can also be a witness to this launch to a new, better territory. 

To imagine what can change, we can look at my own surroundings. I am living in Naperville-Aurora area for the last two and a half years. This is a suburb of Chicago and the place is an epitome of human excellence and progress. Most of my action emerged from this place and the same place sustained me for so long. This is because the location has every ingredient for a great living. There are great communities to live, many apartment homes, many schools, many places of worship, many options to shop, many options for entertainment, many parks, many sports complexes, many libraries and almost everything else. For Indians who make up less than 5% of U.S. population, there are as many as 7 Hindu temples in the nearby locations and this is just a suburb. You can pray in a temple on each day for seven days a week. The Swaminarayan temple is an epitome of Indian devotion and excellence and so are many others. There is a great metropolitan mix where people from most of the countries are represented. At the least, we can say there is nothing which is missing in this place to make up for a great living. There is every ingredient available to make a great recipe. This place is the mirror which reflects my action to the world. This place is the canvas upon which I paint and dance.  

My neighborhood’s appeal lies in its high standard of living, family-friendly environment, and strong educational and recreational resources. Its unique combination of economic opportunities, extensive public amenities, and vibrant community outreach make it a standout location both nationally and internationally, particularly for those looking for a balance of urban accessibility and suburban charm. 

When a person is living in this small world at the highest platform, it is with a hope the same will reach out to the last person. In short, why the same living conditions are not available to all those who aspire for it. Why the same living conditions are not available to the last person of last mile in this world. Why would there be no anger in anyone who watches the fortune of one person for so long and why the anger does not turn into a seismic force to take them to higher planes. 

My work in this nation is to initiate this chain reaction and a movement to see the anger turn to a realistic positive stimulus. It is with a hope that countries change, states change, cities change and localities change by providing everything required for a great living for everyone. This is the reason we portray this picture and show this action from the highest platform for so long. It is really time to take a lot out of this example of my living in U.S. and make great lives, neighborhoods everywhere else. 

While this is one lifestyle example, there are many other areas which can tap the heat and become great. Developing countries can channel frustration into opportunity by embracing innovation, investing in education, supporting entrepreneurship, harnessing youth potential, responsibly managing resources and enhancing governance. Each of these strategies turns challenges into stepping stones, demonstrating that with intentional policies and a committed vision, third-world countries can pave their paths toward sustainable development and global competitiveness. 

Many developing countries have younger populations, which, when trained and mobilized, can become a powerful force for economic change. Investing in young people through education, job training, and support for entrepreneurial ventures can help them become active contributors to the economy. Many youngsters feel frustrated by looking at their peers emigrating to foreign nations and lead great lives. The same anger should be given an avenue to turn into a potent force and change themselves and the nations. If the youth can resolve with determination, nothing can stop them. Rather than protesting on roads, they need to work in perfect places which bring the best out of them towards the cause of the nation. 

Many developing countries lack resources comparable to developed nations, but this limitation can foster resourcefulness and innovation. For example, countries like Kenya and India have become leaders in financial technology (fintech) by innovating around traditional banking limitations. Kenya’s M-Pesa, a mobile banking service, provides financial access to millions without conventional banking systems, showing how creative solutions can overcome infrastructural gaps. The same is the case with India’s digital fintech landscape. Even advanced countries don't have this kind of ease and penetration. This is the kind of innovative spirit which should come up in abundance to make great lives and livelihoods. 

Education is a crucial driver of growth, and focusing on it enables developing countries to build skilled workforces. Many successful examples come from countries like South Korea and Singapore, which shifted from poverty to wealth within a few generations by investing heavily in education and technology. By emphasizing STEM education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, third-world countries can create empowered populations that are equipped to participate in and contribute to global markets. India exemplifies this with its thriving IT sector. The country's emphasis on technical education has allowed it to become a global leader in software development and customer service, providing millions of jobs and generating significant revenue. When we brought IT to India, it really transformed India. Now we need to bring this transformation to every doorstep and all the sectors. 

Rather than relying solely on foreign investments or multinational corporations, developing countries can fuel local entrepreneurship to foster self-sustaining economies. For example, countries like Rwanda and Vietnam have focused on creating business-friendly environments, resulting in booming small and medium enterprise (SME) sectors that contribute substantially to GDP growth. 

Strong governance and a clear commitment to fighting corruption are essential to effectively use resources and drive development. Many successful countries, such as Singapore, established robust governance frameworks early in their development, which reduced corruption and streamlined development initiatives. By addressing systemic corruption, increasing government transparency, and establishing accountability mechanisms, developing countries can create environments conducive to long-term investment and stability. Improved governance also inspires greater confidence from foreign investors and international organizations. 

Let me tell you a story on why we should not miss opportunities.  

Emilia was a high school senior from a small town with dreams of becoming an engineer. She was a strong student and loved building things, but her family struggled financially, and she worried about affording college. Then, during her final semester, her teacher announced a new scholarship for aspiring engineers that would cover nearly all expenses for college. However, the application required a challenging essay and letters of recommendation, and the deadline was only a few weeks away. 

Emilia hesitated. The workload for her classes was already high, and between her part-time job and family responsibilities, she felt overwhelmed. “Maybe this isn’t meant for me,” she thought. She knew that the scholarship would be life-changing, but the effort felt daunting. However, her teacher noticed her hesitation and encouraged her, saying, “Opportunities like this don’t come often. Don’t let fear hold you back.” 

After thinking about it, Emilia realized this could be her only shot at pursuing her dream without burdening her family with debt. She decided to go for it, putting in late nights to write her essay and gather the recommendations. She poured her heart into the application, sharing her passion for engineering and her desire to make a positive impact in her community. 

Months later, Emilia received an acceptance letter. She had not only won the scholarship but was also invited to join a mentorship program with professionals in her field. This opportunity transformed her life: she excelled in college, graduated with honors, and eventually landed a job that allowed her to support her family. 

Years later, Emilia often reflected on how close she’d come to passing up the scholarship because of fear and self-doubt. Missing that opportunity would have meant missing out on her dreams and the chance to make a difference. She realized that while opportunities might seem intimidating, they also hold the potential to change everything. 

For Indians back home and everyone around, frustration or anger over inequalities can be channeled into opportunities for growth and progress through strategic initiatives. These initiatives need to be taken up in all areas as the need of the hour. It will be the best way for the rise of new dawn, emergence of new nations and end of worst inequalities bothering all of us. The biggest question ‘why not me’ or ‘why I am not equal’ should have a resounding answer with the efforts of these times. Afterall, when we miss the opportunity, we change the potential to change everything.