'India exudes opportunity'

EXPAT SPEAK

From discussing new technologies for safety in the boardroom to biking on diverse terrains of India, Mel Brooks knows how to make the best of his time. 

CEO of the security giant, G4S India, while Mel’s name sounds familiar (due to his namesake Mel Brooks, Hollywood producer-director) to the ear, it is his love for exploring India that charms Metrolife. 

“To unwind, I indulge in biking, food and art,” says Mel who has been motorcycling since the age of 17. 

But his placement in India since 2012 has given him abundant opportunity to travel on his Bullet, including being chased by a donkey once (first time ever in his 35 years of biking)! 

 

Though he feels that there should be “more adherence to law especially on the roads,” he also believes that, “travelling across India on a Royal Enfield gives you a beautiful and real insight of this country. 

This is the love affair between Bullet and me. I recently went for a bike trip from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer with a small group of friends. 

The sand dunes in Rajasthan are spellbinding,” he recalls from his pleasant memory and makes it a point to mention the hospitable nature of the natives of this land.

“I enjoy interacting with people. 

There are many occasions when I am lost or my bike breaks down. 

People are so hospitable here that they make me sit and sip a cup of chai as they try to fix it,” narrates the corporate who has been impressed by this “natural element” of India since he visited for the first time in 2007. 

“I would like to say so about my country too, but the level of hospitality is not the same in any other country as it is here,” adds Mel who is an alumnus of Stanford Business School. 

His career background is in digital and physical security solutions, which found him in the position of a group corporate development director for QinetiQ, a UK/US defence and security technology services provider, before he opted to shift to India. This, since he feels, “India exudes opportunity. 

I find it quite fascinating how technology has developed over last couple of years here. 

As an expat, I can imagine how impossible it would have been to stay in contact with family and friends overseas earlier. 

 

My mind is fascinated by that part,” he reveals while talking to Metrolife during a break in his board meeting. 

The thought of food is overwhelming since it is lunch hour and Mel doesn’t shy from mentioning it. 

“I am a fine diner and street food junkie - all in one!” 

While his favourite restaurant in the City is the “The Spice Route at The Imperial”, he makes sure to state that there is “nothing better than an aaloo tikki chat at a roadside vendor.” 

 

Mind you, he can also tell you which ones are the best to look out for!

“I love all aspects of food in this country and, only I know how I have controlled my diet,” he guffaws recalling his experience of watching English Vinglish. “It was amazing so see somebody trying to learn English as I was trying to learn Hindi,” says this new fan of Bollywood who aims to polish his Hindi skills before he leaves India.