Going abroad wasn't my aspiration - it just happened. After graduation, my Professor encouraged me to pursue higher studies abroad; my first boss in profession offered to help and asked not to stop at Bachelor's degree. I somehow paid heed to neither. But it is now 20 years since my maiden footing abroad. Destiny? Singapore is where I reside now 

I do have fresh memories of my first flying experience abroad by Air India, when one learns of the jam/butter packets sealed with Fevicol. The flight was delayed by several hours and my pickup arrangement at Tokyo was spoilt. Following my next seat neighbour who seemed very experienced in travel, I secured a free night's stay in a hotel in Tokyo and managed to find the way to my

destination the next morning

I strongly believe that life is not always (or just) measured by wealth and S but also by richness of experiences. While outward migration from India in the past decades were for education and wealth, with huge opportunities for prosperity within the country now, the next wave of outbound travel would be for experiences learnings and ideas, not for $, in my view. As in everyone's life, I had my share of "WoW!"moments SURPRISES, LEARNINGS SHOCKS in my travels and encounters.

It is heartening to note that Indian businessmen are beginning to acquire companies globally. If the current century is going to be that of Asians, it would be vital for us all to reach a stage of gaining tural respect as was done by the European conquerors and the American entrepreneurs.