...........................................................................US Consul General

 In conversation with US Consul General David Good

In an exclusive conversation with Mumbaibest.com, David Good, the United States Consul General in India, spoke about the American presidential election, Indo-American relations, the Information Technology sector in India and about his experiences in India.

What do you think about the American presidential elections that were held this year ?

The Presidential Election took a very long this time, over a month. This was the second time in the history of the American Presidential Elections, first between J. F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon and now between Bush and Gore, that the fight ended up so close. One thing I really admire is that Americans took this procedure as a part of the democratic process. There were no riots, no strikes, everything went on quite peacefully. Everyone has faith in the legal process. I believe this kind of situation always adds up to a strong democratic country and strengthens law and order.

How much do you think have Indo-American relations been strengthened over the years, and what was President Clinton's role in strengthening this bond ?

I think that Indo-US relations have always been very strong. Democracy deeply rooted itself in the post cold war period. All the democratic countries came together, India and the US being the major democratic countries. So India and America always had a common platform to stand on, and that is democracy. President Clinton's visit to India was a major boost for the already existing relations. If we speak from the economic point of view, I personally feel that in today's world, countries can only grow by joining hands with each other, no matter how big or small a country is. Going by figures around half a million Indians are in America ensuring this enduring relationship between our two nations.

These half a million people generally belong to the Information Technology sector. Do you think that this leads to lopsided growth in a country like India ?

Today, you have to agree to one thing; that the world is becoming a techno village. Whatever changes take place in one part of the world affects another part of the world in some way or the other. Today every development is depended on the technical development in a country, and India has emerged as a major power in the IT field which will, in a way, give a boost to the underdeveloped sector in India. It might take some time, but I am sure that India is heading for a mass revolution which has already begun.

Your association with India has lasted for nearly three decades. What is your perception about India ?

I just love India. I first came to India in 1971, when I was commissioned at the US embassy in New Delhi. I have travelled all over India. I admire Indian architecture, history, and especially her people. I found everyone so cooperative and friendly. During the first few years of my stay in India, I started feeling passionately about the country and its people. I guess that s what compelled me to come back to India again and again. I left India in 1976. For a few years, I was placed in the US and the middle east. Now I am back in India again.

It has been around 16 months now that you came to India on your current appointment. Did you notice any difference considering the gap of 24 years between the previous time you were here.

The first time I visited Mumbai, it was a smaller city, with less pollution and a smaller population. Now Mumbai has become the business hub of the nation. People have become very busy with little time for each other. But the attitude of caring for people around and cooperating with each other still prevails. The city where I did not witness much of change is Calcutta. It is the same old Calcutta I left 24 years ago.

I guess you are saying this to please your wife, who was born and brought up in Calcutta ?

(Laughs) I guess even she feels the same (Mrs Ila Good comes from a Gujarati family based in Calcutta). I do not think after 27 years of marriage I need to please her any more. Today she is beside me because I managed to please her and win her heart 28 years ago. Moreover, how could you not like a city where you met your better half, specially the Gariahat Ground, where my marriage took place.

By: Sharmistha Chakraborty
Photographer: Vinayak Prabhu