Digital age Gandhi
Fri, February 22 2008
By Lucy-Claire Saunders
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Nitin Gandhi |
Driving a ‘93 white Chevy Cavalier, Nitin Gandhi finds himself somewhere between Vancouver and the end of the world. He’s got a refurbished computer in the back and an open road in front. His home in New Delhi is a long ways away.
With his snowboard on the roof, Gandhi arrives in Merritt—his first assignment for B.C. Digital Divide, a nonprofit organization that gives used computers to charities and low-income families. Merritt is only a three-hour drive but a world away from anything Gandhi is used to.
“When I arrived, I had to ask for directions,” he laughed. “I thought it was pretty funny that a guy said, ‘just said take three lefts and three rights, and you’re there.’ It’s so much easier to find things there. ”
Many of the families who encounter Gandhi at their door, with computer in hand, are understandably confused. “At first the family in Merritt was surprised to see me,” said Gandhi, “but when they realized I was there with their new computer, they got super excited.”
As if moving halfway around the world wasn’t enough, Gandhi, 25, needed an excuse to go one step further and explore B.C.’s Wild West. He has so far has delivered computers to Merritt, Kelowna, and Kamloops—all since three weeks ago, when he saw a posting on Craigslist, an online classifieds forum.
Robert Werner, who founded the organization in 2005, posted an advertisement under the ride share section in a blind attempt to find help. When Gandhi replied, Werner was skeptical.
“At first, I didn’t believe Gandhi was willing to drive on his own dime,” he said. “I thought he was looking for a real job.”
With no money offered, Gandhi signed on, “and so far he’s carrying out with his word,” added Werner.
Currently, B.C Digital Divide, an organization of six people, has delivered computers to over 500 families across B.C. But Werner says the real challenge comes when families live so far north.
“It’s been fairly difficult until Gandhi came on to the scene,” he said. “Before that, there was just no way to get the computers up north unless the family drives down.”
Gandhi is happy with this new arrangement while it keeps sending him to new places. Even if he has to revisit a town, he’ll go, he says. It gives him a sense of freedom that city life can sometimes crush.
“One day, I want to live in the countryside because the city is too much like a rat race,” he said. “and I guess, if I get lonely, I can always move back.”
Last Friday, Gandhi left for his latest adventure to Lillooet, a river town four hours north of Vancouver. Before his trip, there were reports that the weather could get nasty. The Coquihalla Mountain had already been closed for the longest recorded time because of avalanches.
But Gandhi wasn’t worried about weather. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I like to push myself to edge.”
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