What do the BRIC nations think of us? Karan Chanana, India
Much has been written about the 'BRIC' nations and their attitudes to business, but what do they think about Britain? Sophie Dening finds out if we're India's cup of tea.The so-called BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China account for a quarter of the world's land mass and their economies are growing rapidly. Much has been written about their cultures and their attitudes to business, but what do they think about us? We spoke to professionals from all four countries who currently live and work in London. Karan Chanana, 41, CEO of an Indian food companyI made my base in London two years ago — I also have a home in Dubai, where my company is headquartered. I'd already been visiting London for more than 20 years. I like everything about it: the parks, the black cabs, the low-rise architecture, the language — everything apart from the weather. Because of our colonial history, London is well known among Indian people — it's a very popular city and, of course, it's the capital of the English-speaking world. The English language acts as a common thread, binding the subcontinent together, and providing a level of comfort to Indians who come to London. Here in London, there is more to do in your leisure time. The food scene has changed dramatically since the 1980s. It used to be nothing to talk about — now it is perhaps the gourmet capital of the world. Even in the outskirts of the city, there is quality and variety — partly owing to the number of nationalities living here. London offers some of the best Indian food in the world. A new generation of Indian chefs is transforming the very best of Indian traditional recipes with a modern European fusion to give an unbeatable experience.Creativity in London is amazing, too: when it comes to shooting TV commercials or having packaging designed, there is immense creative talent to exploit. London and its creative industries set the benchmark. And education, as everyone knows, is a definite strength for the British.
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