Taking The Road Less Traveled

Name: Robert Kleinschmidt

Designation: MD-APAC and Japan, Panduit Singapore

Frequency of visits to India: I've visited India a number of times. My first
visit was 11-years ago. I have lost count of my visits but it must be over 25
times till date. I try to visit the country at least three times a year to spend
time with our employees, partners, and customers. I've been to Mumbai, Pune,
Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and even managed a wonderful visit to the Taj Mahal.

What I like about India: I really enjoy the food. I have to admit that when I
first visited India, I wasn't so keen on Indian food, but over the years I have
not only learned to like it, but now I thoroughly enjoy it. I also like Indians
who are so friendly and have an immense quest to learn new things.

What I dislike about India: The traffic. This is of course an issue all large
cities face but I can see things getting worse in India, which can only be
reversed if infrastructure build-out can outpace economic growth. I just wish
that someday, I could get a smooth ride across India on my Harley. I also
dislike the odd return flight times from India to Singapore, which requires me
to fly overnight.

One thing about India that stuck to my mind: It was during my last trip. I
was with an Indian who had spent considerable time in the US. We were driving to
Mumbai from Pune in his Mercedes, along the highway between the two cities just
as the sun was setting amongst the hills. We were both sitting quietly for about
15 minutes listening to Brazilian and South African music as we cruised down the
road at a comfortable 120kph. Suddenly we both started to speak and realized
both of us have been thinking about the same thing: Here we are, an Indian and
American, sitting in a German car, cruising down a highway in India, listening
to Brazilian and South African music thinking 'How the world has changed!'

What I look forward to in India: I look forward to exploring more of India. I
want to go out of the hustle and bustle of the city and see what lies outside of
the 'concrete jungles'. That's why I like riding motorcycle so much. I can leave
the highway and take the less traveled roads to see what so many others have
never explored.

Vinita Bhatia

vinitavs@cybermedia.co.in