1. Why did you leave India?
For Higher Education.
2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Yes, once I finish my studies...
I love Kolkata.
3. What do you like most about being abroad?
Good quality of life affordable to everyone.
4. What do like least about being abroad?
No-one has the time to think for others... feel is far off.
5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Yes.. I don't want my kids to say "I don't care" or "Whatever "!!!!.
6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
I think, the language is harder to deal with because you can express yourself best in your own language.
7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Try to change socio-economic structure of India.
8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1) People's awareness about the importance of education
2) Unity in Diversity
3) Population
9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1) Corruption
2) Population
3) As a student I would like to say...the evaluation schemes used by Indian universities
10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Anything other than collision govt should work. (pun intended ?!)
11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
Dr. Amartya Sen.
12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
I don't think so.
13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
1) Technical media attention & International Collaboration
2) Somewhat self sufficiency
3) Emerged as 4th most powerful economy in Asia
14. What is your favourite pastime?
Listening to music, cooking or... just doing nothing...
15. What is your happiest memory?
Arranging my grandpa's 75th Birthday Party...
16. What's your most memorable journey?
Flight to New York... watching the topography of Iceland, Alps etc.. reminded me the pictures from Atlas.
17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Pani-puri = golgappa = fuchka. known by different names in different parts of india... but i always crave for them...... & didn't have a single one for more than a yr!!!!!!!
18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1. DDLJ
2. Titanic
19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
To Sir With Love.
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Every country has it's good & bad sides... if you find any Indian talking only about the bad things in India... please stop him/her ! Make him/her understand it's neither good for him nor for INDIA & other Indians abroad!
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.