Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Countering Anti-Muslim Rhetoric; Affordable Heart Surgery
8/25/2016 | 25m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Christians Countering Anti-Muslim Rhetoric; Affordable Heart Surgery; Laughter Yoga
Christians and Muslims share a meal together in an effort to overcome hate speech; Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty provides world-class heart surgery that even India's poorest can afford; and a growing spiritual practice combines the breathing techniques of yoga and the joy of laughing.
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Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
Countering Anti-Muslim Rhetoric; Affordable Heart Surgery
8/25/2016 | 25m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Christians and Muslims share a meal together in an effort to overcome hate speech; Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty provides world-class heart surgery that even India's poorest can afford; and a growing spiritual practice combines the breathing techniques of yoga and the joy of laughing.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪♪ >>> COMING UP, AS ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC CONTINUES, KIM LAWTON TALKS WITH CHRISTIANS FINDING WAYS TO OVERCOME IT.
>>> AND OPEN HEART SURGERY IN INDIA AT A COST EVEN THE POOR CAN PAY.
>>> PLUS, A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE CALLED LAUGHTER YOGA.
[ LAUGHTER ] COMPANY.
>>> WELCOME, I'M BOB ABERNETHY.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
AMATRICE AND OTHER TOWNS IN ITALY ARE RECOVERING FROM A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE THAT HAS LEFT HUNDREDS DEAD.
A THREE-STORY CONVENT ON THE EDGE OF TOWN WAS VIRTUALLY DESTROYED BY THE QUAKE, KILLING THREE NUNS.
POPE FRANCIS EXPRESSED HIS "HEARTFELT SORROW AND SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS" TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THE QUAKE.
AT HIS WEEKLY ADDRESS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE, FRANCIS LED THE FAITHFUL IN PRAYING THE ROSARY FOR THE VICTIMS.
ITALY'S CATHOLIC BISHOPS HAVE DONATED 1 MILLION EUROS TO VICTIMS, AND A NATIONAL COLLECTION WILL BE TAKEN UP IN CATHOLIC CHURCHES ACROSS ITALY ON SEPTEMBER 18th.
THE VATICAN ALSO SENT SIX FIREFIGHTERS TO THE AFFECTED REGION TO ASSIST IN RESCUE EFFORTS.
>>> ONE OF THE WORST CAUSALITIES OF THE WAR IN SYRIA HAS BEEN HOSPITALS, WHICH TOO OFTEN HAVE BEEN TARGETS FOR SYRIAN BOMBING.
NOW, LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN SYRIA ARE REFUSING TO ALLOW AID AGENCIES TO OPEN NEW MEDICAL FACILITIES OUT OF FEAR MORE HOSPITALS WILL DRAW MORE BOMBINGS.
THE SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY SAID IT HAD BACKED OFF OF PLANS TO BUILD AT LEAST FIVE HOSPITALS IN REBEL-HELD AREAS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE CHARITY SAID SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HAD BEEN LEFT WITHOUT DIRECT ACCESS TO CARE AS A RESULT.
NEARLY 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ATTACMze’’QP&TH CENTERS WORLDWIDE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
ALMOST 40% OF THEM WERE KILLED IN SYRIA.
>>> AN ISLAMIC EXTREMIST PLEADED GUILTY IN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT TO DESTROYING SHRINES AND DAMAGING A MOSQUE IN TIMBUKTU, MALI.
IT WAS THE COURT'S FIRST PROSECUTION AS A WAR CRIME OF THE DESTRUCTION OF A CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE.
LEGAL EXPERTS POINT OUT THAT CULTURAL DESTRUCTION HAS BECOME AN INTRINSIC PART OF WARFARE, AIMED AT DESTROYING AN OPPONENT'S HISTORY AND IDENTITY.
ISIS HAS ALSO DESTROYED NUMEROUS PLACES OF WORSHIP AND OTHER HISTORICAL SITES.
>>> HERE AT HOME, A FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKED THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FROM ENFORCING NEW GUIDELINES INTENDED TO EXPAND RESTROOM ACCESS FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS.
