It was a curious irony. The same day Gabriel Garcia Marquez died, I met another famous Latin writer-the prolific and talented Isabel Allende-giving a talk at a friend’s class on Social Change. A tiny frame of blazing wit and energy, Allende spoke passionately about experiences in India. Allende’s writing celebrates life. She’s also no stranger to its tragedies, both political and personal. Former Chilean President Salvador Allende is a relative. Then, in 1992, Paula, her 28- year- old daughter, died. To honour Paula’s memory, Allende set up a Foundation dedicated to the education, health and protection of women and girls. Allende said the idea came to her after she met a desperate woman in rural India trying to give away her baby. Allende was told this was because the child was a girl. Witnessing the indignity of what it means to be part of a marginalized underclass prompted Allende to create her charity. Magician Allende’s stark encounter inspiring her to act is both admirable and appalling.

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