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About Me | Family Page | Maryland | Charlotte | Chicago | GuestBook |
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No matter where you're from, chances are you'll find a former neighbor in New York - no other city has such a diversity of peoples and cultures. Find your own - in the bustling sidewalks of Chinatown, the Greek tavernas of Astoria, the Old World Russian restaurants and clubs of Brighton Beach, the Italian communities of Little Italy and Arthur Avenue, the sari shops and vindaloos of Little India in Jackson Heights. These are the reasons that people say:"New York City...Come Visit the World."
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My wife and daughter joined me here in February. We were staying in Journal Square area of New Jersey. My office was next to NewYork Stock Exchange.  |
| America was still a wonder for me before coming to New York. Here the easy going life and crowded streets put me in ease. We were staying in New Jersey. It was a 12 minute commute by train to Wall Street Station. The train goes down the Hudson River - amazing. My office was at the Advanced Development Center of Ernst and Young, which was next to the New York Stock Exchange. Every morning we had to board a PATH train from New Jesey that used to take us to the feet of World Trade Center. Walking down the street of broadway and wall street was a real charm because you see all different people from all over the world. On some special days when a new company is listed for the first time in NYSE, you will be delighted with free giveaways and free food and lots of fun all around. Even today, when I close my eyes, I feel like getting lost in the streets of New York. |
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Other side of the river: As I said earlier, we were staying in New Jersey. The house on the left was our apartment in Van Wagen Avenue in Journal Square. It was a multi-storied apartment and we were on the 4th floor. One of our colleagues, Malay was staying with us. The house was looked after by a middle-eastern family. The lady named Rabba Sabra was good looking but had total authority. The area was dominated by African American, Mexican and South Asian population. Our office was very near to the Batery Park, New York City. Located in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of International friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States. Officially named "Liberty Enlightening the World," it is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. This picture was taken from the base of the Statue of Liberty with the glimpse of the Manhattan. |
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Friend in need: Among the people of our company who came here before us took great initiative in helping others. Chetan Shah, Sridhar Dharani, Banumati Nadahali, Muragesh Mali are few among those. Our friend come relative, Mitudi and Saikat-da were real help to us in a situation when we were far from home. Though I never had a chance to meet him personally, but our college senior Bhaskar DasGupta (we used to talk frequently over phone) tried to extend as much help as he can. |
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THE EVENTS OF 11th SEPTEMBER |
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Where I was then: I was in Gaithersburg, Maryland - in Washington DC Metropolitan Area. It was normal working day for me, like everyone else. I dropped my daughter at her school and proceeded to my office. I was just at my desk at 8:55 AM when I heard someone telling others that World Trade Center was hit by a plane. Quickly I went to the web to find only the Breaking News - no details. I called home and asked my wife to turn on the TV. "Why ? What's going on ?" - She was surprised. Even then no one had any idea what is on the way. I asked her o put the handset right in front of the TV so that I can hear clearly. In ten minutes, we heard that horrible screaming ... 'Oh! MY GOD !!! Oh! MY GOD !!' and then the ball started rolling. I put my phone on speaker. People flocked around my desk with their eyes and ears turning red. Immediately we called our parents at home in India and made them aware of what's going on. We assured them that we are safe in Washington DC -- far from the World Trade Centers. The worst was yet to come. Around 9:30 AM we heared another plane crashed on Pentagon - so close !! Momentarily I was really afraid. Totally forgot that I have to meet a scheduled production release on 15th of September - merely four days left. Instead my thoughts prevailed around my daughter, my family members, their safety, my safety. Everyone around us was in a disarray. Office was closed down. People asked to go back home. Schools decalred closed. Parents were asked to take their kids home. Emergency declared. For last four years it was our home country, we tagged ourselves closely with their social life. We were shocked and felt sad like fellow Americans. But do they feel the same way ? After all, we are foreigners here, outsiders. It was real hard to read their eyes. |
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