Q. Dr. Abraham George, what do you want the world to know about Mountains to Cross: Finding Life’s Purpose In Service?
I hope the world will see, through my experience serving disadvantaged and poor people, that we can make a real difference in their lives by serving their needs. Given that half the world lives in poverty at different levels, and that the top 10% of the economic ladder holds substantial wealth, it is not a matter of a shortage of funds. If the top 10% were to contribute just 10% of their wealth and income, we could literally eliminate poverty. We all have a moral obligation to help those in need.
Q. As a child, did you want to be a writer?
I didn’t think about being a writer when I was young, but I was fascinated by great books—Tolstoy, Hemingway, and others. When I became a professional, I needed to write business books, and I wrote a few. Later, when I began social work, I felt the need to write about that work as well. In recent years, I felt compelled to put down what I learned from my experiences—about poor people, what can be done, and what resources are most effective. I wrote my story through events that occurred in my life so readers can draw their own conclusions about serving the poor.
Q. What was the most challenging part of writing your book?
The greatest challenge in writing Mountains to Cross was writing about myself. Unlike writing about someone else, this is difficult because you must come across as objective, honest, and humble. I dealt with it through storytelling. I described what happened, reflected on the lessons learned, and offered my suggestions. I shared these stories through conversations with the children I brought up.
Q. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers after finishing your book?
I hope readers will find the book inspiring and feel motivated to serve others. Whether they have limited resources or many resources, I want the idea to become evident that they can contribute in meaningful ways. There is no need to wait when you are in a position to help. In doing so, you will find purpose and meaning in your life, and you will become a happier person.
Q. What is your favorite passage from your book?
My favorite passages are the conversations with the children and how I try to guide them in the right direction. There are numerous sections where I speak about values and their responsibilities to their families and society. I communicate these ideas in a simple way so they understand their importance. There are also many incidents from my life—from a near-death experience with a dynamite blast to threats from people who did not like my work helping the poor. How I dealt with those experiences may also be meaningful to readers.
Q. What inspired you to write Mountains to Cross: Finding Life’s Purpose In Service?
There were two major reasons. First, I wanted to leave behind the story of how I worked among poor people and what was accomplished. I wrote about the challenges I faced, how I dealt with them, how they were resolved, and the lessons learned. Second, I wanted to show others that reaching out and helping people is far more satisfying than living an affluent life. The joy that comes from service is far greater than the happiness that comes from wealth. I try to demonstrate this through my own personal experiences.
Q. What inspired the title for your book?
Over the years, I faced many obstacles and found ways to navigate through them. Like anyone in life, I encountered many challenges that had to be addressed. Having lived in the mountains for part of my life, I found them to be a fitting representation of the challenges we must overcome.
Q. Do you have a sequel planned for your book? If not, are you working on any other projects?
It’s too early for me to decide whether I will write something else. If I do, it would not be another memoir. It would likely be the story of a child or children I brought up: what they did with their lives and how they feel about their upbringing.
Q. Why should readers choose to read your book?
Readers should consider my book if they believe there is greater joy in giving and serving others. If they are searching for purpose in their lives, this book offers insight into what to expect in the social arena and may inspire them.
Q. Why did you decide on this story to tell?
This is my own story, so it did not require research. Having lived on two continents and worked in three different professional careers, I have navigated many different situations and environments. Writing my story mainly involved recalling what happened. I did this in part by going through thousands of photographs in my family’s possession.
Dr. Abraham George is the author of the memoir “Mountains to Cross: Finding Life’s Purpose in Service,” a powerful reflection on his extraordinary journey from soldier and entrepreneur to social reformer. He began his career in the Indian Army as an artillery officer stationed at the Se La mountain pass on the India–China border, then the highest battleground in the Himalayas. Following his military service, he moved to the United States, where he earned two master’s degrees and a PhD in business administration from New York University. For nearly twenty-five years, he built a successful entrepreneurial career before returning to India in 1995 to confront systemic discrimination and economic oppression.
Find out more on Dr. Abraham George’s website.
