1. Why did you leave India?
To be free to work in a professional competitive environment offering development to the deserving.
2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Yes eventually. I would settle in Mumbai or Pune.
3. What do you like most about being abroad?
Enjoying a much better quality of life with easy access to all services that make life worth living.
4. What do like least about being abroad?
Miss my Mumbai Nukkad mates, vada pav, Kala Khatta, and chasing BEST Buses which kept me fit.
5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Not really.
6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
No problem as far as language, caste etc. Religion can be tricky as both partners would have to be lot more understanding.
7.What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Eradicate Corruption, provide better health services. Education for all.
8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1. Cultural Diversity
2. Democracy
3. IT Revolution
9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1. Corruption.
2. Population Explosion.
3. Lack of Patriotism shown by all Faiths.
10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Yes, if the President is directly elected by and accountable to the people.
11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
1. Baba Amte.
2. Jashwantiben Popat (Lijjat Founder).
3. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
No. Atleast it is one sport that has survived despite the system and the antics of BCCI.
13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
1. Green Revolution for food sufficiency.
2. Indian Education System.
3. Indian Space Program.
14. What is your favourite pastime?
Reading anything and everything I can lay my hands on.
15. What is your happiest memory?
Witnessing the birth of my daughter after which I have never felt alone in a foreign land.
16. What's your most memorable journey?
Hiking from Neral to Matheran in a group of 35 people (33 Females + 2 males). The 2 males were my mate and me.
17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Home cooked Daal Chawal, Masala Bhindi and a tall glass of Lassi and Hot Chapattis.
18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1. The Legend of Bhagat Singh.
2. Sarfarosh.
3. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.
19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
1. India 2020 - A P J Abdul Kalam.
2. We the People - Nani Palkhiwala.
3. Teachings of Shankaracharya Chandrashekharendra Saraswati of Kanchi.
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Be Happy Always. Be Indian Always. Make your country proud.
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Carry on the good work and remain united in foreign lands.
1.Why did you leave India?
To be free to work in a professional competitive environment offering development to the deserving.
2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Yes eventually. I would settle in Mumbai or Pune.
3. What do you like most about being abroad?
Enjoying a much better quality of life with easy access to all services that make life worth living.
4.What do like least about being abroad?
Miss my Mumbai Nukkad mates, vada pav, Kala Khatta, and chasing BEST Buses which kept me fit.
5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
Not really.
6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
No problem as far as language, caste etc. Religion can be tricky as both partners would have to be lot more understanding.
7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Eradicate Corruption, provide better health services. Education for all.
8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
1. Cultural Diversity
2. Democracy
3. IT Revolution
9.What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
1. Corruption.
2. Population Explosion.
3. Lack of Patriotism shown by all Faiths.
10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Yes, if the President is directly elected by and accountable to the people.
11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
1. Baba Amte.
2. Jashwantiben Popat (Lijjat Founder).
3. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
No. Atleast it is one sport that has survived despite the system and the antics of BCCI.
13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
1. Green Revolution for food sufficiency.
2. Indian Education System.
3. Indian Space Program.
14. What is your favourite pastime?
Reading anything and everything I can lay my hands on.
15. What is your happiest memory?
Witnessing the birth of my daughter after which I have never felt alone in a foreign land.
16. What's your most memorable journey?
Hiking from Neral to Matheran in a group of 35 people (33 Females + 2 males). The 2 males were my mate and me.
17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Home cooked Daal Chawal, Masala Bhindi and a tall glass of Lassi and Hot Chapattis.
18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1. The Legend of Bhagat Singh.
2. Sarfarosh.
3. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.
19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
1. India 2020 - A P J Abdul Kalam.
2. We the People - Nani Palkhiwala.
3. Teachings of Shankaracharya Chandrashekharendra Saraswati of Kanchi.
20. A message from you to other NRIs
Be Happy Always. Be Indian Always. Make your country proud.
21. A message from you to other NRIs
Carry on the good work and remain united in foreign lands.
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.