Muthu - Dec. 2006 Today is exactly 30 years since I boarded the plane for the first time in my life. I boarded the Indian Airlines plane at Madras - Meenambakkam Airport en route to Chicago via Bombay, London and New York. I had gained admission to Northwestern University (NU) to do my M.S. I have travelled a long way. For those who do not know me or do not know where I have been, let me mention briefly. Today I am settled in Atlanta. When I left Chennai, I was an Assitant Professor of Planning at the School of Architecture and Planning at the (then) University of Madras. I came to the US on a student visa, having gotten admission to NU. I borrowed from my Life Insurance Policy for my flight and initial expenses at the US. I had to use our house in Chennai (built by my father, and in my name) as a collateral. I came here with just $80 (which I lost the second day of my arrival) as allowed by the RBI, leaving my wife and young childern. I was given 6 months leave with half ...