He wanted to run his own business and live in a house with a view of the ocean. What he didn't know was that he would achieve all that, but in a different country and a different clime.
Now the owner of a successful automotive engineering business, Mahender has realised his dream.
"We have managed to buy a large, six bedroom house with a double garage, a lovely garden and grounds where the boys can play safely. From our house we can see across Wellington harbour, and next door there is a public reserve area which is just great. Our neighbourhood is quiet and we are very happy here. This is the sort of house we have always dreamed about."