Railroad Town Theory
Union Pacific rail yard and main line, Laramie, WY
Having lived in different places across the Midwest, Northeast, and South, I have experienced a mix of community cultures. Since many of them were born from rails, I have a theory about railroad towns.
There’s something about towns and cities that owe their creation to the railroad. They seem more open to new arrivals.
There’s no science or data behind this. Just observations that railroad communities appreciate their dependencies and their role in the circulatory system of commerce. Perhaps that hypothesis extends to Interstate exists, as well.
The American Dream is Alive and Well
The weekend is mostly for chores and footage review, but yesterday I had the chance to interview Amandeep Pandher. Her husband, Mintu, and she are immigrants from India who own five truck stops and their own fuel shipping truck fleet. She’s also weeks away from welcoming their third child into the world.
I found them thanks to my friend Kamal Singh Masuta, who I had the pleasure of working with through a Committee to Protect Journalist’s project. He is a Sikh living in New York City and has helped me learn about his faith community. He contacted the Sikh Coalition who stepped forward to introduce me to the Pandher family.
A few years ago, I read an article about how the trucking industry has attracted a large number of Sikh immigrants to help meet the market demands for drivers. Truck drivers are the foot soldiers of the supply chain and the profession attracts entrepreneurial types. It’s an essential service.
As more have become successful trucking company owners, some have begun to see the market opportunity to meet the growing number of vegetarian drivers while providing more Indian cuisine options along the interstate system.
I can’t wait for you to hear and see Amandeep’s interview. You’ll see the American dream is alive and well, plus you get to learn more about their formula for success: cheap fuel, delicious food, and compassionate service.
What cultures have you welcomed into your community?
