All types of shoe products
developed by Nag.

Nag with wife Sonia and
daughters Piya and Munia in a
Taichung restaurant.

Nag's family with the Dalai
Lama in India.

Shoe acessories that D. Nag
has collected from all over
Taichung

Looking back at over 20 years in Taichung

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

Over two decades ago, Calcutta native D. Nag met local resident Sonia Su during a business meeting. Since that time, the couple and their family have called Taiwan home.

Nag has a professional background in shoes, mechanics and design. Recalling his initial arrival in Taiwan, he said that he and his wife tried finding an office in Taipei but found Taichung was the place to be.

"Most shoe manufacturers we work with are in central Taiwan. After traveling all around the island, seeking for a suitable location to start our business, we decided on Taichung for its central location and pleasant weather," he said. "Plus, I really like how Taichung has the grandeur of a metropolis but not the anxiety and tension. Instead, it has a more relaxed environment and slower pace of life."

In the end, they found an office for 30 people in Nantun district. Currently, his company also has offices in New Delhi, Calcutta and Madras in India and various locations in China. At the same time, the convenience of the High Speed Rail and Taichung Airport offers Nag the ease of traveling to other cities for business meetings on short notice.

With their eldest daughter graduating from high school and a busy work schedule, Nag's wife said that his life was all about work and family these days. They often visit the nearby Xiang Shang Market, the various tea shops along "Tea Street" (JingMing 1st Street) or the Cacti Indian Restaurant on CunZhong Street.

"Do what you want to do. Once you decide what you want to do, you need to make the best of it!" is the advice Nag gave to his two daughters. He believes that the similar family values of Taiwanese and Indian societies and cultures have provided the comfort that has allowed him to remain in Taichung for over 20 years.

Because of his shoe business, Nag is also a shoe collector. Aside from the various materials and finished shoe products lying around his office, there are also many eccentric shoe ornaments. Nag proudly displayed his collection, noting, "Some of these are brought back from abroad, but most are from department stores or night markets in Taichung. When my wife and daughters are busy shopping, I'm busy looking for shoes."

Nag's enjoyment of his shoe products and years in Taichung aptly represent a combining of experiences from Taiwan, India and China and, like this continually-developing metropolis, he continues to move towards a brighter future one step at a time.

Artwork by Nag's daughters, Piya and Munia.