“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
**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
“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
“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
“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
