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
PRADEEP LAL, Businessman, wheelchair-tennis player
I believe in the maximum use of minimum resources. It is
what I have to do in my situation. There are no
provisions made for us in this country. Most of the
disabled people who, like me, don't have cars, don't come
out. They sit in their houses, worrying about how they
will go out. As a result, the leaders are totally
insensitive to us. Disabled people are irrelevant to
politicians because their votes don't count, since most
of them can't make it to the polling booths.
Abroad, the facilities are fantastic. You can do all the
normal things. While I was in Japan, I felt like throwing
away my passport and keep on staying in Japan. But you
can't stay anywhere for long. In the West, they can give
you everything materially, but there are no ties, no
bond.
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. 
PRADEEP LAL, Businessman, wheelchair-tennis player
