Often, what Americans know about India is limited to call centers. What do you think is important to show foreign visitors so they have a better idea of the culture that exists outside of outsourcing offices and call centers?

The Taj Mahal is obviously the most preeminent symbol of India, and it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I think what the Taj symbolizes is really the grand spectrum of culture that India has to offer amongst its 1.1 billion people, everywhere from phenomenal architecture to a myriad of religious practices and amazing cuisine. Obviously, and most important, is the wonderful hospitality of the people.

When you go to India, it’s sensory overload. The sights, sounds and smells, are absolutely overwhelming. As such, it’s a lot to take in. When you step off that airplane and out of the airport and just take your taxi ride down to your hotel, you tend to forget about call centers fairly quickly.

While business executives may not think twice about a trip to the UK or Germany, it seems that there may frequently be some trepidation about traveling to and through India. Have you heard such concerns from the business community and what do you say to those who are afraid of visiting India?

I’ve never encountered fear of traveling to India. I’ve always heard a range of emotions from excitement to curiosity. I think there’s always this fascination with doing business in a country with a billion potential customers. I would detect a little apprehension from businesspeople in wanting to do business in a country that is still developing, that has quite a different culture than Westerners are accustomed to.

So it might be a little intimidating to some businesspeople. But what I would say is that to any businessperson considering business in India, talk to someone who’s already done it or who has been to India. I think you’ll find out in very short order just what a life-changing experience visiting India can be.

Your family hails from Haryana and you’ve promoted a sister state relationship between Minnesota and that Indian state. What would you tell visitors to see or do in Haryana if they visit?

For the business and commerce community, certainly the city of Gurgaon, which is immediately adjacent to New Delhi and very close to the airport. It’s an excellent city to visit, to shop, to go to movies, to experience not only traditional Indian foods, but old Indian cuisine – and, of course, the occasional hamburger. Of course, Gurgaon is the huge business center, a tremendous high-tech and progressive city.

For the agriculturists, Haryana is primarily agricultural, so there are a lot of farms that you could visit. Its capital of Chandigarh is an architectural marvel and a central city to visit. For the environmental tourists, Haryana has a beautiful bird sanctuary as well as the tiger sanctuary that the visitor can go to.

Then for those who are interested in natural beauty, the northern part of Haryana is near the foothills of the Himalayas. The town of Kurukshetra is historical, very religiously holy town. That’s where all the activities in the Bhagavad Gita were said to have occurred. I believe in that area they’re also working on an amusement park, but I think you’ll still find Disneyland better.