1.Why did you leave India?
Studies and also to realise my own potential! Have to get out of your comfort zone to see how you react to situations without your loved ones around you. You then build that inner belief in yourself to realise anything is possible!
2.Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
One day!I endeavour to see that day soon!Where? Bangalore for sure!!!
3.What do you like most about being abroad?
Independence,Non scrutinising eye from people around you, appreciate your motherland more.
4.What do like least about being abroad?
Isolated living, my kids miss out on the time with their grandparents.
5.Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Yes! Wouldn't be as concerned if we had mine/my wife's parents living with us or in the same city as us here. The kids would learn a lot of manners, respect, culture etc from them. Its good to have elders in the house. They will teach you to...Never go against the family- God father.
6.What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
Marriage is about two people who can understand each other well enough to spend their entire life knowing their partner is their for them.language, culture, religion does play an important part but understanding each other is more important that anything else.
7.What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Give incentives to all NRI to return or contribute their ideas, services, expertise in some way back to India.
8.What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
a. Its people - we may criticise at times but can't hear others saying one thing against India.
b. Its ability to be the economic power one day.
c. Hard workers and smart workers. We all know how to survive and know our way around in this world.
9.What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
a. Corrupt political system - I feel it is changing - I know some people are going..yeah right!
b. Again, its people - we need to find differences amongst ourselves to fight about something.
c. Poverty and illiteracy
10.Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Hard to say! However, what it does need is a big shake up! Ones who can't survive it fall off the system and there may be some who will wake up to themselves.
11.For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
a. Dr Abdul kalam
b. All Indian billionaire who are putting India back on the map
c. IPL committee!
12.Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
Ofcourse helped. We stand shoulder to shoulder and the obsession turns to unity! It is bringing us together. How can it be bad!
13.What do you think are India's greatest achievement since Independence (max 3)?
a. We have become an economic power.
b. Twenty 20 world cup victory.
c. Bollywood .
14.What is your favourite pastime?
The day I became a dad.
15.What is your happiest memory?
Spending time with family.
16.What's your most memorable journey?
Geneva - Mumbai - Bangalore. If you ever meet me, ask me about it, it will take me a day to narrate! It was a journey of a lifetime.Crime, lies, experience, helpful people, terrible people a mixture of good, bad and ugly!
17.What is your ultimate food dish?
Mum's biryani.
18.What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
a. Yeh Dil kya Kare - ajay devgan and kajol
b. Ram teri ganga meli
c. Munna Bhai
19.What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
a. Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
b. Rich dad poor dad - Robert Kiyosaki
c. Think and grow rich - Napoleon Hill
20.A message from you to other NRIs
Everyone's situation is different but one thing in common is that we are indian at heart. We have strong feelings for our culture, people, nation and cricket! lets accept all indian as indian in India like we do when we are overseas. I encourage everyone who is thinking of leaving india to do so because it will help you appreciate what you have back in India and one day when you head back, it will be because you want to be in india not because someone is pleading to stay back. Of course, Lets support IPL!
Meet Srihari Mulgund. He currently lives in Toledo, Ohio, USA.
Published - June, 2002
Participate in 20-Questions
The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.