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
KAIFI AZMI, Urdu poet, diehard socialist
We sacrificed so much for our Independence. Today we need
to sacrifice more to save it. Because it is harder to
keep Independence in the right direction than to protect
it.
Fundamentalism, Hindu or Muslim, is the obstacle in our
progress. All plans are stopped because of one cow or one
masjid. This is the Hindustan of today.
I was born in enslaved Hindustan, I am living in
Independent Hindustan and I will die in a socialist
Hindustan. This is not a dream. My life and poetry are
tied to this. I am still walking on the same path and
will die on it one day.
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. 
KAIFI AZMI, Urdu poet, diehard socialist
