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
MANI RATNAM, Film director, entertainer with a cause
Listen, if the TV comes into your home, it will not take
your grandmother out of the house. This 200 years of
western influence cannot destroy what is 5,000 years old.
There is no need to feel insecure about Indianness. If
you have it, and love it, you will not lose it. This
feeling of belonging is like belonging to a home. To feel
patriotism for your country is like caring for someone
you love.
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. 
MANI RATNAM, Film director, entertainer with a cause