THE JUDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH FEDERAL LAW WHEN IT ISSUED THE NEW DIRECTIVES.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAD ARGUED THE NEW RULES REFLECTED HOW IT INTERPRETED EXISTING SEX-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS AND THREATENED TO CUT OFF FEDERAL FUNDING FROM NONCOMPLIANT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
MEANWHILE, TEXAS, FOUR OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED STATES, ALONG WITH THE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL ASSOCIATION, AND A NETWORK OF RELIGIOUS HOSPITALS CALLED THE FRANCISCAN ALLIANCE, HAVE FILED ANOTHER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY'RE ASKING THE SAME COURT TO BLOCK NEW REGULATIONS INTENDED TO BAN DISCRIMINATION BY DOCTORS, HOSPITALS AND INSURERS AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE.
>>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN LANGUAGE ABOUT ISLAM THIS ELECTION SEASON -- CALLS FOR BANNING MUSLIMS FROM ENTERING THE U.S. AND FOR PATROLLING OF MUSLIM NEIGHBORHOODS.
BUT THERE ARE ALSO SERIOUS ATTEMPTS TO OPPOSE ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC.
IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, KIM LAWTON FOUND EFFORTS TO COUNTER THE RHETORIC BY BUILDING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS.
ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THAT MOVEMENT IS REVEREND JOSH GRAVES, THE PASTOR OF AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
>> Reporter: IN A WEALTHY SUBURB OF NASHVILLE, THIS SMALL GROUP HAS GATHERED TO MEET SOME NEW PEOPLE AND MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS.
BUT THIS IS FAR FROM A TYPICAL SOCIAL MIXER.
HALF OF THE PEOPLE HERE ARE CHRISTIANS, AND HALF ARE MUSLIMS.
THEY'VE COME SPECIFICALLY TO BRIDGE INTERFAITH DIVIDES.
HELPING TO BREAK THE ICE IS A LOCAL EVANGELICAL PASTOR, JOSH GRAVES.
HE SAYS IN A CLIMATE OFTEN MARKED BY FEAR AND BIGOTRY, CHRISTIANS HAVE A SPIRITUAL DUTY TO GET TO KNOW THEIR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS.
>> THE STEREOTYPES LOSE THEIR POWER BECAUSE THEY'RE REPLACED BY TRUE, AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS.
IT'S VERY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO CARE ABOUT PEOPLE THEY DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S JUST TRUE OF HUMANS WHEREVER YOU ARE ON PLANET EARTH.
>> Reporter: THIS ELECTION SEASON, INTERFAITH GROUPS HAVE BEEN CONDEMNING ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC BY CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SEVERAL GROUPS HAVE LAUNCHED NATIONAL INITIATIVES IN RESPONSE.
WITH ANTI-MUSLIM LEGISLATION AND RALLIES MOVING FORWARD IN MANY COMMUNITIES, INTERFAITH LEADERS ARE ALSO CALLING FOR MORE LOCAL EFFORTS.
NASHVILLE IS SOMETIMES NICKNAMED "THE BUCKLE OF THE AMERICAN BIBLE BELT," BUT ITS MUSLIM POPULATION HAS BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY.
MUSLIMS HERE SAY THEY HAVE FELT THE STING OF ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC.
>> EVERY SINGLE WEEK, THERE'S RADIO HOSTS WHO BRING ON PEOPLE WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO BADMOUTH THE RELIGION OF ISLAM OR TO TALK BAD ABOUT THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
>> IT'S OFTEN DISCOUNTED AS RHETORIC.
IN FACT, WHAT HAPPENS IS THE CANDIDATE IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME.
SPEAKING TO MY WIFE.
TO MY CHILD.
AND IT IS NOT EASY TO DISCOUNT SUCH RHETORIC WHEN IT'S ABOUT YOU.
>> I THINK THE MOST IMPACT OF THIS FEAR OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS ON OUR KIDS.
THEY ARE MOST WORRIED ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS A 12-YEAR-OLD.
SHE'S WORRIED, YOU KNOW, WE MAY HAVE TO MOVE FROM HERE.
>> Reporter: JOSH GRAVES IS LEAD MINISTER AT OTTER CREEK CHURCH OF CHRIST, A MEGACHURCH IN THE NASHVILLE SUBURB OF BRENTWOOD.
>> IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AS A WHITE, EDUCATED, AFFLUENT PROTESTANT MALE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR MY MUSLIM NEIGHBORS TO HEAR THE RHETORIC.
WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF MY SACRED TEXTS, BECAUSE OF THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS, BECAUSE I HAVE CHILDREN, I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK OUT.
>> Reporter: WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE WHEN YOU SEE THIS RHETORIC SEEMING TO RESONATE WITH SOME EVANGELICALS?
