WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:32.200 [EMILY MUSZYNSKI]: Okay this is an interview with Kanti Gandhi as part of the Indo American Heritage Museum Masala Chat oral history project. The interview is being conducted on August 3rd at 5:00 in the John Hancock building in the Gandhis’ residence. Kanti’s being interviewed by Emily Muszynski of the Indo American Heritage Museum. Please state and spell your first and last name. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:38.730 [KANTI GANDHI]: Kanti K A N T I. Last name Gandhi G A N D H I 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:43.900 [EM]: So when and where were you first born--When and where were you born? 00:00:44.150 --> 00:00:44.650 [KG]: Born? 00:00:44.650 --> 00:00:45.000 [EM]: Yes. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:48.200 [KG]: I was born in, at that time city was called, Bombay. 00:00:50.270 --> 00:00:51.000 [EM]: And when? 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:53.300 [KG]: 1940. 00:00:55.650 --> 00:00:58.500 [EM]: So it was, it was a big city that you live--that you were born in? 00:00:57.900 --> 00:00:58.500 [KG]: Yes. 00:00:58.800 --> 00:01:00.870 [EM]: Did you live there your entire life? 00:01:00.870 --> 00:01:01.600 [KG]: Yes. 00:01:01.770 --> 00:01:05.600 [EM]: Up until you emigrated. How big was your family? 00:01:08.100 --> 00:01:16.400 [KG]: We had a joint family. My father and his brother both lived together, and all their other siblings. 00:01:17.100 --> 00:01:18.420 [EM]: How many siblings do you have? 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.800 [KG]: I have three, three brothers, one sister. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:27.100 [EM]: Can you say their names? 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:36.700 [KG]: ...Let’s pass. Pass that one **laughs** 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:38.400 [EM]: What languages did you speak? 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:39.500 [KG]: Gujarati. 00:01:40.290 --> 00:01:46.000 [EM]: And was that a big part of the--did you live a suburb, or did you live in the city? 00:01:45.830 --> 00:01:47.040 [KG]: No, in the city. 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:48.400 [EM]: In the city. And so-- 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:50.400 [KG]: It was just like a Manhattan, you know, so. 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:53.620 [EM]: Yeah. Was that the language that was most popular? 00:01:53.800 --> 00:01:54.340 [KG]: Yes. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:58.410 [EM]: Yes? Did you learn any other languages in school? 00:02:00.600 --> 00:02:05.600 [KG]: English. And the national language is Hindi. So they were all taught. 00:02:08.100 --> 00:02:10.900 [EM]: What did your parents do for a living? 00:02:11.200 --> 00:02:12.300 [KG]: They were business. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:16.750 [EM]: Business. Did you practice a particular religion? 00:02:18.600 --> 00:02:19.300 [KG]: Hindu. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:23.000 [EM]: Do you still practice it today? 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:25.700 [KG]: In a way, yes. 00:02:26.600 --> 00:02:34.400 [EM]: More traditional, Hindu? You did more of the traditions when you lived in--Did you particpate more in the traditions when you lived in India? 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:37.440 [KG]: I don’t think so, no. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:44.900 [EM]: (clears throat) Excuse me. What about school, where--how big was your elementary school? 00:02:52.200 --> 00:03:06.000 [KG]: I would say, um, maybe totally, it was from KG to fourth grade. Must be, few hundred, I have no idea. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:09.000 [EM]: Was it a public or a private school? 00:03:09.420 --> 00:03:10.300 [KG]: It was private. 00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:12.700 [EM]: Private? Did you have private school--? 00:03:12.700 --> 00:03:14.000 [KG]: Yeah, throughout, yes. 00:03:14.450 --> 00:03:16.600 [EM]: What was your experiences of private school? 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:23.700 [KG]: I haven’t experienced anything else, you know, so. **laughs** It was good! 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:27.600 [EM]: What did you do, as like, extracurricular activies? 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:32.250 [KG]: Just normal games, and that’s about it, you know. 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:36.200 [EM]: Did you go to college, in India? 00:03:35.800 --> 00:03:36.500 [KG]: Yes. 00:03:37.700 --> 00:03:38.800 [EM]: What college did you go to? 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:42.700 [KG]: I went to KC College in Bombay. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.400 [EM]: And it was a private or public? 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:51.400 [KG]: All the colleges are private. Yes. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:52.400 [EM]: What did you study? 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:54.600 [KG]: I studied chemistry. 