Meet Aman Dev...

1. Why did you leave India?
I wanted to see the world, for more money, to learn and use advanced tech.
I have to admit I wanted to meet foreign women !! - India can be stifling in many ways and there is a lot of inertia.

2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Dunno. Probably Mumbai,Bangalore,Goa,Chennai - somewhere along the coast with beaches and a relaxed lifestyle...

3. What do you like most about being abroad?
The Pay. Opportunity to use advanced tech, freer and a wider range of options (Indians can be very indifferent to some things.. major league...)

4. What do like least about being abroad?
The difficulty of socialising. It is one of the best aspects of India. Over here I know some people who manage couple of years without meeting anybody..

5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
No. Schooling is usually okay. But I think college in india can be good. On and off campus life is great. Indian tolerance can be quite good for grads in those formative years ( can keep them off trouble)

6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
None but I assume a common language is spoken and religious tolerance practised.

7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Reduce or stabilize the population. Plan the growth of towns (India has some beautiful towns) and start some sort of INDIAN RENNAISSANCE.

8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
Tolerance. There is a lot of talent that needs to be found and exposed to global forces

9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
Population.( 1 b +)
Poverty
Pollution (Phew).

10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Dunno but the present system needs to be honed.

11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
IT people-Murthy,Premji,Bhatia,V.Dham..
Entrepreneurs - Ambani,Mittal,Oberois..
Sport heroes -Tendulkar,Kapil,Gavaskar..
Movie stars,Miss worlds, some politicians ...

12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
Dunno - Are you saying that if it was not for cricket India would be better at other sports - I dont think so..India would be less visible...

13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
Nuclear status
Successes in "Made in India" Technology
Improvements in foods, health and basic infrastructure

14. What is your favourite pastime?
Lazing,travel,do-it-yourself stuff, cruising,thinking up projects.

15. What is your happiest memory?
My parents were quite well off and hence I usually enjoyed myself most of the time. But I really enjoyed a trip from Bangalore to Goa with my college mates.

16. What's your most memorable journey?
A train trip from Bangalore to Goa with my collegemates.(we were a bit wild..)

17. What is your ultimate food dish?
I like foods from all over now. But I still have a spot for Biryani,Tandoor and curries..

18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
The 007 Bond ones
Blade Runner
I love Hindi movie songs and like the movie stars but they need better scripts.

19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
-Ency. of the Mind ( a British author)
-Kama Sutra - not just for the usual bits but I think it is a good description of his times and I think the author,Vatsyayana, could have written a good book on any other subject . And dont you think it remarkable that the book suvived these thousands of years .. AWESOME !!!
- I also like many HOW-TO books and Encys..

20. A message from you to other NRIs
India CAN be changed. We need to transplant and adapt the best from all over the world. Rapid advances can be made quickly if we all chip in. We have all the ingredients, now we want to make it the envy of the world.