Do You Admit You Cheated If You Didn’t?

The Million Dollar Question…

Q: How do you admit how you cheated if you did not?
A: You don’t – or you would really be cheating – yourself and the world!

The hero of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is a story of the power of integrity, of how it truly shines despite the desperation of the situation. It would be even more terrific if the movie was based on a true story! Jamal, a poor boy from the Mumbai slums looks for a big break to change his life and suceeds against incredible odds by winning ‘Who Wants to be a Millionare’ – all the way. Due to his shabby background, he is suspected of being a cheat, deemed guilty till proven innocent. Is it safe to assume that the poor have less integrity while the rich have more? I think wealth and status have no concrete links with one’s honesty. There are beggars who are petty con-men just as there are the rich who embezzle tons of money!

How much is integrity worth? It is priceless, more than a million dollars can buy. Though Jamal was not well-to-do or well-educated, he was neither poor in spirit nor integrity, even when looked upon as a destined loser. A victim of his karmic circumstances, he nevertheless struggled well and gained adequate street wisdom to survive. Through a poignant chain of karmic cause and effect, he gathers the necessary general knowledge from the harsh ‘university of life’ to answer most of the questions in the game show. He makes a couple of ‘lucky’ guesses though, but had enough merits to deserve glorious victory. That’s life for you – just do your best and make a few calculated leaps of good faith when you should!