00:03:55.700 --> 00:04:06.800 [EM]: Can you describe your life in college? What your typical-- 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:15.300 [KG]: Just, whatever the time was in the morning, went there, and then come back here and study and that's about it, you know. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:20.200 [EM]: Did you speak English in college? Did they have you-- 00:04:19.700 --> 00:04:21.170 [KG]: Yes, yes. All English. 00:04:21.170 --> 00:04:24.300 [EM]: All English? And that was typical of all the colleges? 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:26.500 [KG]: I believe so, yes. 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:32.000 [EM]: Did you feel comfortable with your ability to speak English before you-- 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.400 [KG]: No, I had no problem. 00:04:34.900 --> 00:04:38.800 [EM]: What was your impression of America? 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:42.000 [KG]: When? 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:47.800 [EM]: Back when you were in India, before you immigrated, what did you think of America? What was--? 00:04:50.800 --> 00:05:21.800 [KG]: I wanted to go to foreign country to continue my--I finished my master's there. So I thought, you know, maybe I will come do a PhD here in chemistry. That was the reason I came. And, you know, just wanted to get the degree from the foreign universities, so. Rather than doing it in the same college. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.300 [EM]: What university did you go to here? 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:51.200 [KG]: I was supposed to go to, I forget the name now, it is almost 53 years ago. Somewhere in the state of Colorado. Maybe close to Denver somewhere. But when I landed here, I went to see a friend of mine. And he was--that’s the only person I knew in the whole USA, otherwise I have no idea how about anybody else. 00:05:51.200 --> 00:06:17.700 So I always wanted to study chemical engineering, but somewhere, somehow, I ended up in, doing graduation in chemistry. So then I had a choice, you know. He couldn’t--he said, “Then why don't you stay here?” But I was too late for the chemistry, admission-wise for that year. So I didn’t want to spend--lose my whole year that way. 00:06:17.700 --> 00:06:28.000 But the chemical engineering was available, so I enrolled in that one, and changed the whole thing. And stayed in Detroit with the University of Detroit. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:33.000 [EM]: Oh really? And how was living in Detroit? Can you describe it for me? 00:06:44.800 --> 00:07:11.900 [KG]: At that time, there were hardly any, any Indians. Not even--There were less than 200 probably, in the whole city of Detroit. So, and there was no so-called Indian food. There were no Indian restaurants at that time. 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:37.700 So it was in the beginning, being a vegetarian, it was kind of tough to, tough to, go without, kind of a thing. But got kind of used to it. So I was rooming with my friend of mine, and we both did our own cooking, and we rented a house. And... 00:07:38.200 --> 00:07:45.100 [EM]: How did it feel being such an outsider? Since there weren’t--there wasn’t a strong Indian community? 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:52.800 [KG]: No there was a--I didn't feel any anything. Otherwise just the homesickness once in a while. Otherwise, was nothing. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:08:08.700 [EM]: So, we were talking about your life in college, in Detroit. What made you--What was your next step? So after you finish your degree, what happened? 00:08:09.400 --> 00:08:35.600 [KG]: I started working in a, working in a, in industrial area. I mean in so-called the chemical industrial area, you know. The master's program was only in the evening, so during daytime I was free. So I worked for a drugstore for, for a while. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:09:06.900 Then a placement, a gal in the placement said that “There is somebody is looking for some technical, technician’s job. With your chemistry knowledge maybe, you?” I said, “Fine.” So I started working with them. And that's what I did. They were manufacturing industrial coatings, you know, for automotive usage. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:20.800 So since then I started working with them, and even later on, you know. They kind of sponsored me and that’s it. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:28.800 [EM]: What about the culture side of things? How did you feel America was different from India? 00:09:35.000 --> 00:10:04.300 [KG]: Yeah, definitely, you know, there’s a difference in lifestyle in--there versus here. At that time still I was single. And, so life was kind of very interesting. What being a single--worked almost like a twelve plus hours rather than eight. Even if I was paid for eight hours, you know? **laughs** 00:10:07.900 --> 00:10:29.400 So they were--you know, the owners were pretty happy. It was a small company. And so there was not much time. In evening, you know, you come home, eat, sleep, and then go next day **laughing**. That’s about it. So there was nothing, nothing as such, you know? 