Dr. Venugopal Menon, the eldest of seven from a middle-class family in pre-independent India, was raised with time-tested traditions. After earning his medical degree, he served as a doctor in the army and then left his centuries-old culture and ties with his ancestry in search of the American dream. Dr. Menon established himself as a successful physician, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow of the Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and becoming the president of a reputable clinic. He was invited and inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Medicine, London, and was involved in several professional, cultural, religious, and philanthropic endeavors. He and his wife raised three children who are successfully settled and involved in a variety of social causes while maintaining ties with India and their relatives. Dr. Menon has been married to Devi for fifty years, and they live in a Kerala-style home in Pearland, Texas, visiting their six grandchildren whenever they can break away from their social involvements.
My Mother Called Me Unni
A Doctor's Tale of Migration
by Dr. Venugopal K. Menon
My Mother Called Me Unni
A Doctor's Tale of Migration
by Dr. Venugopal K. Menon
Published Nov 24, 2015
324 Pages
Genre: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs
Book Details
“A fascinating and admirable history. The detailed and descriptive chapters in this book create entire cultural worlds for readers to learn from, enjoy, and remember.” —Chitra Divakaruni, international award-winning and bestselling author, Houston, TX
"A fascinating and admirable history. The detailed and descriptive chapters in this book create entire cultural worlds for readers to learn from, enjoy, and remember." -Chitra Divakaruni, international award-winning and bestselling author, Houston, TX.*** “An inspiring story, a wonderful saga of a migrant in America.” —Tom Reid, Mayor of Pearland, TX.*** “An engaging memoir of a doctor, an Indian American.” —Aseem Chhabra, columnist for India Abroad, NY.*** “Provides an interesting reading of a diasporic longing for home.” —Professor Sanoo Master, writer, critic, humanist, Kerala, India.*** “Unbelievable…interesting and fascinating reading.” —Padma Shri Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali, dancer, actress, former MP, Chennai, India.*** “Remarkable journey from his native land of India to America.” —John K. Graham, MD, D. Min, President/CEO, ISH., Houston, TX.*** “Enjoyable and authentic descriptions; touching; impressive.” —Padma Vibhushan, professor, physicist, Dr. E.C.G. Sudarshan, Austin, TX.***
Book Excerpt
‘My Mother Called Me Unni: A Doctor’s Tale of Migration’ is the story of one man who left his homeland India in the late 1960s to find his own destiny in the melting pot of the United States. Today, Indian Americans are the wealthiest and most educated minority group in the country. This is one of such stories. Out of enigmatic experiences comes this surprising yet uplifting portrait of life, nurtured by the cherished childhood teachings of his ancient heritage to question, understand, and ultimately assimilate into and excel in his new country; an exhilarating realization of the American Dream. This book is essential reading for every migrant who left the land of their birth in search of a different destiny, and for those who are curious to know what that’s like.