Podcast
Questions and Answers
In the passage, Columbus's initial voyage was primarily motivated by which of the following?
In the passage, Columbus's initial voyage was primarily motivated by which of the following?
- Establishing new trade routes to Africa.
- Proving the world was flat.
- Converting princes to Christianity and finding a westerly route to India. (correct)
- Mapping the coastline of the American continents.
What aspect of Bangalore surprised the narrator, leading to reflections on globalization?
What aspect of Bangalore surprised the narrator, leading to reflections on globalization?
- The presence of sacred cows on the roads.
- The advanced technological presence and American business influence. (correct)
- The resort-like atmosphere of the Infosys campus.
- The prevalence of horse-drawn carts.
How did Columbus's perception of the Earth's size influence his voyage?
How did Columbus's perception of the Earth's size influence his voyage?
- He knew the Earth was flat and sought a passage around its edge.
- He accurately calculated the Earth's circumference, leading him directly to India.
- He thought the Earth was larger, anticipating a longer journey to the East Indies.
- He believed the Earth was smaller than it actually is, expecting to reach the East Indies sooner. (correct)
What contrast does the author draw between Columbus's motivations and his own?
What contrast does the author draw between Columbus's motivations and his own?
What led the author to jokingly conclude that 'the world is flat'?
What led the author to jokingly conclude that 'the world is flat'?
What does the description of the Infosys campus suggest about the company's values and priorities?
What does the description of the Infosys campus suggest about the company's values and priorities?
What is the significance of the Columbus journal entry at the beginning of the passage?
What is the significance of the Columbus journal entry at the beginning of the passage?
The phrase 'Gigabites of Taste!' used in a pizza advertisement in India, as described in the passage, most directly suggests what?
The phrase 'Gigabites of Taste!' used in a pizza advertisement in India, as described in the passage, most directly suggests what?
How does the author use the contrasting descriptions of the roads approaching Infosys and the campus itself to convey a message?
How does the author use the contrasting descriptions of the roads approaching Infosys and the campus itself to convey a message?
What detail suggests the author found people in India who were imitating American culture?
What detail suggests the author found people in India who were imitating American culture?
What can be inferred from the statement that the author had 'a small crew from the Discovery Times channel that fit comfortably into two banged-up vans'?
What can be inferred from the statement that the author had 'a small crew from the Discovery Times channel that fit comfortably into two banged-up vans'?
Columbus sailed with the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria to seek a direct route to India because:
Columbus sailed with the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria to seek a direct route to India because:
What is the significance of Columbus calling the aboriginal people he met 'Indians'?
What is the significance of Columbus calling the aboriginal people he met 'Indians'?
According to the passage, what services are Infosys employees performing for American and European companies?
According to the passage, what services are Infosys employees performing for American and European companies?
What motivated the author to travel to India?
What motivated the author to travel to India?
The description of traffic signs and the pizza billboard with 'Gigabites of Taste!', alongside tee markers from Epson, implies that Bangalore is experiencing:
The description of traffic signs and the pizza billboard with 'Gigabites of Taste!', alongside tee markers from Epson, implies that Bangalore is experiencing:
From the description of the Infosys campus, what contributes to its tight security?
From the description of the Infosys campus, what contributes to its tight security?
The author says, 'I actually found India and thought many of the people I met there were Americans.' This most directly implies:
The author says, 'I actually found India and thought many of the people I met there were Americans.' This most directly implies:
The comparison between Columbus and the author primarily serves to:
The comparison between Columbus and the author primarily serves to:
What detail from the passage reinforces the idea that India is increasingly integrated into the global economy?
What detail from the passage reinforces the idea that India is increasingly integrated into the global economy?
Flashcards
Columbus's Voyage Goal
Columbus's Voyage Goal
Columbus sailed west to find a shorter route to India, believing the Earth was round.
Columbus's Mistake
Columbus's Mistake
Columbus miscalculated Earth's size and didn't expect to encounter another landmass before reaching the East Indies.
Why 'Indians'?
Why 'Indians'?
Columbus called the native people he encountered in the New World 'Indians'.
Bangalore's Significance
Bangalore's Significance
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What is Infosys?
What is Infosys?
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Infosys' Role
Infosys' Role
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Study Notes
Introduction: Columbus and India
- Christopher Columbus, commissioned by Catholic monarchs, aimed to find a new route to India
- Columbus was tasked with converting Indian princes and people to Christianity
- He was instructed to travel west, challenging the conventional eastern route, due to a lack of evidence of passage that way
Modern India vs. Columbus's India
- The author visited Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, drawing parallels to Columbus's journey
- Columbus sought a westward route to India for gold, pearls, gems and silk, which were sources of wealth, to bypass Muslim-controlled overland routes
- Columbus believed the Earth was round and smaller than it is, leading him to think he could reach India by sailing west
- However, he didn't anticipate encountering another landmass
Columbus's Discovery and Modern Outsourcing
- Although Columbus never found India, he confirmed the world was round to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
- The author traveled to India via Frankfurt and Lufthansa business class, equipped with GPS, in search of India's riches as well
- Columbus sought precious metals, silk, and spices, while the author sought software, brainpower, and technological advancements
- Columbus intended to enslave the native population for labor in contrast to the author's observation of the outsourcing of service and IT work to India from America
- The author jokingly concludes the world is flat, based on observations starting at Infosys Technologies Limited
Infosys and Modern India
- Nandan Nilekani, the CEO, gave a tour of the Infosys campus outside Bangalore with the Discovery Times crew
- The Infosys campus contains facilities, with advanced tech in a secure environment
- Infosys employees develop software for American and European companies and manage back-end operations of multinationals
- The author observes skilled Indian engineers, highlighting their expertise, in taxes, computers, even design
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