My forefathers left Surat many years ago but they have maintained business ties with India. Though my grandfather and my mother travel regularly to India, this is my first visit. I have always wanted to come to India and on my 21st birthday, I asked for a trip to India as my birthday gift. I always felt connected to India as I dress like an Indian and we eat Indian food at home.
I applied for this programme as I wanted to see my roots in India. There is no confusion in my mind about who I am. I am proud to be an Indian but I am South African too; an Indian-South African.
The moment I landed in India, I felt very proud. Other than the traffic, everything about India is very beautiful. I also found that Indian youth are more modern than I had imagined them to be, and that was a culture shock to me!
I went to Surat and met a lot of my relatives. I want to come back again by the end of this year to learn a lot more about India.
Image: Radha Heera, a student from South Africa.
Also see: PIO professionals can practice in India: PM at PBD
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