>> IT GRIEVES ME BECAUSE IT BETRAYS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE BIBLE -- THE LOVE OF GOD.
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR.
HERE'S THE WHOLE ESSENCE JESUS SAYS OF EVERYTHING THAT I STAND FOR.
>> Reporter: GRAVES IS AUTHOR OF THE CONTROVERSIALLY TITLED BOOK "HOW NOT TO KILL A MUSLIM: A MANIFESTO OF HOPE FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM IN NORTH AMERICA."
ALTHOUGH MANY EVANGELICALS HAVE NOT BEEN ACTIVE IN INTERFAITH EFFORTS, GRAVES URGES HIS FELLOW CHRISTIANS TO COUNTER HATE BY BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH MUSLIMS.
HE RAISES THOSE THEMES AS AN ADJUNCT BIBLE PROFESSOR AT LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY, A LOCAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.
OTTER CREEK CHURCH HAS SPONSORED SEVERAL EVENTS BRINGING IN MUSLIM SPEAKERS TO EXPLAIN WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
IN ADDITION, GRAVES AND SOME OF HIS CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE JOINED FORCES WITH A LOCAL INTERFAITH GROUP, THE FAITH AND CULTURE CENTER, FOR THE "A SEAT AT THE TABLE" INITIATIVE, WHERE CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS SHARE A MEAL TOGETHER.
>> FROM WHAT I'VE READ IN THE KORAN, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND IN THE JEWISH SCRIPTURES, HOSPITALITY IS A CENTRAL DISCIPLINE OF LIFE.
YOU CAN'T GET AROUND IT.
LIKE, WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR POTS AND YOUR PANS IS WHAT YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT YOUR RELIGION.
>> IN OUR CULTURE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WHAT WE SAY THAT UNLESS SOMEONE BREAKS BREAD WITH YOU ON THE TABLE, HE IS NOT A FRIEND.
SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
IT BUILDS RELATIONSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, AND WE NEED TO FOSTER THAT.
>> Reporter: THIS MEAL TOOK PLACE AT THE HOME OF OTTER CREEK CHURCH MEMBERS JERRY AND SANDRA COLLINS.
>> I'VE BECOME CONVINCED THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT IN THE HEREAFTER.
IT'S RIGHT HERE AND NOW.
AND WE CAN BE A PART OF THAT.
AND I WANT, IN SOME SMALL MEASURE, DESPITE MY SINS AND SHORTCOMINGS, TO BE A PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
>> WE HAVE FRIENDS WE KNOW WHO ARE EXCLUSIVE, WHO WOULD NOT APPRECIATE THIS.
AND I WAS THINKING WHEN I LEARNED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO PUT THIS ON TELEVISION, THAT I MAY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, I MAY HAVE FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES, WHO WILL BE SO SHOCKED.
I HOPE NOT.
I HOPE THEY'LL SAY HOORAY, I'M GLAD THEY DID IT.
>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE MEAL IS THE CONVERSATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE.
>> HERE YOU MEET PEOPLE TO PEOPLE.
AND THE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT CERTAINLY ALLAYS ALL KIND OF FEAR AND SUSPICION.
>> Reporter: AMIR ARAIN IS A NEUROLOGIST AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.
HE AND GRAVES HAVE BECOME GOOD FRIENDS.
OFTEN WHEN EVANGELICALS REACH OUT TO PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS,ñ THE ONLY GOAL IS TO CONVERT THEM TO CHRISTIANITY.
GRAVES SAYS THAT'S NOT THE CASE FOR HIM.
>> ULTIMATELY, I THINK JESUS IS THE MOST COMPELLING THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED IN HUMAN HISTORY.
I HOPE AMIR BECOMES A DISCIPLE OF JESUS IN THE SAME WAY HE HOPES I BECOME A DISCIPLE OF THE QUR'AN.
SO WE'VE GOTTEN THAT OUT OF THE WAY.
AND THEN WE LIVE OUR LIVES.
THE END GAME IS WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE FLOURISHING OF THE CITY YOU LIVE IN.
>> Reporter: GRAVES SAYS HE HAS WIDE SUPPORT FOR HIS INTERFAITH WORK WITHIN HIS CONGREGATION.
BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGES SOME PARTS OF THE EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY DON'T APPROVE.
HE SAYS HE'S HEARD THE MURMURINGS.
