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
APARNA SEN, Actress, director, editor
We are still not aggressive about ourselves -- we still
find it hard to sell ourselves, it's the done thing in
the West, to tell others how good you are. There is still
a certain humility in an Indian.
India exists in several time-frames at the same time.
Parts of India exist in the 18th century and parts in the
21st century. In parts of India, you feel like part of a
global village, and in other parts, you feel like you are
as far apart as Mars. But in all parts of India there is
an Indianness. I am a minuscule part of everything India
is. And wherever I go I take that part with me.
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. 
APARNA SEN, Actress, director, editor
