Kerala, India
Sr. Staff IC Design Engineer, Broadcom
Been in Singapore since October 2007
Currently a Singapore Permanent Resident
As head of a young family, a good work–life balance is of top
priority to Avinash. The 34–year–old design engineer emphasises
this when talking about his work in Digital Video Technology for
Broadcom, a leading communication chip designer headquartered in
California.
“I’m very happy to work here,” Avinash states. “There may not be
a big design industry in Singapore, but my job offers a good deal
of flexibility in the working hours, as long as I deliver.”
The doting father of a two–year–old boy relishes his position,
which allows him to work from home often. “Most weeks I don’t even
spend five days in the office,” he says. Part of this is due to the
need to teleconference with other parts of the world at odd hours,
as the company has offices throughout the United States, Europe,
and Asia. There are also tight timelines where the work has to be
done as soon as any input is received, whatever the time of day or
night. Some days involve difficult hours, but the flexibility also
means Avinash can find time for his family and himself.
“I spend most of my free time with my son,” he shares. “I also
read when I can, and play tennis twice a week with my uncle and two
friends at the condominium’s facility.”
The family enjoys a busy social life. They meet their friends
regularly at one another’s homes; large gatherings are organised
every few months. It was one of these friends, an ex–colleague, who
enticed him to make the move to Singapore three years ago.
“It is easy to live here,” Avinash admits. He left his home in
Kerala on the south–western Indian coast for work in Indianapolis
in the U.S. years ago, spent 2.5 years working in Penang from 2002,
and 3 years in Bangalore in 2007. “I’m comfortable working
anywhere, with different people, in different cultures. Still, it’s
good to be in Asia.”
In his current Physical Design department , Avinash works
alongside three Malaysians, a Burmese, a Chinese, and a
Singaporean. We meet on a regular basis and have meals together
everyday. Only some folks utilise the flexibility. Most of the team
is in the office on a daily basis.
Before moving here, the young professional had visited Singapore
several times to see his friends and relatives. Then a swinging
bachelor, Avinash initially found Singapore “too ordered”. Now,
however, he has an appreciation for how “things fall into place –
processes are simple, infrastructure is reliable”.
Avinash relates how his wife, who is in the finance sector,
found it a breeze coming to work in Singapore. “The immigration
process in Singapore is a piece of cake!” Avinash considers it a
big plus. “I took two weeks for Singapore, and could get it done
online.”
The couple have just bought an HDB condominium in Admiralty,
just 2km down the road from Avinash’s office. HDB, or Housing and Development
Board, is the government agency in charge of public housing.
Avinash’s wife does most of the cooking at home. Avinash comments,
“It’s easy to come by Indian food in Singapore. There is also a
large variety of restaurants here, ranging from high-end
restaurants to casual eateries. And I love going out with my
Chinese and Malay friends to try different foods!”
Avinash drives a Nissan, even though he feels it’s not very
necessary in Singapore, as public transport is convenient.
“Considering how close to work I live, plus I drive away from the
city, I’m the last person to complain about traffic here!” he
laughs. His wife takes a company bus to her workplace.
A family friend from Kerala takes care of their son while the
couple are at work, though Avinash notes he has the option of using
childcare centres, which he feels belongs to a system that is “more
organised” than in many other countries.
When it comes to his son’s future education, the young father
likes having a choice of paths: between one of the many
International schools that Singapore hosts (including the Global
Indian International School, which has three campuses in Singapore)
or local schools.
“I like that we’re living in a First World city, close to home.
We’ve been away from our parents too long,” says Avinash. The
Ravindranathans return to India once or twice a year, and their
parents in turn visit them in Singapore. The island’s status as a
travel hub means they get many visitors, like old school mates, who
often drop by on transit during their journeys. Indeed, the region
beckons, and they have been to Bali, Phuket, Malaysia. Avinash
declares, “Lots of opportunity to travel!”
On weekends, the family enjoys visiting the many parks around
Singapore. Avinash reels off a list of favourites: Lower Seletar
Reservoir, Upper Pierce Reservoir, Hort Park, the Tree-top Walk...
“Parks are always nice, accessible, and have lots of space for my
son to run around in,” he smiles. They also visit cultural and
tourist sites.
“In Singapore there are many opportunities to get acquainted
with different art forms. We like Chinese puppet shows, for
example, and my wife and I used to attend these and other cultural
performances often, until our son came along,” he muses.
He is closely involved in the Mudra Cultural Society, which
showcases traditional Indian art forms. Kathakali, a dance-drama
based on Indian mythology, was introduced to Singapore with a show
in July and Avinash was in charge of the event’s magazine. 10
performers were brought in from premier institutes in India,
drawing about 800 spectators in all.
Avinash believes more diversity can only improve the country. He
says, “In Singapore, any activities you want to do, you can
do.”