>> THE MUSLIM LOVER, THE MUSLIM-LOVING PASTOR, WHICH I'VE RESPONDED TO WHEN I HAVE THE CHANCE TO SAY, "WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE?
I LOVE EVERYBODY.
I DON'T THINK I GET TO PICK WHO I LOVE."
>> Reporter: FAITH AND CULTURE CENTER PRESIDENT DAOUD ABUDIAB SAYS THE EFFORTS OF CHRISTIANS TO REACH OUT HAS BEEN DEEPLY ENCOURAGING TO MUSLIMS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES.
IN 2008, HIS ISLAMIC CENTER IN COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE, WAS FIREBOMBED BY THREE WHITE MEN.
>> THOSE WERE THREE YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE SELF-IDENTIFIED AS CHRISTIANS WHO LIVED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHO LATER ON EXPLAINED THAT IN THEIR PERCEPTION WHAT WE WERE DOING IN THAT ISLAMIC CENTER WAS AGAINST THE TEACHINGS OF THEIR BIBLE.
>> Reporter: BUT IN THE DAYS AFTER THE ATTACK, ABUDIAB SAYS CHRISTIANS, JEWS, AND OTHERS MOBILIZED TO SUPPORT MEMBERS OF THE DESTROYED CENTER.
>> FOR ME PERSONALLY, THAT CHANGED MY DEFINITION OF WHAT A COMMUNITY IS.
IT WAS THE PEOPLE WHO HOLD THE SAME VALUES IN THEIR HEARTS.
>> Reporter: PAUL GALLOWAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR OUTREACH, SAYS PEOPLE OF MANY FAITHS ARE HOPING THE BRIDGE-BUILDING IN NASHVILLE CAN BE A MODEL FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES STRUGGLING OVER RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY.
HE SHOWED ME A RECENT AD IN "THE TENNESSEAN" NEWSPAPER WHICH WAS SIGNED BY LEADERS OF MANY DIFFERENT FAITHS.
>> "NO MATTER WHAT WE BELIEVE, WHERE WE COME FROM, OR WHAT OUR DIFFERENCES MIGHT BE, TOGETHER WE'RE BETTER."
IT REALLY JUST SAYS, NO MATTER WHAT ELSE HAPPENS ACROSS THE WORLD, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN TENNESSEE, AS NASHVILLE OUR VALUES ARE TO BE WELCOMING, AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER AND RESPECT EACH OTHER.
>> Reporter: AND GRAVES BELIEVES THAT'S A MESSAGE THAT IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER, NOT JUST HERE IN THE U.S.
HE SAYS HE HOPES SOMEONE IN EGYPT WRITING THE BOOK, "HOW NOT TO KILL A CHRISTIAN."
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HOPE THAT COMES OUT OF THIS IS THAT CHRISTIANS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE A CHRISTIAN.
WE HOPE THAT THEIR LIVES ARE BETTER OFF BECAUSE OF HOW WE'RE TREATING MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> Reporter: I'M KIM LAWTON IN NASHVILLE.
>>> WE HAVE A FRED DE SAM LAZARO STORY TODAY ABOUT A HEART SURGEON IN INDIA WHO RUNS A NETWORK OF HOSPITALS THAT PERFORM WORLD-CLASS OPERATIONS AT A SMALL FRACTION OF WHAT THEY WOULD COST IN THE U.S.
DOCTOR DEVI PRASAD SHETTY OF BANGALORE SAYS EVEN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED SURGERY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE WORLD'S POOREST PEOPLE.
>> HOLE IN THE HEART.
@%QJ5iJáJU$OSE STANDARD PROCEDURES.
>> Reporter: IT'S PROBABLY MORE "STANDARD" FOR DEVI PRASAD SHETTY THAN JUST ABOUT ANYONE ELSE.
THE 62-YEAR-OLD SURGEON SAYS HE STOPPED COUNTING AFTER HIS 15,000th OPEN-HEART OPERATION.
>> I DO NOW ABOUT ONE OR TWO SURGERIES A DPY, AND WE WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK.
MY COLLEAGUES -- SOME OF THEM DO FOUR SURGERIES, FIVE SURGERIES A DAY.
>> Reporter: ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO 35 OPEN-HEART OPERATIONS ARE PERFORMED IN THE THEATERS HERE EVERY DAY, MANY ON BABIES, MAKING THIS BY FAR THE LARGEST CARDIAC CARE FACILITY IN THE WORLD.