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.800 [EM]: When did you meet your wife? 00:10:35.800 --> 00:11:02.300 [KG]: I went to India in ’69. Well, in fact, I was, while working then at that time, I was staying with the one Jewish couple. So they had a spare room. And so I stayed with them for almost a year and a half or so. So it was interesting and **laughs**. 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:05.000 [EM]: **laughs** Did they help you get acquainted to America? 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:24.300 [KG]: No, no, no. It was, it was after a couple years afterwards. So I knew exactly. And I was kind of independent. I had my own car and so it was-- So I wasn't any kind of bothersome to, for them, you know, so. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:30.800 [EM]: When did you decide that you wanted to go to India to find a wife? 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:58.900 [KG]: So it was almost after five years had passed. So I came here in ’64. So ’69 I, I went to India and, and I took a leave of absence from the, from the company. Then I, you know, I took almost like--they gave me two to three months. I said, you know--“But still you can come back.” I said, “Fine.” 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:32.200 So went to India and, and I knew her parents pretty well. Because, you know, she must--you must have heard about **laughing** from our side, so anyway. So, no, so I wasn’t repeating everything, you know, so. So, I had seen several other girls, and out of all selected her because she had degree in Chemistry, so. So that was my choice, you know, so. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:35.100 [EM]: You guys connected over your love-- 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:49.900 [KG]: Right, right. So I came back here in ’69, again, after, you know, maybe two or three months. And started working. You know, filed papers for her to get here. And that’s about it. 00:12:49.900 --> 00:12:54.300 [EM]: How was life different, coming back with a wife than coming here for yourself? 00:12:53.800 --> 00:13:22.700 [KG]: No, no. I came--No, no. It took almost, almost, maybe eight or 10 months you know before she got the visa and all the paperworks were done, you know at that time, so. By that time, you know, I had already--I was working almost for that company for two, three years, you know, so. So I had a two bedroom place on my own. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:38.200 And when she came--So was good for me that I have company now but, but for her, the homesickness would begin like what I went through, five years ago, you know, so. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:46.200 [EM]: Did you find that you could help her get over the homesickness because you knew what was going on? 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:59.000 [KG]: But I was--during the daytime, you know, I was gone from, almost eleven hours every day. You know, so she was--there was nothing I could do, **laughing** except for the weekend, you know, so. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:06.500 [EM]: What were those first couple of weeks like, after she came? What type of things did you do? 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:17.200 [KG]: Just to show her and get used to the American life. And it was a significant challenge for her, you know. So-- 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:19.000 [EM]: Were you living in Detroit or Chicago then? 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:25.000 [KG]: No, at that time the company had already another plant in Cleveland area. So I was in Cleveland, yes. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.600 [EM]: Oh in Cleveland? Oh! How was Cleveland compared to Detroit? 00:14:31.400 --> 00:14:48.900 [KG]: At that time, Detroit was a bigger city at that time. All the automotive industries were booming. So it was, it was pretty hectic, whereas Cleveland was kind of a subdued kind of-- There was, there were not too many industries and what not, you know, so. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:54.800 [EM]: Was there a big immigrant population? in Cleveland? at that time? 00:14:54.800 --> 00:15:23.600 [KG]: No. Still it was, at that time still, the foreign population from the student or Indian point of view, it was very, hardly I knew eight or ten people, probably. But you know, it’s the whole that you are busy, you know, from ten, eleven hours, you know, so. Only the weekends would be the, the time to meet friends and what not, you know, so. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:32.600 [EM]: What type of things did you guys do to, show your, to show your wife around Cleveland, or what type of places did you have? 00:15:32.300 --> 00:16:02.000 [KG]: So, luckily, friend of mine also was married, maybe three months before, and his wife was here. She was new. And she was new, so we got to, we’d see her--saw her her pretty often. So they started talking, but at that time they couldn't drive, you know **laughs**. So there was a--Because of the no driver's license, you know. And, so it was hard to meet, you know, for them too. