Snapshots - meet Mr N.S. Nagpal (by Joe)

This is Mr N.S. Nagpal.

He is 64 and owns a small restaurant near the airport in Mumbai (formerly Bombay).

Mr Nagpal was born in a small town in what is now Pakistan in 1943. His family left there in 1947 when the Indian empire was split by the British into India and Pakistan at the end of the Raj (the split, a time of mass migration marked by widespread ethnic and religious violence, is known as 'partition').

As Sikhs, his parents feared for their future in Muslim Pakistan, and arrived in Bombay (on a train from Lahore) as penniless refugees.

Mr Nagpal has built his restaurant business over the past 40 years. He is concerned about increasing competition from newer restaurants, but is greatly encouraged by major plans to expand the nearby airport. He is confident the development will increase the value of his property.

Mr Nagpal says he believes "all success begins with sound finances" and that India (and Mumbai specifically) will grow strong "now that the country has a highly educated Sikh with a financial background" as Prime Minister. He thought it 'very smart' that I had married an accountant.

Mr Nagpal believes it crucial that India is strong politically and economically. He says "it is very good that India is making friends with Mr Bush and Mr Blair."

He sees, on balance, the Raj and British colonialism as a good thing. Although he says the British 'took a lot for themselves', they left India with 'good laws', 'good education', 'proper' transport (the railways) and 'cricket'.

Mr Nagpal asked us about Hounslow and how successful Sikhs are viewed in England.

Mr Nagpal has three sons. They have all followed him into the restaurant business. He is proud of them. However, as a final word of advice, he suggests we should have fewer than three children.

"They are very expensive" he says. "Why carry three bags when you could carry just one?"

Joe