The past 40 days have been a beautiful blend of reconnecting with my roots, engaging in meaningful work, and celebrating life’s joys. Neelam and I immersed ourselves in the warmth, traditions, and vibrancy of India. Here are some highlights of our unforgettable trip:
A Warm Welcome and NAM Team Meetings:
Our journey began with a traditional Kannada welcome by the NAM Info Inc Bangalore team. We also had inspiring meetings with the NAM Chennai and Hyderabad teams, discussing strategies and innovation to propel NAM’s growth.
Spiritual Exploration:
We embarked on a spiritual journey, visiting:
Sai Baba Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Mandir, Shani Shingnapur, Panchvati, Nashik . All places of serene and divine experience, spirituality, tranquil and historic locations steeped in mythology.
Nostalgia in Nashik’s Villages:
Sipping freshly made sugarcane juice from a bull-powered machine in a Nashik village brought back memories of simpler times and showcased the charm of rural life.
Adventures in Delhi:
In Delhi, I had a unique experience riding “Shahenshah,” an electric rickshaw. It was an exciting and eco-friendly adventure that highlighted sustainable innovation.
Strengthening Connections:
I reunited with my DCM friends, some after decades. These emotional and joyful meetups were filled with laughter and shared memories. A meeting with the ITServe Alliance team in Hyderabad was a surreal moment.
Key Meetings and Collaborative Opportunities:
During the trip, I had the privilege of meeting:
Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of CDOT, and Dr. Arumugam Murukiah, Managing Partner at SIEMENS and TANSAM COE, B V Naidu, Chairman of KDEM and founder of StartupXceed Venture. Sudhakar Balakrishnan, Founder and Group CEO of First Meridian. Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director at ESC, where we explored opportunities for collaboration between Indian and US businesses.
Experiencing Innovation:
My visits to hashtagCDOT and hashtagTANSAM left me inspired by innovations happening in India’s tech ecosystem.
Grand Indian Weddings:
We attended three grand Indian weddings, each a spectacle of color, music, and flavor. The food was unforgettable, with over 300 dishes at one wedding alone. The multi-day celebrations were truly extraordinary.
Family Reunions:
An emotional reunion with my siblings and their children was a highlight of the trip. These moments of connection and love are treasures for life.
Christmas Joy:
We returned just in time to celebrate Christmas with our grandson in New Jersey, bringing the journey full circle with family and festive cheer.
This trip was a perfect blend of work, spirituality, family, and celebration, reaffirming our timeless connection to India and its boundless possibilities.
On September 18, 2024, I had the privilege of joining over 70 fellow ITServe members for our second in-person Capitol Hill Day. It was a surreal experience walking through the halls of power, meeting with lawmakers, and sharing our personal stories of how we achieved the American Dream through hard work and innovation.