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:31.800 It was, it was tough. Because of the distinace involved, you know. And she--they were, they were living a few miles away, and so. So we used to meet on the--maybe someday in the evenings, and on the weekends. And go out somewhat in the weekends, you know. And after three months, we moved to the Chicago area, but especially, the plant was located in Waukegan. So we moved to Waukegan. 00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:43.000 They asked me, before even to move there, I said, “My wife should be coming. So when she comes back, and after few months, then we'll move to Waukegan.” So then we moved to Waukegan. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.900 [EM]: How was Waukegan compared to Cleveland? 00:16:48.100 --> 00:17:20.150 [KG]: Well Waukegan was a very, it was a very small, small town. Almost, you know, 45 some-odd years ago, you know. It was it was pretty small. But luckily, you know, we had a few Indian friends within the walking distance-wise, you know. So all the wives could get together **laughs**. So it was, it worked out pretty well. 00:17:20.150 --> 00:17:35.000 And plus my office wasn’t too far, maybe two or three miles. So I used to come frequently at home for lunch, even so. So it was just to give her a little a break, you know, that way, so. 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.400 [EM]: Which was your favorite place to live? 00:17:39.500 --> 00:18:12.600 [KG]: Well we lived in Waukegan at that time, you know, it was a very, a very nice apartment... So, that’s about it. And then do some activities only in the weekend. And you know, come to Chicago, or go to Milwaukee, or on some of the holidays go out to (inaudible), or go to--Any driving activities, you know so. 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:21.400 [EM]: How did it feel having a community of people with a similar background? How did that, did that help? Or did that? 00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:41.700 [KG]: It was, it was good for the ladies together, you know. So they could meet often. And, in the--as the time kind of progressed, so they were able--had the, the kids, you know so. So they were, it kept them busy with that... 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:52.700 [EM]: Did you feel yourself being homesick after your wife arrived? Did you--did the homesickness come back? 00:18:52.600 --> 00:19:05.700 [KG]: No, no, no. There was, there no homesick--there was long gone, the home--**laughs**. It was gone way after, with little over a year or so, you know. There was no sickness anymore, so. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.600 [EM]: How do you say connected to India now? 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.500 [KG]: Pardon? 00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:11.400 [EM]: How do you stay connected to India, nowadays? 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:32.800 [KG]: Oh. I used to be--because I had a, I had a manufacturing plant I started in India also. For the same, business, you know, I started here. So at that time my trips to India were pretty frequent, every three months. That was back in the ‘90s. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:38.100 [EM]: Do you visit nowadays as much or--? 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:51.200 [KG]: No. It’s kind of, kind of less than what did used to be, you know so. Maybe she goes there once a year, or whatever. But I go there maybe every two, three years. 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:56.800 [EM]: Was America what you expected, it to be? 00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:04.300 [KG]: I guess I would, say so yes. It was better than expected, so **laughs**. 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:06.950 [EM]: Oh it was beter than expected. Can you explain why it was better? 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:33.700 [KG]: I mean, you know, the less people. Bombay is a very congested city, and here kind of peaceful and quiet from that point of view, you know. Especially the suburbs you know, where it’s much quieter. But now, versus living on Michigan Avenue, it’s totally different **laughs**. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:35.900 [EM]: It’s completely different **laughs** 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:36.100 [KG]: Completely different. 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:51.700 [EM]: What about your, like the culture, of India and the vaules of Indian culture. Did you find that American values and American culture was a big difference? Or? 00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:59.900 [KG]: The way I was raised, I don't see, I didn't see that much of a difference, no. 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:30.800 [EM]: Interesting. Did you find that it was harder, was it was it easier to acclimate yourself to America because you were a university student? Or do you feel like that didn't make that big of a difference? 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:34.700 [KG]: No, I--say that again? 