It was an honor and privilege to arrive to this country 16 years ago with almost no money in my pocket. A lot has happened since then.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
But, finally, I just realized a few years ago that this is where I belonged. I mean everything I had was invested here, emotionally and every other way. And the country had invested enormously in me.
I still make sure to go, at least once every year, to a country where things cannot be taken for granted, and where there is either too much law and order or too little.
I am an Australian citizen, and I miss my country a great deal.
And then I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to China in 1980, which was quite early.
It began to dawn on me that perhaps my country needed me more at home than overseas.
My youth passed at the time of the country's reconstruction from the ruins and ashes of the war in which my nation never bowed to the enemy paying the highest price in the struggle.
I had to do something for the country.
But 17 years ago, I arrived at CNN with a suitcase, with my bicycle, and with about 100 dollars.
I returned to India after long years of international service, because I had always cherished the desire to make a difference in my own country.
I was unwelcome in the U.S. for four years.