Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIII, Issue I - Spring 2019 | Page 21

Q:
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO LEAVE YOUR LIFE IN INDIA BEHIND?

It was difficult. Moving to the U.S. was an enormous sacrifice for my family. I was the only son
of my father, who was the only son of my grandmother. My family was acutely aware of all that
they would miss after I left, including not being able to enjoy raising my child. That kind of sacrifice
can only come from a mother’s love.
A:
Q:
HOW HAS YOUR VILLAGE CHANGED SINCE YOUR YOUTH?
Just as I was leaving for college, electricity arrived, changing everything. My family helped
build a telephone exchange, established a library, and supported other causes needed for a
modernizing community. Now, every village household has TV and Internet. Cell phones, modern
kitchens, mechanized farms, running water, and rapid transit are common and readily available.
However, like me, many of the village’s children relocated to cities and other countries. The community
changed. The elderly learned to live alone. Unfortunately, there is always a price for progress.
A:
Q:
HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR WIFE?
My would-be wife arrived in this world the same year I was born, in a neighboring village. Her
family moved to a nearby town a few years after her birth. Though we did not know each other
growing up, we were meant for each other. I attended an all boys college, while she attended a
neighboring all girls college in the same town—both
strict Christian schools. Then I moved on to medical
school. Immediately after I finished medical school,
when we were both 21 years old, a family friend
arranged a blind date. It was the very first date for
both of us. We liked each other, and have been
happily married for 44 years. Of course, we argue at
times, for silly reasons – often when she does not
realize that I am teasing her. My in-laws were very
proud and fond of me. Everybody that knows my
wife describes her as a saint. My luck truly began
when she entered my life.
A:
Dr. Musunuru at college graduation, age 16.
SPRING 2019
21