THIS 1,000-BED HOSPITAL IN BANGALORE IS PART OF A FAST-GROWING FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL CHAIN CALLED NARAYANA HEALTH.
ITS ERROR RATE IS SIMILAR TO OR LOWER THAN MOST AMERICAN HOSPITALS, AT A TINY FRACTION OF THE COST.
TAKE THIS COMPLICATED VALVE REPLACEMENT OPERATION THAT TOOK MORE THAN SIX HOURS.
>> THIS PATIENT WOULD HAVE PAID US ABOUT $2,500 TO ABOUT $3,000.
BUT IN THE U.S., AN OPERATION OF THIS NATURE WOULD COST, I GUESS, ANYTHING FROM $70,000 TO $100,000.
>> Reporter: DR. SHETTY FOUNDED NARAYANA HEALTH 15 YEARS AGO.
LIKE SIMILAR ENTERPRISES IN INDIA, IT DOES SERVE WEALTHY PATIENTS AND SOME MEDICAL TOURIáUáy BUT HE SAYS THE MISSION IS TO BRING THE LATEST ADVANCES IN CARDIAC SURGERY TO THE LOWER-MIDDLE CLASS AND THE POOR.
>> IF A SOLUTION IS NOT AFFORDABLE, IT IS NOT A SOLUTION.
IT'S POINTLESS IF WE TALK ABOUT HUGE DEVELOPMENTS IN CARDIAC SURGERY OR A BRAIN OPERATION OR COMPLEX CANCER SURGERY IF THE COMMON MAN CANNOT AFFORD IT.
I SEE 70 TO 100 PATIENTS A DAY.
A TYPICAL PATIENT OF MINE IS A LITTLE KID ON A MOTHER'S LAP.
HE HAS A LEAKAGE IN THE VALVE OF HIS HEART.
HE NEEDS AN OPERATION.
THE SURGERY CARRIES RISKS, SHETTY TOLD THE CHILD'S FAMILY.
>> Translator: SIR, HE IS MY ONLY CHILD.
THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY.
>> I WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE.
GOD WILL MAKE IT ALL RIGHT.
DON'T WORRY.
r WK 'HRá'S A SCENE REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, SHETTY SAYS, AND THE TEARS, THE ANGUISH ARE NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WHETHER THE SURGERY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> I TELL THE MOTHER THAT THE BABY REQUIRES A HEART OPERATION, AND SHE HAS ONLY ONE QUESTION -- HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST?
AND I TELL HER THAT IT IS GOING TO COST 80,000 RUPEES, WHICH SHE DOESN'T HAVE, AND THAT IS THE PRICE TAG ON THE KID'S LIFE.
SHE COMES UP WITH 80,000 RUPEES, SHE CAN HAVE THE BABY.
IF SHE DOES NOT HAVE 80,000 RUPEES, SHE GOING TO LOSE THE KID.
>> Reporter: THAT'S ABOUT $1,300, A LOT OF MONEY IN INDIA, WHERE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS EARN LESS THAN $2 A DAY.
IN INDIA, SHETTY SAYS 80% OF ALL MEDICAL BILLS ARE PAID OUT OF POCKET.
>> HALF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION BORROW MONEY OR SELL ASSETS TO PAY THE MEDICAL BILLS.
>> Reporter: THE PARENTS OF 5-MONTH-OLD MANOJ BORROWED ABOUT THREE TIMES THEIR MONTHLY INCOME AS RURAL FARM LABORERS JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE CHILD WASN'T THRIVING.
>> Translator: HE OF THE NOT TAKING HIS MILK PROPERLY.
HE HAD FEVERS AND COUGH, SO WE TOOK HIM TO SEE THE DOCTOR.
THEY TOLD US HE NEEDED SURGERY.
>> Reporter: THAT MEANT A DAY-LONG TRAIN JOURNEY TO THIS HOSPITAL.
BUT ONCE THERE, ANOTHER NARAYANA BENEFIT KICKED IN -- AN INSURANCE POLICY DEVELOPED WITH FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN SOUTH INDIA.
THE PLAN COVERS ONLY MAJOR MEDICAL COSTS LIKE SURGERY, BUT THE PREMIUM OF JUST 10 CENTS A MONTH MAKES IT WIDELY AFFORDABLE.
