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'I am an Indian at heart'

Despite a decade-long association with India, its oxymoronic nature doesn't cease to amaze him. Yet the director of Tourism Malaysia, Manoharan, finds himself at home in his adopted country. By Andrea Lopez

Home isn't necessarily where the start is. For Manoharan, director of Tourism Malaysia, India, more specifically Mumbai, has become home now. Despite being of Malaysian origin, he is incredibly passionate about India and all things Indian. "My first visit to India was in 1998 for the PATA Eco-tourism conference in Jaipur and every day here has been a learning experience." So besotted he was with the country that he made a second trip in 2000 - this time with a concrete plan to set up operations in India.

Today, India is more home to him than Malaysia. Of course, there is still that annual trip that he and his family take to Malaysia, but Manoharan says he has come to love the variety and the ceaseless clamour that is associated with India. "I think I have become an Indian at heart and I guess you could say that the blood in my veins is Indian," he says, which is true since his forefathers were of Indian origin.

Recounting the early years

This chain of events is interesting considering that Manoharan doesn't take too easily to unfamiliar people. He admits he takes time to attain a certain level of comfort with people, but once the ice is broken, he can be very funny.

With his reserve finally broken, Manoharan spoke about his roots and the person that he is today. He grew up in a small city of Malaka on the east coast of Malaysia. On obtaining a degree in Political Science at the National University of Malaysia, he moved to the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur. He always nurtured a desire to be a part of the uniformed services - something that has always fascinated him because of the discipline it demands.

Revealing more about himself, Manoharan says that he likes to read people and observe them. Other than that, he loves playing golf, traveling and reading. "One of my all-time favourite novel is TSR Subramaniam's Journeys from Babudom and Netaland. It is hilarious and offers an insight into how bureaucrats and government machinery works," he says.

As far as traveling is concerned, Kerala is his choice of destination to vacation in India. Internationally, South Africa has held many memorable times for him and his family, particularly his two daughters aged 11 and 12.

But even though he may enjoy traveling, he confesses he isn't a hardcore adventure enthusiast and likes to play safe. Which may be why driving on Mumbai roads from his Juhu residence to his office at Nariman Point has given him more than his share of experiences. "If you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere in the world!" exclaims Manoharan.

Moving to India

Yet, he considers moving to India as the most adventurous thing he has ever done. "I have met so many different people here and every state is so different from the other in its language and culture." He is also quick to point out how poverty and luxury reside side by side here. "It is so evident from the moment one crosses the threshold of Mumbai's airport. I don't think this divide is so clear in any part of the world. The index at the Bombay Stock Exchange touches 17,000 but you have stray dogs sprawled on the porch of the building. But it is this very contrast that makes India so appealing. There is no ABCD here; everything falls into place on its own," he says.

When it comes to work, responsibility scores over all other things. "There is really no compromise when it comes to quality; you have to give the task at hand your 100 per cent," he insists. Still, he admits that he would like to spend more time with his kids. His philosophy in life is simple, and perhaps it is his experiences in India that have made him stick by it. "If you can dance, join in. If you can't, step back and clap."