Synopsis
The book traces the journey of Gopalan Srinivasan, ’Srini ‘, from rural South India to the classrooms of IIMA and UNB Fredericton Canada, weaving together slice-of-life anecdotes that are as insightful as they are endearing
In a series of vignettes from his childhood in rural South India, Srini evokes fond memories that many will connect to their own. Whether about cleaning a fountain pen, fixing a puncture in a cycle tyre, or drinking freshly tapped ‘pathaneer’ from a leaf-cup, the recounting is with humour, affection, and an innocence one can relate to from their own youth. A nostalgic celebration anyone can enjoy!
Written in an easy conversational style, the humorous narrations of anecdotes in the book are expected to take the readers to their own nostalgic memories and evoke a few nods and chuckles as they read. The comparisons of Indian and Canadian experiences provide a window into cross-cultural identities of an immigrant.
Along the lines of the famous song “You can’t take the Texas out of me,” Srini ends the story with a humorous self-diagnosis that he is suffering from ‘Mannarkoil Syndrome’.
About the Author
Gopalan Srinivasan was born in Mannarkoil village in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India. After having his early education in Tirunelveli, he did his doctoral programme (FPM-1980) at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). He worked at IIMA for a few years before moving to Canada. He joined the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Fredericton Business Faculty, where he taught for over three decades. Currently, he is leading a retired life in Mississauga, Ontario, with his wife and life partner, Kalyani.
