‘Both in India & US, rural people have fewer amenities’

Though the mention of the US brings a picture of an advanced country to the minds of people, there is another side to this affluent nation, the rural America, where people lead ordinary lives and work in mines and fields. Dr Sanjeev Chaubal, a veterinarian from Mumbai, who has been living in the US for the last 10 years, has recorded his experiences of rural America in his book, ‘Gavakadchi America’. The book was released recently. Dr Chaubal tells DNA about the similarities and differences in the
rural lives in the US and India.

How is life in rural America different from the glittery urban life?
Though America is perceived as a glitzy urban society, nearly
three-fourths of its geographical area is considered rural.
In the rural parts, there are fewer educational institutes, minimal medical support system, less than adequate infrastructure, fewer
recreational facilities and fewer and lesser paying job opportunities. Under these circumstances, the rural youth are rapidly moving to urban areas for jobs. However, despite all these setbacks, rural America preserves the real American way of life. They tend to adhere to old values, traditions, ways of life and religious views. Theirs’ is a small world, where hard work and moral values are important.

Does it have any similarity to life in rural India?
There are some similarities, but there are many differences also. In both the countries, the rural people, in comparison to the urban people, have fewer amenities. Rural Americans are more dependant on natural resources like the rural population in India. They tend to develop a narrow outlook due to lack of exposure to the larger world and other cultures. So, rural people in both the countries tend to be more orthodox, traditional and religious.

Do rural Americans face same problems as the Indian rural populace?
This is where India and America are different. In India, the gap between urban and rural life is huge. Urban and rural India look like two entirely different countries. But, the quality of amenities in rural and urban America is very much similar. The difference may be in terms of quantity, but there is no compromise on quality.
Life in urban and rural America is different in terms of superficial things. The urban Americans might have high-rises, swanky malls, top quality transport facilities and recreational options, but they have to really struggle to make a decent living. On the other hand, rural Americans don’t have to struggle to make a living. All the basic facilities are taken care of.

Is this your first book? Why did you choose to write it in Marathi?
Yes, this is my first book. I moved to the US after working in India for 14 years. I worked in firms specialising in embryo transfer technology and in-vitro fertilisation for the dairy industry.
I have lived in the American countryside for many years now. I wanted to bring forth this aspect of American life, and present it to
Maharashtrians in the US as well as in India. The book is available in Pune. Those interested in buying the book can call 9890301986.