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
FAROOQ ABDULLAH, Chief Minister, secular
hope of Kashmir
This whole state was earlier Hindu
land. We may not accept it, but it's history. Centuries
ago, they converted to Islam because of the caste system
in Hinduism.
I have never been discriminated against personally
because I am Sheikh Abdullah's son, but Muslims are
discriminated against. In Nehru's time it was written, do
not give sensitive jobs to Muslims because here we are in
a majority. Distrust was born here. The discrimination at
the Centre made it very difficult even for my father to
defend the fact that we were part of India. This is what
fundamentalists play on. This is how they breed hatred
for the nation.
A nation can't be built in a single day. It takes
centuries. My destiny is India. It's with my people.
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. 
FAROOQ ABDULLAH, Chief Minister, secular
hope of Kashmir
