2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Definitely. India is the future. Ideally - I would live in Bangalore, home and gardens.

3. What do you like most about being abroad?
The quality of life and the exposure to international cultures. Lesser crime and corruption.

4. What do like least about being abroad?
The fact that you know you don't belong here and your real home is back home.

5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
I prefer to maintain a balance between an Indian environment and an international one.

6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
It is no concern as long as there is mental compatibility to complement each other in society. My parents had an inter-caste marriage - my family has atleast 4 inter-caste marriages including different nationalities - like Japan.

7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
President Kalam has a vision of India developed by 2020. I want to realise that dream. Education and de-corruption would top my list.

8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
The blend of knowledge and understanding we possess is in human understanding relative to other nations. And in some areas, the balance between rural and urban life.

9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
Selfishness amongst politicians. Everyone wants a piece of the cake. It's time to stop looting and start sharing. 1 billion people complain of dirt in the government - not even one thousand is willing to go up there and clean it up?

10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
Difficult to answer. Even a president might be corrupt in the future.

11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
APJ Abdul Kalam. He could have easily gone abroad and made millions working for NASA. He preferred to reap the crops in his own field.

12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
We are immensely passionate about it. Cricket is integral to our nature - nothing in our natural selves can hurt us.

13. What do you think are India's greatest achievements since Independence? (max 3)?
Extensive use of technology (Cellular, Internet, etc). Some kind of financial stability in the recent past.

14. What is your favourite pastime?
Tough to answer - Table Tennis and Music.

15. What is your happiest memory?
When India came back to defeat England in the Natwest Trophy final - beats all the other times I've been happy.

16. What's your most memorable journey?
The drive from Bandipur to Ooty among the forest. Made we wonder what am I doing in blazing Dubai?

17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Puliyodurai (traditional rice) and Curd Rice.

18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
1. Dil Chahta Hai.
2. Hera Pheri
3. Swades

19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
the Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Topax - Leon Uris
Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

20. A message from you to other NRIs
It is not necessary for us to be IN India to help it grow. As we have duties towards our family, we have a duty towards the nation - to help build a better future for the Indians yet to be born. Let us focus and realise this dream and be remembered as the generation of Indians that made a difference to the nation.

- Sandil

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