I like India's musical heritage. I think our classical music forms a wonderful base of every other kind of music. Indian classical music is the mother of all music. Our taals have so many different permutations and combinations which I find is lacking in Western classical music.

I think in India we do everything as well and better than the West. But we need to believe in that.

Indian culture is again very unique. The entire concept of family is so genuine here. The way we treat our elders with so much respect, the way we treat our teachers is the best thing about India.

However, what young people need to do is explore the opportunities that are available to them today. Most youngsters want to be engineers or doctors. They are other professions to be explored in art, music and theatre but these are opportunities that are not taken advantage of. There is a herd mentality that exists among our people.

We need a better education system, which reaches out to the lower strata of our society. Education cannot just be bookish.

India 56, Archives  Email this page to a friend

I feel optimistic about India now. I feel that if we continue the momentum in doing the things that we are doing right now, one of which is the development of the software industry, then India has a good chance of making it as a world superpower.