- I grew up in Delhi, India – a sprawling metropolis of 32 million people (just for comparison, the NYC metro has 20 million). Delhi has a history dating back to 1400 BC, making it one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
- India has 22 official languages, as recognized in the Indian Constitution. However, I am fluent in just three of them – Bengali (my mother tongue, my name in Bengali letters অরিন্দম), Hindi (अरिन्दम) and English (Arindam). I had to learn all three of them since my kindergarten days. On top of that, I had to learn Sanskrit – an ancient Indian language. Honestly, I remember little of Sanskrit since we never had to use it outside of the Sanskrit class.
- I came to UAlbany for my PhD after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics from Delhi University. I was torn between majoring in history and economics for my college degree. It was just on a whim I decided to pursue economics instead of history.
- Prior to joining Siena in 2009, I taught for a year at Hartwick College. Teaching in a liberal arts environment at Hartwick was an eye-opening experience for me. My experience at Hartwick helped me to secure my current position at Siena. It’s been a wonderful experience so far being in Siena.
- I have a younger sister who lives in Germany with her husband and a five-year old-son. My nephew, growing up in Germany, is juggling three languages – Bengali, German and English. He is still trying to figure out how not to jumble up three languages.
- My wife, Debjani, and I met in NYC. Her job mainly revolved around NYC and surrounding areas. Because of our job situation, we maintain residences both closer to NYC and in Albany. So, I get to visit NYC often, and I really enjoy being there.
- I love to travel. In 2006, I did a cross-country road trip from Seattle, WA to Towson, MD with two friends. Then in 2017, I completed a cross-country road trip in India. When I was two, my parents took me on a road trip all over India. This time, I took my parents on a trip that lasted 45 days and covered over 5000 miles. It was an awesome experience. I have also done a wildlife safari in Kenya – another jaw dropping experience.
- I have visited eight countries – Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Kenya, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Romania and Canada. Yes, I visited Dracula’s castle typically refers to Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet Count Dracula.
- For Debjani and I, our favorite place to visit is Niagara Falls. We have visited Niagara Falls at least 15 times over the years.
- I am an avid table tennis player. I play at least twice a week. Every Thursday, I travel to Kingston, NY to play in a club. My USATT rating is roughly 1600, considered an early advanced level.
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