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Following her introduction, the elementary students from the school performed a song to greet her. The final phrase of the song invoked the spirit of Gandhi and that of Deshpande, as it said: "It takes a world of difference to make a difference in the world." On a stage before more than 350 people, Deshpande spoke of the diversity within the United States, and how, through this diversity, destiny has been kind to the people of this country. "You have the whole of humanity here in this land," she said. "With this, destiny has blessed this land." Deshpande spoke of her incredible journey through India where she and others - including Vinoba Bhave - who were following in Gandhi's path after his assassination, undertook a "padyatras" or a vow to make a sacred journey. Together they marched some 40,000 kilometers and along the way collected thousands of acres of land donated by people who believed in Gandhi's message. They distributed the land among the poor and landless people. Deshpande also spoke at length on some of the perils of the international community and what she believes is the root of the problems - among them: language. "We must move away from what the people say is a victory for India, or a victory for the USA," she said. "What we must say and believe what is victory for the world. If we all start saying that, then the day will dawn where we will all live in harmony." Another major theme was sharing. Deshpande said those who live with luxury and who do not share are never truly happy. "If you ask them if they are happy, they will always publicly say yes, but if a child asks them if they can sleep at night, they will say no," she said. "But, when you do something nice for someone else, you are filled with a happiness that no luxury can deliver. By sharing what one has, this the true path to happiness." Before concluding the talk, Deshpande took questions from the students. The questions ranged from whether or not she wore shoes on her 40,000-kilometer walk, to when in her own life did she decide to follow the path she had chosen. "Do you wish to be happy or unhappy?" she asked to the student who inquired about her personal reasons for her life's mission. "Happiness," the student replied. "Well me too, and that is why I have chosen to follow in this life," Deshpande said. "Together, we can build a better world." Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1929, Deshpande has dedicated her life to the principles practiced and championed by Gandhi. She is known and loved throughout India as a keeper of the legacy and has met with such world leaders as former President Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf. "We were very lucky to have a woman of such prominence and greatness to take time to come and talk to us," said Ward Mailliard, of Mount Madonna School. "It just goes to show the power of asking." Mount Madonna School and the mountaintop center sponsor an Orphanage School and medical center in India where Mailliard met Deshpande several years ago. Deshpande is in the midst of wrapping up her first trip to the United States, a trip in which she traveled to Washington to talk to leaders at the State Department. She also has gone to New York, Chicago and several other cities to talk to Indian leaders throughout the country in an attempt to build a strong, international network to work towards a resolution to the current India and Pakistan conflict.
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