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:54.700 [EM]: Did you feel that being a student at the university in Detroit, did that help your experience coming to America? Did it make you more comfortable? Do you think that it would have been different if you immigrated without coming for school? 00:21:57.500 --> 00:22:27.400 [KG]: I can’t--I do not know. My brother, younger brother wasn’t--He came up with a medical education, so he didn't have to go through any schooling like what I did. So he started working in the hospital right away. And he was also--we were together in Detroit. So for him, I would say it was kind of easier. He didn’t have to go any-- 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:57.000 You know, I could have continued two, three years even for a PhD, or chemical engineering. It took me the same. But it was, studying was a little bit tough love, whereas he started working in the hospital, and he was busy with the patients and learning about whatever the things he wanted to be specialized in, you know. So it was, I would say, in a way, fun for him right from the beginning, you know **laughs**. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:10.500 And plus he, he had me, so he wasn’t that home--So he had company in a way, you know so. And plus an internship is almost like 80 hours of work, you know so **laughs**. 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:16.500 [EM]: Do you feel like working took up most of your time? 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:42.700 [KG]: Always, yes. Because I am always did more than what they were expecting, so time wasn’t--being a salaried thing, you know. Most of the people were gone by four or five. But I stayed there till eight, nine, whatever it was at that time. And keep working different things, and that’s about it. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:57.900 [EM]: Was there a person or a group of people when you first immigrated to the United States that you feel like helped you? Or did you feel mostly independent? 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:30.100 [KG]: There was one Indian couple at that time, he must have come here maybe early ’50s or something. So he was, being a student, we didn’t have luxury of going to the suburb and some big stores, you know which were kind of further away. So he used to come and take use together and went for shopping what not, you know so. Yeah, that was helpful. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:25:00.500 And plus, during holidays, university kind of a system that, for the foreign students, some of the American families were inviting students to come during Thanksgiving or Christmas or something. So I used to go and visit different families that way, you know. So because they either, did not have any children of their own, or they had-- 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:11.600 Even if they had something, you know, but maybe they were away or whatever it was. And so in a way it was fun see the culture from the other side, you know... 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:14.000 [EM]: Do you have a story from one of those trips? 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.500 [KG]: What do you mean, story? 00:25:15.400 --> 25:24:400 [EM]: That’s like--Do you have a memory, or an experience from one of those vacation trips that sticks out in your mind? 00:25:25:400 --> 00:25:50.000 [KG]: Well, I was close one particular family and he used to be the manager in some insurance company and I know in very good post. And he was in, living in a very expensive area of Detroit at that time. And we used to go there kind of frequently. And he would come and pick us up or-- 00:25:52.400 --> 00:26:07.000 And then I want--as soon as I started shifting to Cleveland, then lost the touch, you know, then. It was tough to stay in touch at that time, you know... 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:33.300 [EM]: What about your family building a family? Did you feel like you used your experiences and your traditions in the culture from India when raising your children more than the American culture? Or do you feel like it was a mix? 00:26:34.400 --> 00:27:03.400 [KG]: It was kind of different. When I grew up in India, at that time, father was busy in business and so he was never there. He was gone eight to eight. And so it was like a--But being a joint family system, so all the kids were playing together and stuff like that. Whereas here, when we had a daughter at that time, we were the only two, and the little one, you know. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:15.000 So once I used to come home, then play with her and keep her busy, so she would have a little break in between, you know for a few hours or whatever was that, you know. 00:27:16.750 --> 00:27:26.200 [EM]: Did you encourage her to marry somebody from India or with an Indian background? 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:30.100 [KG]: None whatsoever. None whatsover. 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:32.000 [EM]: No arranged marriage or anything? 