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GOINT NATIVE

‘The guides at Golconda know me’

Photo: Komal Vijay Singh

At home Phillip O’Brien

He is the guy from Down Under who would root for Hyderabad and all things Hyderabadi any day.

Phillip O’Brien, Director, Operations, Oakton Global services Centre (India), an Australian IT services company, in the course of an animated chat, reveals how he cast the deciding vote for setting up the Oakton office in Hyderabad.

“It was a toss-up between Bangalore and Hyderabad. We assessed the availability of IT staff and the infrastructure at both the places. The IT staff was at par in the two cities but we found the infrastructure better here.” Elucidating further, he says,

“Bangalore is creaking under the strain of massive growth. Hyderabad had more room to grow and at a faster rate than Bangalore. Whereas Bangalore is building on yesterday, Hyderabad is growing for tomorrow.”

A big fan of Indian food even in Australia, he is thoroughly enjoying the culinary experiences here. “I love the biryani made by my cook here. I enjoy having the vegetarian food served in the office canteen with my staff. Just last Sunday, we were invited to a Muslim wedding by a friend of my driver’s. The fare there was lip-smacking.” Plus, he digs into the Indian delicacies dished out at the Bidri in Marriott.

He has been told by his colleagues he is more Hyderabadi than all of them. “I’m the only non-Indian in the building. We have a strength of 85 and we have to take it to 300. I believe they can teach me more than I can.”

Phillip considers himself an expert on the Golconda Fort. He has been there umpteen times, on his own as well as escorting the frequent guests from Australia. “The guides there recognise me,” he laughs. His wife, on the other hand, is quite an authority on the bangle market near Charminar.

“More than the shopping, my wife and I enjoy the variety and difference of the experience here. We can’t pick up many clothes from here since I am 6’4” and my wife is 6’1” tall.

Just browsing through the shops at Abids is fun. In fact, a small crowd follows her when she goes shopping because of her height,” he politely smiles. Yeah, bidri art decoratives are what he absolutely loves buying for sure with his wife. Sweetly, he proclaims, “I have the best driver and cook in Hyderabad. But I miss the freedom to drive anywhere without a destination in mind. No point cribbing about the power cuts. ”

For Phillip, who may be here till 2010, as he is committed to the India operations here, Hyderabad is home.

“I have to go to Australia on official trips for about two weeks every quarter. Catching up with everyone in the office there, friends and family becomes so hectic that I can’t wait to head home to Hyderabad to just relax.”

This is one guy whose heart beats for Hyderabad like a true-blue native’s.

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