For
some, the thoughts come easily, dripping with patriotism
or pure venom. For others, it needs hours of conversation
for the words and feelings, usually buried deep or hardly
ever considered, to surface. INDIA
TODAY presents frank, unguarded
thoughts of some of the best known -- and some totally
unknown -- people across the nation who make up the
fabric of India. After 50 years of Independence, this is
the voice of India, a reflection of who we are. It shows
how far we have come. And how far we need to go.
Interview by KALLI PURIE
Photograph by BANDEEP SINGH
SATISH DHAWAN, Member, Space
Commission, believes in brain gain
Right now, India is free, free to muck around. But
notice that in human terms we have made tremendous
advances. We are surrounded by many countries but which
one would you choose to live in? Singapore? What is
Singapore doing, just making money? Or Switzerland? An
advanced country but where women were given the right to
vote just 15 years ago. So which one would you want to be
with? Indian women or Swiss banks? But India has taken
steps to build equality of human beings. And that is a
larger step than anything you can do in technology.
Technology can be learnt. This has to be felt, lived.
People are not leaving the country for the greater cause
of science. They are going for the greater cause of
themselves. All right, as an individual, you have one
life to live. But then, don't come back and tell me how I
should run India. Come and work here. And through your
work, whatever you have to say, do it.
For
some, the thoughts come easily, dripping with patriotism
or pure venom. For others, it needs hours of conversation
for the words and feelings, usually buried deep or hardly
ever considered, to surface. INDIA
TODAY presents frank, unguarded
thoughts of some of the best known -- and some totally
unknown -- people across the nation who make up the
fabric of India. After 50 years of Independence, this is
the voice of India, a reflection of who we are. It shows
how far we have come. And how far we need to go. 
SATISH DHAWAN, Member, Space
Commission, believes in brain gain