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:45.200 [KG]: She was on her own and she found her husband. Now, they were together since ninth grade in school, and so they know each other for almost 30 years, you know, approximately. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:59.700 [EM]: Do you feel like if you stayed in India would you--How are the arranged marriages? Is arranged marriage still a big part of Indian culture now? 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:19.000 [KG]: I do not know but, the way I hear, it's getting less and less. And boys and girls are at liberty to do whatever they want and you know. So maybe they, maybe introducing. But it's up to boy or girl to decide what they want to do, you know. 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:25.700 [EM]: Have you traveled a lot with your business? 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:32.700 [KG]: Around the globe three, three to four times a year. Every year. 00:28:32.800 --> 00:28:34.400 [EM]: Where do you visit most often? 00:28:34.400 --> 00:29:09.700 [KG]: Every country, you just name it **laughs**. Starting from Europe it would begin either in London to, to Italy, to Turkey, to India. From there to Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, and back. So it was like a three to four weeks’ trip. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.800 [EM]: Wow, you do that every year? 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:15.200 [KG]: Yeah, three to four times a year. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:18.200 [EM]: What’s your favorite place to visit? 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:24.700 [KG]: Wherever the customers were there were all my favorite places **laughs**. 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:28.900 [EM]: How big is your company? How many--? 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:37.500 [KG]: I had about, approximately, about 50 people. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:42.200 [EM]: What’s your experience--Can you describe your experience building your company? 00:29:43.200 --> 00:30:13.400 [KG]: I worked for a company in Waukegan till--it’s about 17 years. So in ’83 onwards, I resigned and I wanted to do my own something. So I started in a partnership with two Jewish gentlemen and, so it was a good experience. So they gave me all the luxury of whatever I wanted to do. Because their business was kind of going down. They were both were 65 at that time. 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:44.400 And so we made a deal and I bought them out from the, from the profit of the company. And now that's a about it. And after the kids graduated, they came and joined. And I had a partner, once I bought him out, then she started coming and working. To take away--because I was gone most of the time, so. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:31:05.900 So it was helpful that somebody’s watching about **laughs**, who made sure that the customers are paying in right away. All the payables and receivables and everything were taking care of. So I didn't need to worry about from that point, when she took care of it, so. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:25.300 [EM]: Do you...feel that...the only--Did you feel that building a company made you successful? 00:31:25.850 --> 00:31:53.900 [KG]: Very. It was a dream for every, every human being, you know. To have their own business rather than working for somebody. And so it--But they said that, you know, only 5% or less of the new businesses survives. The restaurants, they all disappears, you know. So maybe I was one of the lucky ones, and we became successful. 00:31:54.300 --> 00:32:27.600 And in ’98, the largest paint company of the world, from Netherlands, they came and said they wanted to buy us. So, I said at the right price, we made a deal with them, and we did to joint venture with them. So we started another plant in Milan, Italy, and China, Brazil. And I had a plant in India already, you know so. 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:30.600 [EM]: What exactly does your business--What is your business? 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:56.700 [KG]: We were competing against--I started the business to compete against DuPont’s non-stick coatings, Teflon coatings. At that time DuPont had the major--more or less the majority of the business. Hundred per--little, no I would say 95% of the American business, of the pots and pans, you know. 00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:10.900 And I started competing against them, and I was successful enough to replace them in significant places in the USA. 00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:19.000 [EM]: How did you get into that business? How did you get interested in that particular--? 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:50.400 [KG]: That company where I used to work in Waukegan, we used to make a coating only for the, for the bakeware kind of a thing, you know. But the market was kind of limited at that time. But the frying pan, other pots and pans was better business. 