2. Do you plan to return to India to settle down?
Yes, Mumbai (my home-town).

3. What do you like most about being abroad?
Good money, very well organised, less stress.

4. What do like least about being abroad?
Being away from my family.

5. Would you be concerned about raising your family outside India?
No.

6. What are your thoughts about marrying outside your immediate community, someone who speaks a different language or practices a different religion?
No problems, I've already done it!

7. What would be the first thing you would do if you became the Prime Minister of India?
Fill my pockets! And then make India a militarily powerful (nuclear) nation, reclaim the whole of Kashmir and the lost territories of India (occupied by Bangladesh, China and Pakistan).

8. What do you think are India's greatest strengths?(max 3)
Culture.

9. What do you think are the biggest problems facing India? (max 3)
Corruption, poverty, lack of a great leader.

10. Do you think that a presidential form of government would better serve the needs of India's democracy?
No – a presidential form of government will be like having military rule.

11. For whom do you have the highest regard amongst living Indians?
None.

12. Do you think that the national obsession with Cricket has helped or has it hurt India as a sporting nation?
It has helped by making sports popular overall.

13. What do you think are India's greatest achievement since Independence (max 3)?
Population (!), IT manpower.

14. What is your favourite pastime?
Listening to music, getting hold of IT related info.

15. What is your happiest memory?
The day my girlfriend proposed to me.

16. What's your most memorable journey?
Honeymoon in Goa.

17. What is your ultimate food dish?
Karela and any fish item.

18. What are your favourite movies? (max 3)
Any science fiction movie; Star Wars, Fifth Element.

19. What are your favourite books (please list authors as well)? (max 3)
Tintin and Asterix comics.

20. A message from you to other NRIs
Don't forget your country and your culture. Don't become too westernised!

- Oliver Pereira in London, UK

The views of this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily represent the views of NRI Online.