What it Means to be an Indian

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

JAYANT RAO TILAK, Grandson of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, politician
Many people feel India will not stay together for long. I don't agree. We are emotionally one. There is a will to be a nation. I have seen Indian citizens giving their blood, life and land, nobody can demolish them. That's why I feel we are not short of anything. The only thing we don't have is discipline.

Jinnah was Tilak's disciple. Tilak worked for Hindu-Muslim unity. I think Jinnah changed later because of Gandhiji's attitude. Gandhiji wanted to be the leader of all Hindus and Muslims and Jinnah wasn't ready to accept that.

And me? What am I if I'm not an Indian? I was born here, my heritage binds me, as does our attitude to life: Vasudeva kutumbkam, all the people of the world are one.

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