http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/south-asia/i-was-one-of-indias-unclean-dalits-now-i-am-a-millionaire
As far back as he can remember, people told Hari Kishan Pippal that he was unclean, with a filthiness that had tainted his family for centuries. Teachers forced him to sit apart from other students. Employers sometimes did not bother to pay him.
Mr Pippal is a Dalit, a member of the outcast community once known as untouchables. Born at the bottom of Hinduism's complex social ladder, that meant he could not eat with people from higher castes or drink from their wells.
He was not supposed to aspire to a life beyond that of his father, an illiterate cobbler. Years later, he still will not repeat the slurs that people called him.
Now, though, people call him something else. They call him rich.
i find that once again I'm being called to stand up for what i believe in, not just in what i do, but my attitude towards things in life and friendship.
not that i have been ostracized or outcasted, but sometimes, it sure feels that way.
being in this industry naturally raised some eyebrows amongst friends and relatives. after all, i'm a degree holder of the pioneer batch of courses at one of the most prestigious universities in singapore. i did the tried and tested junior college then university route. and my family, although not as well of as one might deem to be "affluent", is not shabby at the least.
and right before insurance, i was in a bank.
some might say that is the goal in life of an average singaporean. work in an MNC and get paid a wonderful salary with an even more wonderful bonus.
but now i face the constant rejection and disappointment associated with people of my business.
this article is just a wake up call for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and just - "credit (my) own success to hard work and ego."
time for me to wake up and get back to work,
Jessica
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