>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE COVERED UNDER THIS SCHEME IS ABOUT 10 MILLION NOW, AND IT HAS PERFORMED CLOSE TO ABOUT 100,000 OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS KINDS.
>> Reporter: WE WERE ASSURED 3-YEAR-OLD CHITRASHRI WAS IN NO PHYSICAL PAIN, JUST ANXIOUS AS NURSES REMOVED HER STITCHES FROM A SUCCESSFUL HEART OPERATION -- A HUGE RELIEF MEDICALLY AND FINANCIALLY FOR HER PARENTS, WHO STRUGGLE TO GET BY SELLING MILK FROM THEIR TWO COWS.
THE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY AND SO MANY OTHERS HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REVENUE SOURCE FOR NARAYANA HEALTH.
>> ABOUT 25%.
>> Reporter: REALLY?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: SO IT'S SIGNIFICANT?
>> IT IS SIGNIFICANT.
>> Reporter: IT IS JUST ONE BUSINESS STRATEGY NARAYANA HAS USED TO FIND REVENUE.
IT ALSO HAS A WALMART-LIKE APPROACH TO COST SAVING, SQUEEZING VENDORS FOR EVERYTHING FROM SURGICAL GOWNS TO SUPPLIES TO DEVICES.
>> WHEN WE IMPLANT ONE OF THE LARGEST NUMBER OF HEART VALVES IN THE WORLD, OBVIOUSLY YOU PAY FOR IT LESS THAN OTHERS.
AND ALSO, MORE THAN THE COST, OUR RESULTS GET BETTER.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SHEER VOLUME OF SURGERY NOT ONLY IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY AND LOWERS COST, IT ALSO MAKES THE SURGEONS BETTER AT THEIR ART.
THEY'RE PAID WELL BY INDIAN STANDARDS, BUT PROBABLY FAR LESS THAN THEY COULD EARN ELSEWHERE, ESPECIALdJe)Q EST.
>> WE CAN ADDRESS THE NEED OF THE DOCTORS, BUT WE CANNOT ADDRESS THE GREED OF THE DOCTORS.
AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT OUR ATTRITION RATE AMONG DOCTORS IS VIRTUALLY ZERO PERCENT.
THEY LOVE WORKING HERE.
>> Reporter: WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SPECIFICALLY TO WORK IN A PLACE LIKE THIS?
>> THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY IS THE PASSION.
THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY IS COMPASSION.
>> Reporter: SHETTY GREW UP IN A MIDDLE-CLASS HINDU FAMILY AND DEVELOPED AN EARLY PASSION FOR MEDICINE WATCHING DOCTORS TREAT HIS PARENTS, WHO BOTH SUFFERED ILL HEALTH.
AFTER MEDICAL SCHOOL, HE TRAINED IN LONDON AND RETURNED TO WORK IN INDIA, AT FIRST IN CALCUTTA.
THERE, BY CHANCE, HE GOT TO TREAT THE CITY'S MOST FAMOUS CITIZEN, MOTHER TERESA.
>> I WAS TRULY, TRULY TOUCHED BY HER THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, LIKE A SIMPLE STATEMENT FROM HER WHICH SAYS THAT HANDS WHICH SERVE ARE MORE SACRED THAN THE LIPS THAT PRAY.
>> Reporter: SHETTY SAYS HE SERVES WITH HIS HANDS.
AND HE PRAYS.
>> I AM VERY, VERY SPIRITUAL, BUT I AM NOT RELIGIOUS.
I BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, AND BEFORE I START AN OPERATION I PRAY TO GOD, AND AFTER THE SURGERY I AGAIN PRAY TO HIM FOR TAKING ME THROUGH THE OPERATION.
>> Reporter: PRAYER, MOTHER TERESA, WALMART?
SHETTY SEES NO CONTRADICTION.
IN ORDER TO BE CHARITABLE AT ANY SCALE, HE SAYS, YOU CAN'T BE A CHARITY.
>> CHARITY IS NOT SCALABLE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE.
YOU MAY BE THE RICHEST PERSON LIVING ON THIS PLANET, BUT IF YOU WANT TO OFFER FREE SURGERY, FREE TREATMENT TO EVERYONE, YOU WILL GO BROKE WITHIN A MONTH.
BUT GOOD BUSINESS PRINCIPLES, STANDARD BUSINESS POLICIES ARE SCALABLE.
