Hard-Working Immigrant at Restoring Love Explains His Incredible Story from Poverty to Success
- Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:30pm by
Billy Hallowell
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While waiting in line to meet Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) at a “Restoring Love” book signing, TheBlaze caught up with Umesh Patel, a Glenn Beck fan with a fascinating — and inspirational — personal story. Umesh and his wife, Aarzu, flew in from their home in New Hampshire to attend the event in Dallas, Texas.
A native of India, Umesh came to America in 2007 in hopes of building a better life for himself. But the path wasn’t easy. In addition to tackling the normal struggles associated with immigration, on his first night in the U.S., his wallet was stolen — leaving him with only $1.50. For months, he stayed with friends, bouncing between their homes, as he attempted to form his new life.
Despite the challenges, Umesh told TheBlaze that he was determined to succeed. After nine months, he secured a driver’s license and began attending school to receive his MBA — a feat he accomplished in 2009.
Umesh Patel and his wife, Aarzu, with their child at "Restoring Love"
“I paid my college in cash,” he excitedly said, going on to explain that he worked 16 to 18-hour days to secure enough cash to pay off his debts and to dole out the $40,000 needed to receive his degree.
Umesh believes that hard work and honesty are the keys to success; he cites his story as an example of how it’s possible for anyone to achieve his or her goals. Today, he works at CVS pharmacy and has built a life with his wife (they met in 2010).
“If someone says, ‘I cannot make it,’ come see me,” he continued. “There is no scarcity of opportunity in America. [But], there may be scarcity of hard work and honesty. Don’t ask for help. Ask for a job.”
His wife, too, mirrors these views. Aarzu told TheBlaze that she’s proud of everything her husband has accomplished.
Beck’s message has resonated with Umesh for quite some time. He’s an avid GBTV (soon-to-be TheBlaze TV) subscriber and he’s intent on spreading the message of hope and love to others.
“We are thinking that the inspiration we get [at "Restoring Love"] we will pass onto as many people as we can, so that we can be a part of restoring love,” he continued.
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canon
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 1:14pmHi Billy it’s me Tina you look great in the background of the picture it was a blast meeting you and donna. The couple here with their baby were very nice people glad to have met them in line. check out my web site godandspirit.com thanks again Glenn Beck for Restoring Love !!!
Report Post »pecosval
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 9:13amAdd your comments
Report Post »pecosval
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 9:12amHard work pays off, I love success stories!
Report Post »ERP
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 2:32pmPaid college in cash? I’m amazed and inspired. David Ramsey would be proud.
Report Post »koyettsu
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:22pmNow if we could get the 40% of lazy people out there to understand this we would be in really good shape.
Report Post »right
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 9:16amGreat story. They came to the USA the same way my grandfather did and made a good life for his family. We welcome you and thank you for your hard work.
Report Post »1956
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 8:29amReminds me of a man here. He & his wife escaped Afghanistan when the Russians had over run the country. He is an educated man. Came to America to build a new life… worked two jobs until he could buy a business (restaurant) & is very successful. He never equivocates about how great America is, & how much he loves this country. When he first came, he spoke a little English, but nothing stopped him from achieving his goals. He radiates love, kindness, and gratefulness. He is an inspiration to all who know him.
Report Post »Alecto
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 8:21amI‘m sure I’ll get flack, but for every story like this, there are 10 others “immigrants” who are cons, frauds, liars, cheaters and are here to suck the teat of the social welfare system. Over the past 10 years, we have averaged 1.2 million legal immigrants per year and about 1 million illegal aliens. Please don’t forget that right now we have 8.2% official unemployment, and 15% underemployment and unemployment.
Do citizens now take a back seat to immigrants? Remember, quality of life is impacted by vast numbers of people. Traffic congestion, housing costs, even things like water are impacted by the jump from 250 million to 300 million. I don’t know about you, but my taxes only go up while opportunity goes down. And, while I’m sure this is a fine, upstanding guy in this article, America is turning into dog-eat-dog because of the vast number of immigrants, both legal and illegal competing for everything. Immigration is not a right, and we don’t have to accept this unlimited open borders nonsense.
