Meet Ganesh...

1. Why did you leave India?
My job required me to move.

2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Absolutely. I would like to settle down in Chennai and am making plans for that as well.

3. What do you like most about being abroad?
The way things are organised, quality of life. The value people give for life. The notion of enjoying weekends. I have noticed that weekends are very near to festivals here.

4. What do like least about being abroad?
There are three things I hate here,
1) Food
2) Food
3) Food

5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Yes, very much Indeed. I have no intention of bringing up my children abroad. I would like them to learn the excellent culture India posseses. It is indeed a pity most people are moving far from it.

6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
I am a conservative rascal. I will not marry outside my religion.

7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
This is a really tough one. Though I do have political ambitions, It really is a very touch question. I would like to bring about a consensus to see that only people who are educated will take political positions.

8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1. Human Resource
2. Natural Resource
3. Technology

9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1. Education
2. Health
3. Civil Defence

10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
No, The present system is very good and has been working well. We just need a few refinements and that should be it.

11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
This is again a really tough one, because there are so many. Going by the current trends I would say it would be Mr Abdul Kalam, though there are many people including Vikram Sarabhai, Homi Bhabha, Chandrasekhar(Not the politician - Tyndall effect), Kamaraj.

12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
I would think in a way it has affected India as a sporting nation (I follow cricket very religiously, but then who in India does not). More encouragement needs to be given to other sports as well. Children think that cricket is the only sport that will pay well, and that is fair enough on their part. Little is being done for other sports.

13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
1) The Buddha is Smiling (Nuclear Technology)
2) Rohini (Space Technology)
3) Me :)

14. What is your favourite pastime?
Frankly speaking I have not had much of a pastime. But I would say movies.

15. What is your happiest memory?
From recent memory I would say the moment was when I knew I would be travelling to Singapore for a project for Citibank.

16. What's your most memorable journey?
I would rank my tour during my 3 year in college as very good.

17. What is your ultimate food dish?
I come from Tamil Nadu, and to me nothing beats Sambhar Idly and Curd rice.

18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1) Gandhi
2) Nayagan
3) Sound of Music

19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
1) Exodus (Leon Uris)
2) Shall we tell the President? (Jeffrey Archer)
3) Windmills of the Gods (Sidney Sheldon)

20. A message from you to other NRIs
It does not matter if you stay in a land very far from your own, but please spread the message of Indian-ness and Indian culture. Just because you own a foreign citizenship you do not become one. Even if you don't say good things about your motherland, do not thorugh dirt at her. One last things earn lots of money abroad, just see that you pump it back in India !!! Be a proud Indian !