1. Why did you leave India?
Cannot exactly tell now...but was for a feeling to achieve something.
2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Yes. Hometown...Ahmedabad.
3. What do you like most about being abroad?
Amazing infrastructure, realizing how good it can be if everyone did the right thing. Ease of opportunity that allows you to be confident of yourself.
4. What do like least about being abroad?
Lack of family, non-Indian culture, lack of non-monetary, self fulfilment goals.
5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Yes.because in the long run, I believe that my kids would be very rich and successful individuals who are less happy and content.
6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
I am in that situation and have to tell you that it could be challenging at times. Unless partners are matured and see things eye to eye...it could be a disaster.
7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Concentrate on building infrastructure.
8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1. Population (largest retail market, human resource)
2. Cultural diversity (openness to anything)
3. Spiritual touch across the board
9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1. Influx of wrong people into government
2. Communism
3. Lack of morals on small scale
10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Don't really know...problem is in execution and not what type government it is.
11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
N. Murthy.
12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
No. It has taken focus of all other sports and activities.
13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
1. Space program
2. Green revolution
3. Education
14. What is your favourite pastime?
Reading, debating, growing mind and soul.
15. What is your happiest memory?
Being with my family at any random get togethers.
16. What's your most memorable journey?
Visiting Western USA with my parents and wife.
17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Sourashtrians thali.
18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1. Gandhi
2. Nayak
3. Hungama
19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
1. Autobiography of Gandhi - Mahatma Gandhi
2. Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Be Indian..dont just think about it...DO SOMETHING FOR THE COUNTRY...Remember..10-20yrs from now, moving back to India would be a common thing..so the only thing that would make us feel like we deserve a place there would be if we did something for it now...!!
Meet Srihari Mulgund. He currently lives in Toledo, Ohio, USA.
Published - June, 2002
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The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.