1. Why did you leave India?
To find whether it is true that other lands are better than India
2.Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Hmmmm... not made my mind till now. If I plan to return: I would live in Hyderabad / Bangalore / Delhi.
3.What do you like most about being abroad?
Independence.
4.What do like least about being abroad?
Loneliness.
5.Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
hmmmmm.. Yes
6.What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
Don't mind just respect other's feelings.
7.What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
It sounds nice, first become the Dictator of India and wipe out all the unorderliness... But you see, that's what I call a perfect Utopia... Hmmmmm anyway, I don't think my life time is enough for the task.
8.What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1) Rich and diverse cultures
9.What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1) Politicians
2) Red tapism
3) Poverty
10.Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Nope.
11.For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
Sachin Tendulkar - Keeping people happy at least a couple of times in a year irrespective of their problems. Kudos to Sachin's splendid skills.
12.Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
No comments. I generally don't follow cricket.
13.What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
Liberalization.
14.What is your favourite pastime?
Reading, poetry, & music.
15.What is your happiest memory?
Flight to the new world.
16.What's your most memorable journey?
Journey of my life.
17.What is your ultimate food dish?
Palak Paneer and naan.
18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1) Gladiator
2) Casino
3)Sholay
19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
1) Brief History of Time (Stephen Hawking)
2) Cain and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
3) Jonathan Livingston Seagull : A story by Richard Bach
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Do not forget your culture and be an Indian at heart, wherever you are!!
Meet Ajaya K Chilumula.He currently resides in New York, USA.
Published - December 2001
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The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.