I had the opportunity to hang out with some students from Mumbai, India at Penn State York.
As an American, who often sees India as yet one more country in the world to compete with for jobs and contributing to further eroding my standard of living by defining my future as "what the market will bear", these moments are precious windows into the human soul. A moment to step back, stop running around, and see that we are not so different and share common dilemmas.
The United States terrorist targets of 911 were aimed at our financial system and military. The World Trade Center and the Pentagon were targeted because it was believed that our money and our military power is what make us whole.
The story of the Taj Mahal hotel slices much deeper into the heart of a people.
Industrialist Jamshetji Tata was refused entrance into Watson's hotel in the 19th century because he was a native, he swore revenge, and built the Taj in 1903. The hotel was even built facing away from the port to snub the British who for hundreds of years used the disorganization of kingdoms in India to wield wealth and power.
The Taj became the most spectacular and successful hotel in Mumbai.
Beyond that, for generations the bulk of the hotel's post-tax profits have gone to a number of the city's charities; even since Tata's Indian Hotels Company went public in 1970, a large proportion of its shares, held by the Tata Trusts, have continued to fund these charities. guardian.co.uk
The Taj is a global symbol to the people of India of perseverance, overcoming racial boundaries and using good fortune to help the masses. An even more sinister target than our 911.
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