00:33:51.000 --> 00:34:20.000 So, so I told them to go after that business, you know, that big corporation. And they said, “No, no, no. We cannot compete against Dupont, you know. So said, “I’m going to resign” and I said, “I’m going to work on my own to go after Dupont.” So I gave myself 18 months to come up with the product. I said, “If I'm not successful, then I will work for the rest of my life.” 00:34:21.600 --> 00:34:30.100 And luckily, I with the luck and hard work, you know, became successful and... 00:34:30.100 --> 00:34:36.100 [EM]: What did you find harder: the process of immigrating or creating your-- 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:36.400 [KG]: Process of what? 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:40.700 [EM]: Of immigrating from India here, or creating your own business? 00:34:42.900 --> 00:35:10.100 [KG]: Business is a pretty tough requirement, you know. Because I worked for almost 18 hours, seven days a week. I never took a day off. Never saw the kids growing, you know. There were, they were ten and twelve. I never saw them. I used to leave home at six in the morning, and they were sleeping. I used to come at ten at night and they were sleeping. So never saw them. 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:26.300 [EM]: Do you have any stories from the early days in the United States that you can remember? That encapsule your experience? 00:35:34.100 --> 00:36:02.400 [KG]: **Laughs** The only thing that sticks out in my mind is, I was born and raised in a, I would say pretty well-to-do family. In my college days I used to drive my own car and go back and forth. Even 50 some odd years ago. So that I was missing. 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:36.500 So then then, then I found out, you know, went to the car dealership and just to see the cars, how expensive the cars were, you know. And the second-hand car you could buy from $50 to--back then, you know, I’m talking way back in 50 some odd years ago--to in a brand-new cars were to less than $2,000 to whatever, you know, the Cadillacs or whatever you can buy. 00:36:37.400 --> 00:37:05.600 So I ended up in buying brand new Chevy Impala, and I paid $2,200. And I have no job at that time. So my monthly payment was $75. So I said, “I got to go earn that $75 from somewhere.” **laughs** I didn’t want to write--My parents were supporting me for the whole, for the tuition as well as my living, everything. 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:35.000 But this one was a luxury, you know, because **laughs**. So I found a job at a drugstore, with a salary of $1 per hour. At that time dollar was a minmum wage. So I was--So at least I could meet my $75 monthly installment. That’s the best story than I can **laughs** 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:36.000 [EM]: It’s a good story! 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:54.600 [KG]: But everybody was surprised that even the college graduates who were--had the degree and they were working. Still they were shocked that, how come I could **laughing** buy a brand new car? Whereas they were buying cars for $400-500. **laughs** Hm! 00:37:55.100 --> 00:37:56.600 [EM]: How long did that car last you? 00:37:57.200 --> 00:38:30.800 [KG]: Oh, I drove that car--I bought it in ’65, and in ’68 I bought another Chevy, and then I gave my car to my younger brother, who was a doctor at that time. And though he was working, he was staying very close from the hospital, not even half a mile. But he was using it. And then his wife was driving it, you know, too. So I would say, almost good eight or ten years, you know. Last! **laughs**. 00:38:30.600 --> 00:38:32.500 [EM]: **Laughs** See? $2,200! 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.700 [KG]: Well that was fun. 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:42.400 [EM]: Does anything stick out in your mind as a defining experience? 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.600 [KG]: Which experience? 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:46.900 [EM]: A defining experience in your life in a America? 00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:46.100 [KG]: What do you mean by it? 00:38:47.200 --> 00:39:03.400 [EM]: So...like does something, does an experience...stick out in your mind of when you first, you know, felt like you truly were an American? Or you felt truly at home in America? 00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:32.500 [KG]: Well, once the kids were--when the family was here, you know, so. The way she raised the kids, you know, in a much, much better way than what--I never had that kind of teaching from my mother, or father had no time anyway. 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:50.200 But in our, you know, likewise, in our case, also the same thing happened. I never had time after they were ten and twelve, I never saw them till...till they became a college graduate, you know **laughs**. 00:39:51.200 --> 00:39:52.900 [EM]: Was your mom a stay-at-home mom? 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.500 [KG]: Pardon? 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:55.400 [EM]: Was your mother a stay-at-home mother? 00:39:55.900 --> 00:39:56.400 [KG]: Yes. 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:56.800 [EM]: Yes. 00:39:58.300 --> 00:40:02.900 [KG]: But they came and visited me in ’67 when me and my brother were sort of alone. 