30 years in India, but grew up in NZ

Ah, life -- fantastic life. A journey that is so colourful. I spent 30 years in India -- I went to school, college, management, professional development, career, children, life experiences, everything in India. But then, why do I say that I grew up in New Zealand, in my last 8 years here?



SIMPLE! Arguably, we Indians (God bless us!) come from a very protective, sheltered backgrounds. Our parents are always there for us. (it does not mean that they are not here for NZ children). But, it's different in India. Our parents take care of us, give us education (in most cases atleast until university level as that is the minimum criteria for any jobs in India). In some cases, like mine, they provide support (both emotionally and financially until you get a further management degree), support you in the same way through your marriage and then they leave you to fly! All because we want change...





Fly we do! Sometimes to distant lands, where we are suddenly thrown into a 'REAL' world! A world that is pretty different to our upbringing.

We no longer find the 'security' that we have been so used to in India, the sheltered lives suddenly get shattered --- when we have to do our own chores (no maids to run errands, wash our laundry, our dishes, iron our clothes, take our children to schools...). When we get ignored at our jobs, and find many qualified, highly experienced, educated Indians working in supermarkets and driving taxis. When we'd be lucky to even find a job.

We end up feeling all alone in this 'new' world -- where everything is very exciting, but comes with its own challenges. It's adventurous, it's fun, but it is frightening. As a Kiwi Indian, I can definitely tell you that its a very scary feeling.

When you are thrown in a world like this -- you grow up! As I did! Finally in my 8 years here.

Lucky, Kiwis have a great sense of humour and are highly creative...watch this fantastic ad:

Dr Kiran Bedi, my HERO

My subject today is a very serious one. Serious because, we are talking about someone as special as India's first female Police Office, Kiran Bedi, who was conferred a doctorate for her achievement and her contribution to society. Also serious because we normally bring tongue-in-cheek accounts of our experiences to you.

Global Village Unlimited, is known to align itself to quality projects. Projects that are of high value to our customers. Such projects commercially successful for all concerned. Every now and again, we get involved with projects that are not only the epitome of quality, but they speak a thousand language with their beautifully fabricated but real and powerful stories. Getting involved with a quality film made my Australian Film maker, Megan Doneman, YES, MADAM SIR, based on Dr Kiran Bedi's story is one such example.

We are proud of our alignment, as we were with bringing in FIRAAQ, the award winning film by Nandita Das, and co-written by a Indian born Kiwi writer Shuchi Kothari. Such people add a fifth dimension to our lives.

Tonight we have the pleasure of taking Megan Doneman out to dinner, and we are looking forward to finding out what makes someone from another country, make a film about a personality such as Dr Bedi, -- and spend 6 years making it! That is one big task!

Well it is a woman's world after all, as says Simi Grewal.

More tomorrow ...

Oh, how I hate the letters W and V

Ah, as an Indian, living in New Zealand, there is nothing more I "hate" than being introduced to someone with their names starting with the letter W or V.

Little do we Indians know that we actually pronounce our W's as V's and our V's as W's! Frightening, isn't it?

In one of my jobs here, I had an HR Manager by the name Vicky Wilson. I was introduced to her and ofcourse not knowing what you don't know, I was happy calling out her to her by her much used (and common name). Only to be hear constant giggles in the background. One day, not being able to handle it any longer, I asked my colleagues what the story was.

And then it came out, ...how I pronounced Vicky Wilson, as Wicky Vilson! Go, figure! Do we care? Nah. Not really. Does she care? Not sure.She probably feels special that she gets called something that people remember once I have been introduced to her! ah! but besides that, I don't think so.!

But,just know that if you are talking to a Vicky, or Raewyn, or a William, and you get stared at, or hear giggles in the background -- its nothing to worry about! It's just your W and V, that is upside down....just like the rest of the world.