The Hindu Business Line : Admirers galore across America

Even before I could conclude answering in the affirmative, the gentleman shot the next question: "What is the plant that is now grown in India for bio-diesel?"

"Jajjjj jatropha," was the reply but even before that could be completed, he began seeking more details on where it is grown and other details.

"See, someone known to me wants to invest in the bio-diesel plant. We are looking for more details. I am an Indian who is a certified public accountant or what you call a chartered accountant in India," the person said and identified himself as Devendra Peer.

Soon, he was gone thrusting his business card and requesting for more details on jatropha.

The talk took me in the wrong direction and when I started moving in the right direction, there was a Washington-based lady now with a request to know the venue of the breakfast session at the Biotechnology Industry Organisation convention.

"Please come with me. I will show you the way, but midway, I have to go to my press conference venue," I said.

"You are from India?" the lady asked. "Oh! Nice country. From which part of India are you?" she asked and got "Chennai or Madras in the South" as reply.

"I have a friend who goes there every year. Even I have been wanting to go," she said. The conversation got over there as the Hilton approached and the woman was helped to the breakfast venue.

Within another 12 hours, there was this young Indian lady who confronted me with the same question "Are you from India?" in front of Sheraton University City Hotel. On finding she was indeed talking to a guy who is also a journalist from India, she said: "Hi! I am Neetu Anand. I have a friend who has got a project and is talking to a few people on it. Can you find time to meet him?"

But as I had to leave Philadelphia the next morning, she bid goodbye promising to call home on returning to India.

The Biotechnology Industry Organisation convention also saw India being a country of focus.

"I have been to Mumbai and Hyderabad in India. And I love masala dosa," said Ashraf Amin, a journalist from Egypt. And the functioning of the Andhra Pradesh Government offices during the Chandrababu Naidu regime seems to have impressed him.

"I am looking to visit India, but I don't have that much leave. My friends have visited Delhi and Nepal and have wonderful stories to narrate. I will certainly make it to India," said Javier Gonzalez, a journalist from Spain.

There was also another journalist Anca Aldea from Romania who particularly wants to visit Kerala.

Most people in the US one came across have something nice to say about India or want to visit the country.

Dr Eric Sachs of Monsanto also has some kind words to say after visiting India in May. "But I got sick on the day I boarded the flight to return home," he said.

India is attracting attention for various things, including for its agricultural production, ayurveda and yoga.

"India has got huge sugarcane crop. It has got great agricultural assets," said DuPont's John P. Ranieri.

"I am told all Indians know yoga. Do you?" embarrassed Hsiu-Chin Lin from Taiwan. She is going for yoga classes back home and seems to be bowled over by it.

On way back home, one came across a Belgium lady returning to India for a visit after 25 years. "I am going to Ladakh," she said before listing out Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra and New Delhi, among the places she visited in 1980.

"India is a nice country and I like it," she said.

A University of Kentucky professor was all praise for Indian students and even a fellow-professor. "You guys are hardworking," he said in admiration.

India and Indians now seem to command respect across the globe.

And the icing on the cake was the Namaste from an airline staff in Frankfurt airport on seeing the Indian passport.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Scene of deluge

Sea incursion

In troubled waters

25 pay channels launched since December 2003

Discovery Channel's bid to reach more homes

Admirers galore across America

Safexpress to distribute new Harry Potter book in India

Cartoon