New Delhi, Nov. 27 -- Every response to my last column, 'Let's focus on poverty too as we pursue broader ambitious goals,' had the same question: "Where is this place?"

Extreme poverty, early death, environmental devastation and everything else that must not exist anywhere in the world is there in that place. Any honest assessment leads to only one conclusion-that we cannot be forgiven for the abject neglect of such places. They are inhabited by our own people, so how can we let this go on?

Yet, visible in the same place is the resilience of people, the soaring spirits of young women and a hospital that is an oasis of succour. This confluence of darkness and light is not unique. You will find it in much of the country. Nothing can quash...