Thinking Global in Minnesota Think Global: Public radio collaboration A tale of two companies How China saved the Iron Range Timber competes in the global marketplace Aveda goes global Buying local: does it make a difference? Tracking livestock to prevent disease Bringing global goods to American markets Volunteers share their time abroad School lunches go international Immigrants bring old grievances to new home Walker redefines the art 'world' Minnesota's global faces: An interactive map An immigration timeline Audio Krishna Rao explains why he decided to come to the U.S. Rao on why he chose Minnesota Rao compares working in Minnesota and India Rao describes his hometown of Madras Rao comments on 'reverse brain drain' Rao explains what he found hardest to get used to in Minnesota Rao describes what he likes about Minnesota Photos Krishna Rao More from MPR Return to interactive map Resources CIA World Factbook: More about India Tools E-mail this page Print this page Sponsor

India: Krishna Rao
by Julie Siple, Minnesota Public Radio
May 15, 2005

Krishna Rao at his desk at Medtronic. (MPR Photo/Julie Siple)

New Brighton, Minn. — Krishna Rao, 24, is from Madras, India. He's an associate software engineer at Medtronic.

Rao came to Minnesota in the fall of 2001 to do his graduate work at the University of Minnesota. After completing a masters degree in computer science, he got an internship at Medtronic, and eventually a full time job.

Rao is now developing software that gets embedded in machines and devices. He is currently working on a device that would provide treatment for enlarged prostates.

Slightly more than one-third the size of the U.S., India is home to more than one billion people. The country is located in southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. New Dehli, located in the north, is India's capital.

The official languages of India are Hindi and English, but many other languages are also spoken. Indians are 81.3 percent Hindu, 12 percent Muslim, and 2.3 percent Christian. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leads the government; India is the world's largest democracy.

India has received significant attention recently for its contributions to the high-tech economy. The southern city of Bangalore is often considered its high-tech hub.