I came in 1971 for a two-fold reason. First, I wanted a higher education; I wanted to get my masters. And second is because I wanted to get away form a corrupt organization where I worked. Many of my co-workers were accepting bribes, and being an honest person, I couldn't do it.
Are there any religious reasons why you came?
Not directly. But indirectly “yes” because my religion and beliefs
did not allow me to take advantage of others and taught me to be an honest
person. Therefore, I needed to leave my job in India.
Was your intention to stay in America or return to India?
I wanted to come to America, study, get a job, make money, and then
go back to India. I ended up staying in America for many reasons.
Firstly, my education took me a longer time to finish. By that time,
my children were growing up and were attached to the society. I also
stalled going back to India because I was afraid I might not find a comfortable
job or position there. Plus, my whole family was attracted to the
materialistic world and thought India was backwards.
How did you retain your belief in the Hindu religion?
There were no temples around at that time. I went to a temple
for the first time after five or six years in this country. It was
the Hare Krishna temple in Brooklyn. But wherever I stayed, I made
myself a small temple where I prayed or meditated at least twice a day
or after a bath.
You have never touched alcohol, tobacco, or any other drug in
all of your life, even after you came to America. Was religion a
major factor in this decision?
No, the Hindu religion does tell us not to indulge in those things
but that is not the main one. It is mostly because of family tradition
and my own personal reasons.
I consider you to be a pretty religious person, however, your
two adult children seem to be the complete opposite. Why do you think
that occurred?
I wasn't always this religious. In my younger year, I prayed,
celebrated religious holidays, and went to temple because of tradition
more than religion. During my children's formative years, I was not
able to spend time I forcing them to go the temple or learn from the religious
texts because I was so busy. Traditionally the wife would take care
of the religious upbringing of children, but my wife was also busy working.
Lastly, a general question--The Hindu community is considered the model
minority. Why do you think that is?
I think education, talent, and religion, in that order, are the reasons.
We came strictly based on skilled labor; certain people were not allowed to
come. These people that come are educated and have talent. Religion
helps the people survive in America by keeping them from getting swept away
in the materialistic world. Our religion tells us to take care of each
other and share their wealth. However, religion will not help us become
successful. The Hindu religion has never said to not make money, but
not at the cost of religious beliefs; it says to be content and not to step
on anyone's toes when reaching for success.