We no longer make people speak English – perhaps one of the few unifying features of our country. We don’t force anyone to assimilate. I work with Indian nationals, and they are extremely chauvinistic. Let’s not forget they abort girls in their country just for being girls! Do you think they shut off that thinking when they come here? They believe caste system and are very derogatory towards Americans. Think about this.
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 9:11pmyou’re not wrong, one simply has to look at the welfare lines to see the truth.
Report Post »iwillnotbequiet
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 2:33amEnjoy the LOVE fest…. And welcome.
Report Post »sndrman
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 9:22pmthe harder i work the luckier i get…….i once say a poster i forget where but it said something like this……it showed an older cpl seemed like married at least 50+years and the caption said our generation when something was broken we fixed it…..seemed like the WW2 generation…..what we have now is the 60‘s counter culture where if it’s fixed they’ll break it.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:56pmUmesh and family are the kind of immigrants we need. It doesn’t say he went on welfare, but stayed with friends during the time after his wallet was stolen. When I used to install computer equipment in hotels that were run by Eastern Indians, I saw those Indians would only hire other Indians. I‘m not saying Umesh didn’t work hard, but there’s more to the story.
Report Post »There are a lot of people who don’t want to work 16-18 hours a day, that‘s why they don’t get ahead.
We need immigrants who don‘t immediately apply for welfare and food stamps or have kids before they can get a job and who don’t stay loyal to their home country.
valleyfever
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:32pmWelcome Patel and Aarzu. You are the kind of people that built this country.
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:59pmI agree 1billion %..welcome…and he proves what great thingscan happen wen one comes in the front door too
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:23pmMORE like them. We could all be more like them.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:21pmThese are the kind of immigrants we need. The kind that abide by the law in order to get here, get an education, learn english and have higher job skills other than mowing the grass.
Report Post »TurboCat
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 4:21amSomething wrong with mowing the grass?
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:19pm“Don’t ask for help. Ask for a job.”
This is what I’ve been saying on this site for months. Unfortunately, Beck is focused on charity, which is about “help” not “jobs”. Yeah, yeah, I know he employs over 100 people for Mercury, that’s good. But, the issue is bigger than that. Beck has 100,000 people in town for the purpose of charity, not job creation. That’s the problem.
Instead of sending these people out across Dallas to do charitable things, Beck should have hosted a giant entrepreneurial convention to help create/grow businesses. America needs jobs, not more giving and giving and giving. The last thing the inner cities need are more giving.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:34pmI know, people helping strangers without the government, what’s this country coming coming too.
Report Post »Shellback
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 10:38pmMaybe planting seeds is better.
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:39amKinda thinking you may have missed the point of the Day of Service, Goodstuff.
Day of Service was intended to restore the American spirit of helping each other without the government’s funding or interference. It reminded us to look around to see where help is needed, and then rolling up our sleeves to provide that help.
God bless Glenn. He has an amazing ability to share his vision and motivate others to want to share it with him. Wish I could have been in Dallas to experience it first-hand.
Report Post »celestialfire
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 9:33amgoodstuff, good idea!
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:19pmA Wonderful Story, I must say, thanks Umesh Patel! There are several Patels in my southern city.
Report Post »cindy g
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:58pmWhat an amazing couple. These are the immigrants that hold the future of the success of America in their hands. The immigrants of days past, those who came from Ellis Island to fulfill their longing for peace, security and freedom.
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:55pmI’m happy for them.
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:50pm“There is no scarcity of opportunity in America. [But], there may be scarcity of hard work and honesty. Don’t ask for help. Ask for a job.”
That sums it up perfectly!
Welcome to America, Umesh. God bless you and your family.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:36pmThat is the kind of immigrants we need in America. They are welcome.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:46pmGood for him…… what a great story of SUCCESS.
Report Post »Bejabber
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:56pmSo ture the legal immigrant is not the problem but illegal is.
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:42amGreat story. Welcome to America, Umesh.
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