Wednesday, January 23, 2008 (New Delhi)
Indian Republic is 59 years old and never has the fever of nationalism been so high as it is now. India is happening and Indian has become a fashion statement. As the nation gets ready to celebrate its 59th Republic Day, NDTV.com caught up with industrialist turned politician and a die-hard-nationalist Naveen Jindal.
Q. Why do you think nationalism is in fashion now?
I think more than nationalism, being patriotic is in fashion. This is because of the newfound confidence amongst Indians. Indian corporates, professionals and Indian leaders are well respected all over the world. We are on the right path and doing well.
Q. Do you think the 'India' buzz within the country and outside the country is here to stay?
It is a real world out there; the world is showing respect for Indians, Indian companies and for India as a country. It is obviously very very real.
Now, talking of India, a large portion of the population is still untouched by this prosperity. In spite of this, we are on the right track; a sizable population is already doing well. But still a lot more needs to be done. Effectiveness and implementation of development schemes need to improve so that the benefits can reach the needy.
Q. So, do you agree that India is truly global now?
Yes, definitely, India is becoming global. We are already there, all we need to do is to be focused, and that's all.
Q. Is this 'India movement' a hurried movement?
No, I don't think so because very quietly we are moving ahead without making any noise about it. All of us are doing well for ourselves and for our country. We can see the change.
Q. Sir, you have been a flag bearer of nationalism in India. How does it feel now to see people flaunting their love for the country?
My fight was that Indians should be allowed to display their own national flag with pride and respect everyday. Earlier, we were allowed to display it only on some days of the year. As a symbolic gesture, everybody has the right to show their love for the country, their faith in the nation. But unfortunately our national flag was just displayed at power centres.
In one of the incidents, Sachin Tendulkar was asked to remove a national flag sticker from his helmet. Everywhere else in the world citizens flaunt their flags, now Indians are doing this as well. When a person displays his national flag, then he or she will also live by the ideals of the flag and what the flag stands for. Ideals of the flag are nothing but the ideals of our Constitution.
I believe whatever India is; it is the result of its people. We are responsible for our problems and issues. We have to work on making the India of our dreams. If we all do our jobs well, then we are the greatest patriots.
I feel very happy to see people wearing the tricolour, it's a dream come true for me. We can now display our national flag on our homes, t-shirts and caps. Our national flag is something that binds us all together.
Q. You are a man of many facets; you are an entrepreneur, a politician and a sportsperson. According to you, which facet of yours has contributed most to the country?
I am jack-of-all-trades.....(laughs). I enjoy doing everything, I love sports. I believe there is one life and I want to do it all. But I would say that I have been contributing both through business and politics. As an industrialist, I have been involved in creating wealth, jobs for the country and adding to the GDP. I am very proud of that. Secondly, in terms of politics, which I joined around four years ago, I have been contributing in my own little way. My father, Late OP Jindal encouraged me to enter politics and do whatever I could do.
Q. What do you have to say about the 'Chak De attitude' in India?
I think it is good. This only comes through confidence, so we have to feel more confident. We have to celebrate this confidence everyday of our lives and keep on working, keep on enjoying because happiness is not about achieving something; happiness is also in the pursuit of it.
Q. What are your plans for this Republic Day?
My wife and I are preparing for the Flag Foundation of India. We are also planning to release a book on Mahatma Gandhi
Q. Why do you think nationalism is in fashion now?
I think more than nationalism, being patriotic is in fashion. This is because of the newfound confidence amongst Indians. Indian corporates, professionals and Indian leaders are well respected all over the world. We are on the right path and doing well.
Q. Do you think the 'India' buzz within the country and outside the country is here to stay?
It is a real world out there; the world is showing respect for Indians, Indian companies and for India as a country. It is obviously very very real.
Now, talking of India, a large portion of the population is still untouched by this prosperity. In spite of this, we are on the right track; a sizable population is already doing well. But still a lot more needs to be done. Effectiveness and implementation of development schemes need to improve so that the benefits can reach the needy.
Q. So, do you agree that India is truly global now?
Yes, definitely, India is becoming global. We are already there, all we need to do is to be focused, and that's all.
Q. Is this 'India movement' a hurried movement?
No, I don't think so because very quietly we are moving ahead without making any noise about it. All of us are doing well for ourselves and for our country. We can see the change.
Q. Sir, you have been a flag bearer of nationalism in India. How does it feel now to see people flaunting their love for the country?
My fight was that Indians should be allowed to display their own national flag with pride and respect everyday. Earlier, we were allowed to display it only on some days of the year. As a symbolic gesture, everybody has the right to show their love for the country, their faith in the nation. But unfortunately our national flag was just displayed at power centres.
In one of the incidents, Sachin Tendulkar was asked to remove a national flag sticker from his helmet. Everywhere else in the world citizens flaunt their flags, now Indians are doing this as well. When a person displays his national flag, then he or she will also live by the ideals of the flag and what the flag stands for. Ideals of the flag are nothing but the ideals of our Constitution.
I believe whatever India is; it is the result of its people. We are responsible for our problems and issues. We have to work on making the India of our dreams. If we all do our jobs well, then we are the greatest patriots.
I feel very happy to see people wearing the tricolour, it's a dream come true for me. We can now display our national flag on our homes, t-shirts and caps. Our national flag is something that binds us all together.
Q. You are a man of many facets; you are an entrepreneur, a politician and a sportsperson. According to you, which facet of yours has contributed most to the country?
I am jack-of-all-
Q. What do you have to say about the 'Chak De attitude' in India?
I think it is good. This only comes through confidence, so we have to feel more confident. We have to celebrate this confidence everyday of our lives and keep on working, keep on enjoying because happiness is not about achieving something; happiness is also in the pursuit of it.
Q. What are your plans for this Republic Day?
My wife and I are preparing for the Flag Foundation of India. We are also planning to release a book on Mahatma Gandhi
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