1. How is it you don't seem to have problems communicating in english ?

Even though I was born in India and lived there until I came to Bates (when I was 18) communicating in English has never been a problem. The reason for this is that I attended a school (for 14 years, starting when I was four!) where the medium of instruction was English. I was taugh everything from Math to History in english. In fact, I even spoke with some of my friends in English. There are actually numerous such schools in the Indian cities. In more rural areas such schools are rare and nearly all the schools use some Indian language as a medium of instruction.

2. How did you end up at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine ?

Well, to select colleges to apply to I used the U.S. news rankings, the Barons guide, the Petersons guide and other similar texts were the exact ones used here in the U.S. I eneded up applying to a number of colleges (10-12 I think...) and Bates featured among them. The reason Bates appeared on the list was due to its reputaion as a good Liberal arts institution. In the end I did get offers from some other colleges, but Bates provided me with the best financial pakage. I know thats hardly a good yardstick to use when picking schools ... but I didn't really have much of an option. I have had no reasons to regret my decision though. I had a really good time at Bates.

In case you're wondering why I get asked this question ... well, Bates is where I spent 3 years pursuing a B.S. in Physics and Math.

3. So whats this `arranged marriage' deal in India ?

Though this tradition is starting to die out I must admit it is still very predominant in numerous families. Especially those in rural areas. The idea is simple, when your parents decide its time for you go get married they pick out a
bride/bridegroom for you. You then end up marrying someone you may have never even seen or met before. Now this is a extremely simplified explanation of this rather complex tradition. So take it with a grain of salt. For example, you parents may allow you to refuse some of their offers. So you can, to some extent, pick who you like
though it may be from a selection of complete stangers. So how could this possibly work you ask ? Well, amazingly enough far less divorces occur in India in comparison to the U.S.A. (for example). This has other reasons behind it too. Divorce is a procedure that is ostrasized in most parts of Indian socity so people feel a social pressure to stay together, lest they lose the respect of their friends and family.

4. So are you going to have an arranged marriage ?

No. Not a chance. Why ? Well, I think its a crazy idea in today's society and its unfair to both parities involved (the ones getting married). I feel its especially an injustice to women since they are often completely ignored in the deciesion making process. Only if the groom is lucky does he sometimes get a say in the matter. I don't this is acceptable.

5. What are you up to these days ?

At the moment I'm at Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey) pusuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science. I finished my Masters degree about a year ago (in June '97) and the past year I have been looking for a topic to concentrate on for my dissertation.  I think I've found what I'm looking for but I still need to decide on some
specifics.

6. How do you like Grad. School ?

That depends on when I get asked this question, I would be cursing it in the middle of Feburary. For the most part, I like it a lot. Its very busy (Obviously not right now ... I wouldn't be typing in this silly crap if I was busy ;-). At the moment I still have that fascination for Computer Science so its still a novelty. We'll see what happens once it
wears off.

7. Are you going to return to India once your education is `complete' ?

I have no idea. However, I have to admit that as time goes by it seems unlikely my skills will be very useul in India.  There is a lot of opprtunity for people in Computer Science in India.  The problem is that the research angle is extremely neglected.  Most companies have little or no investment in R & D.