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 HEMANT PITHWA

NUSLI WADIA, Grandson of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, industrialist
We have been insular all these years. And to go global, we must realise that our culture must stand on its identity and its inner strengths. By inviting KFC, Coca-Cola or McDonald's, we don't lose our culture.

I don't think Jinnah wanted Pakistan. He was negotiating, and put in a demand for it which he never dreamt would come true. I think it was Nehru who was responsible. There was never any rivalry between Gandhi and Jinnah, but between Nehru and Jinnah.

I never wanted to live in Pakistan, because I didn't inherit Jinnah's politics. I was brought up as a Parsi, I was brought up as an Indian. One time, because of my lineage, I was asked to join politics by Sanjay Gandhi, to exploit my grandfather and the Muslim connection. I didn't get lured and I have no regrets.

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