00:40:05.200 --> 00:40:08.600 [EM]: How did they, how was their experiencing America? 00:40:08.800 --> 00:40:39.200 [KG]: It was different for them, you know. Because mother wasn’t speaking English, you know so. So the only thing was when me and my brother were gone, they both were kind of stayed at home, you know, couldn't do anything much, you know so. And my father was retired at that time, you know so. So they were looking for us to come home, you know. And that’s about it. 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:49.900 But they were visiting us frequently, you know. Either the--my brother's children or--Yeah so they’re frequent visitors here, back and forth. 00:40:50.700 --> 00:40:55.100 [EM]: Do you ever miss life in India? 00:40:56.600 --> 00:40:57.800 [KG]: I wouldn't say that, no. 00:40:59.000 --> 00:41:01.500 [EM]: Do you have a lot of friends that live in India now, or--? 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:08.400 [KG]: There are still--my high school friends are still there. We are in touch. Yeah in still touch and-- 00:41:10.800 --> 00:41:14.200 [EM]: Are you involved in the community at all? Do you do any community--? 00:41:13.600 --> 00:41:14.600 [KG]: I have no time. 00:41:14.600 --> 00:41:15.900 [EM]: No time. I can imagine. 00:41:16.500 --> 00:41:26.000 [KG]: There was absolutely no time. No time to make even friends even in Glenview even, you know **laughs**. Who was our neighbor also, you know, I didn’t know. 00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:37.900 [EM]: Are there any other experiences or memories that you would want your future generations to know about your journey? 00:41:39.400 --> 00:42:02.300 [KG]: No, kids said on their own want business, you know, they started doing the same thing. And now we’ll see that how their kids going to--how our third generation would **laughing** come on, you know. So they are too young, you know. Twelve, eight, five and three, you know, so. 00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:04.200 [EM]: Long way to go. 00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:11.900 [KG]: So, they will do good. I can tell from their--who they are, you know. 00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:19.400 [EM]: Yeah. Do you have any advice for people immigrating? ...To America? 00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:43.300 [KG]: But nowadays the things that are very, very easy. Because the lifestyle is almost--they all know pretty much, you know, what's happening through the TV. And the lifestyle has changed in Bombay, also. So it wasn't shock like what I went through at that time, you know. Fifty some odd years ago. 00:42:44.500 --> 00:43:00.200 So I don’t think that--Again, you, if you go, come, born and raised in the some kind of small village, yeah it would be a shock. But, otherwise, it’s not--it’s pretty simple from that point of view. 00:43:00.200 --> 00:43:04.200 [EM]: Yeah. What about becoming a citizen? 00:43:05.400 --> 00:43:05.800 [KG]: Pardon? 00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:10.400 [EM]: Becoming a citizen? Was it hard? You had to take a test to become a citizen? 00:43:09.600 --> 00:43:12.400 [KG]: No, no, that was nothing like a test, you know. 00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:12.800 [EM]: No?... no? 00:43:13.800 --> 00:43:16.900 [KG]: They ask some questions and that’s about it, you know so. That was little-- 00:43:16.400 --> 00:43:19.000 [EM]: I think the process has changed now... a lot 00:43:18.200 --> 00:43:20.000 [KG]: Huh? Changed? 00:43:22.600 --> 00:43:30.400 [EM]: It wasn't even a worry in your mind? When did you become a citizen? How long after you came here? 00:43:32.400 --> 00:43:58.400 [KG]: I was--In fact she became first one, because she thought that her brothers may come here. So she became first, so she could sponsor. But her brothers had their own business. So they came and visited us and that's about it. So they had no interest in coming, and my family-wise also. My brother also. 00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:23.900 Being a doctor, still after, after seven or eight years, you know, and he went back. He was a kidney specialist, practicing, making good money. He said, “No I'm not happy here. I want to go back.” So he went back, you know so. He was one of the rare doctors, you know, that he went back. And he’s very happy that he went back. 50 years ago. 00:44:23.900 --> 00:44:27.000 [EM]: Wow. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with. 00:44:26.500 --> 00:44:27.900 [KG]: Yes, yes, absolutely right. 00:44:29.300 --> 00:44:34.300 [EM]: Is there anything else that you would like to add that we haven't talked about? Or had questions? 00:44:34.000 --> 00:45:02.100 [KG]: No, I have nothing, nothing to add. Everything depends upon the individual. Some people are happy by working, the big corporations and what not, and that’s their choice. You know so it’s depending upon the individual, you know, what she or he wants to do, you know. It’s up to them. 00:45:03.100 --> 00:45:04.100 [EM]: Awesome, well thank you. 00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:06.700 [KG]: Okay, thank you.