Abraham M. George
The rewards of turning a life of success into one of compassion in action are worth the risk.
Mountains to Cross is a narrative of the author’s pursuit of purpose through his transformative social contribution. George chronicles his path to helping thousands of families escape intergenerational poverty and societal inequality. More than a personal memoir, this book motivates those who want to address systemic poverty and inequality but are unsure where or how to start. Through personal stories and lessons from his experiences, readers can develop their own understanding of what it means to lead a life of conviction and engagement. For social entrepreneurs, educators, philanthropists, policymakers, or anyone interested in grassroots change, it provides practical insights to help them achieve their goals of serving those in need.
The author offers his story not as a blueprint for service but as an invitation to consider a path of purpose through compassion. Written in a storytelling style, he shares his life experiences to provide insights into social work for those who wish to help the impoverished.
Dr. Abraham George began his career in the Indian army as an artillery officer stationed at the Se La mountain pass on the China–India border, the highest battleground in the Himalayas at that time. Following brief military service, he moved to the United States and earned two master’s degrees and a PhD in business administration from New York University. For nearly twenty-five years, Dr. George pursued a successful entrepreneurial career before returning to India in 1995 to address deep-rooted discrimination and economic oppression faced by the country’s social underclass.
Among the initiatives he embarked on in India are the Shanti Bhavan Residential School (www.shantibhavanchildren.org), to provide high-quality education to children from socially and economically deprived backgrounds, and the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media (www.iijnm.org), a premier postgraduate institution aimed at fostering a free and independent press in India. Further, he set up Baldev Medical & Community Center to serve the health care needs of fifteen villages across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka States. His work in environmental health was pivotal in the removal of lead from gasoline across India in April 2000, a milestone achievement in public health.
Dr. George is the author of three books on international corporate finance and two on his social work in India. Over the years, he has served on prestigious boards such as Human Rights Watch and the International Center for Journalists and has been honored with several awards, including the Hind Rattan.