>> Reporter: NARAYANA HEALTH HAS BRANCHED OUT BEYOND CARDIAC SURGERY INTO CANCER AND KIDNEY CARE, AND SHETTY SAYS IT WILL BECOME THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN A FEW YEARS.
>> IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT AT FIRST WHEN WE CAME TO SEE HIM, BUT THE DOCTORS TOLD US THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
>> Reporter: BABY MANOJ IS BUT ONE CASE, SHETTY SAYS, THAT PROVES HEALTH CARE, EVEN SOPHISTICATED SURGERY, CAN BE MADE ACCESSIBLE TO THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE FARTHEST CORNER OF THE WORLD.
FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," THIS IS FRED DE SAM LAZARO IN BENGALURU, INDIA.
>>> THERE'S NEW DATA ON HOW PEOPLE CHOOSEñA PARTICULAR CHURCH.
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, 83% SAY IT'S GOOD PREACHING.
79% SAID IT WAS A WARM WELCOME BY CHURCH LEADERS.
AND 74% NAMED AN APPEALING STYLE OF WORSHIP.
AND ATTENDANCE?
51% OF AMERICANS SAID THEY GO TO CHURCH AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH.
>>> NOW, BELIEF AND PRACTICE.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MANY PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY ARE SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS ARE EXPLORING NEW PRACTICES.
ONE OF THOSE IS CALLED LAUGHTER YOGA.
IT COMBINES THE BREATHING TECHNIQUES OF YOGA WITH LAUGHING.
WE TALKED WITH INSTRUCTOR DIANE COHEN ABOUT LAUGHTER YOGA AT A SESSION SHE WAS LEADING AT WASHINGTON'S NATIONAL CATHEDRAL.
>> LAUGHTER YOGA IS A UNIQUE CONCEPT WHERE YOU LAUGH FOR NO REASON.
THERE ARE NO JOKES, THERE'S NO COMEDY, THERE'S NO HUMOR.
IT'S JUST INTENTIONAL LAUGHTER AND IT LOOKS LIKE A GROUP OF PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER LAUGHING HAVING FUN.
THE FOUR ELEMENTS ARE CLAPPING, CHILDLIKE PLAYFULNESS, PRANAYAMA BREATHING, WHICH IS THE YOGA PART, AND THE LAUGHTER EXERCISES.
IT'S THE LAUGHTER PART AND THE BREATHING PART, THE PRANAYAMA BREATHING THAT WE DO IN YOGA AND THERE AREN'T THE POSES AT ALL AND THE BENEFITS ARE FROM THE BREATHING.
IT TAKES YOU SO MUCH OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND YOUR MIND AND MORE INTO YOUR HEART AND BODY AND THE SPIRITUALITY COMES IN BECAUSE WE'RE CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER, AND WE'RE CONNECTING IN A NONRELIGIOUS WAY, HOWEVER IT'S A JOYFUL WAY.
YOUR BODY ACTUALLY DOESN'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTENTIONAL LAUGHTER AND REAL LAUGHTER, YOU JUST FEEL GOOD.
WITH MINDFULNESS WE LEARN TO PAUSE, TAKE A BREATH, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND SOME OF MY CLIENTS INCLUDED, WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO THE MEDITATIVE STATE.
HOWEVER, WITH LAUGHTER YOGA, YOU CAN ARRIVE AT THAT POINT WITHOUT SITTING STILL.
SOME PEOPLE NEED TO BE ACTIVE.
>>> FINALLY, WITH A FOREVER STAMP, THE U.S.
POSTAL SERVICE IS ABOUT TO CELEBRATE DIWALI, THE FIVE-DAY INDIAN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS HONORING, OR AT LEAST HOPING FOR, THE TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL.
THE UNVEILING OF THE STAMP AND OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF SALES WLL BE OCTOBER 5th, AT THE INDIAN CONSULATE IN NEW YORK.
DIWALI IS A BIG OCCASION FOR HINDUS ALL OVER THE WORLD, OF WHOM THERE ARE ABOUT A BILLION.
>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.
I'M BOB ABERNETHY.
YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.
WATCH US ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.
THERE IS ALSO MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN TO OR WATCH EVERY PROGRAM.
JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.
AS WE LEAVE YOU, SCENES FROM LAST YEAR'S DIWALI FESTIVAL.
[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LA PRODUCTS.
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