“I had a kidney transplant so I take meds that weaken my immune system, which makes me worried sick about the ongoing pandemic. And I usually take precautions, like wearing gloves, but today I forgot them. That’s what happens when you work so hard. I practically have no social life in Japan. My fellow IndianContinue reading
“We’re shooting a TV commercial today. I’m supposed to get punched in the face so I’m not so excited about that. In the past, I used to get cooler roles, like an oil tycoon from the Middle East. They say I look oil rich with my mustache. I don’t do this full-time. Today just happensContinue reading
“He’s very shy. He won’t even let me take his picture with my phone, let alone a stranger. But his older sister’s not camera shy. Actually, she’s inside this building, auditioning for a TV commercial role as we speak. We’re from India and I’ve been living in Japan for 13 years. Both of my kidsContinue reading
Size Doesn’t Matter
“My whole life, I have been body-shamed for being too small for my age. After graduation, I had an interview with a radio station, and it went well. But then they told me the position wasn’t available to someone like me. They said I was too small. At first, I thought they were referring toContinue reading Size Doesn’t Matter
Bootstrapping
“When I shared my idea to start a website and bring Indian rural art to Japan, most people laughed at me. They laughed because I didn’t have any skills in creating a website. Plus, it seemed too costly for me to do. Besides not having a professional network to help me get started, I alsoContinue reading Bootstrapping
Foster Family
“My parents wanted me to be a public lawyer back home in India to help people who can’t afford legal counsel. But I was kind of selfish and even fickle minded. I took the biggest risk of my life by dropping out of law school and leaving the family business just to be back inContinue reading Foster Family
Pay it Forward
“My first time abroad, I got robbed. I was doing an internship in France when I decided to go to Pamplona to see Spain’s bull run. Coming from India, I’m always careful with my wallet, but just not that day. I instantly regretted it after a thief used a blade to slash open my pocketContinue reading Pay it Forward
Starting a Family
**日本語訳は下をご覧ください** “When he got a job offer in Japan, I must admit I wasn’t so crazy about the idea. Sure, we were looking for a change and to go overseas. But seeing how Japanese people are shown as workaholics in the news, I was reluctant to move here. We thought their strict work culture wouldContinue reading Starting a Family
Forever Changed
“Japan has changed me. I used to never be on time. I was always late for work back in India and I also never used to cook. But since my company sent me here last year as an IT engineer, my time management skills have greatly improved. Now I show up for work on time.Continue reading Forever Changed
Daddy’s Home
“I’m going to be a dad soon. I’m also getting married to the love of my life. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I was married once to someone I went to school with in Japan. But it didn’t work out and we ended up getting a divorce. I have no regrets though. SheContinue reading Daddy’s Home
Breaking New Ground
“I’m the first Indian Air India has ever hired locally in Japan (at the Tokyo office of India’s state-owned carrier). My manager, who thought it was strange no Indians were working for an Indian company in Japan, really wanted to have one. So one day she said, `why don’t we bring in an Indian toContinue reading Breaking New Ground