Iyow - in your own words

I was excited to learn that Morgan Spurlock’s show 30 Days is back for a new season. What a refreshing change. People still watch thought-provoking television?!

I missed the first episode about Immigration, but Tivo caught the second episode on Outsourcing. Definitely a hot topic in the US, especially in the Bay Area. In fact, my husband enlightened me to the fact that the Bush Administration suppressed a controversial report on the outsourcing of high-tech jobs during an election year (surprise).

The part of this show that impressed me the most was the impact of outsourcing on Indian families. In particular, women. Culturally, Indian women take care of the entire family (immediate and extended). With so many new job opportunities for English-speaking workers in India, women are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in business.

During 30 Days, the wife of episode subject Ravi decides that she wants more from life than taking care of the family. She says she wants to be an “independent woman”. This naturally causes tension, but, ultimately, she studies hard and gets a coveted job at a prestigious call center. Her beaming smile reminded me of college graduation. The thrill of accomplishment and the excitement of taking that next step.

As someone who is jaded by the corporate world and takes for granted that she is an independent woman, I can only hope she keeps smiling.