'India's youth have to get involved'

Making India Awesome

Q. Why do you think India is ready to read Making India Awesome?
A. I think we are ready because we have now tried to do several things, change government, protest on the streets, take sides and it doesn't lead to anything. We just had a washed out parliament session despite a majority government. It shows that to solve India's problems more of us have to get involved and solve issues at a societal level.

Q. A large portion of the content focuses on India's youth. Do you believe that the next generation is in the mood to listen, or have they run out of patience and wish to see the ‘change'?
A. I think they will have to listen and get involved. The notion that I have voted and now my problems will be solved is wrong. It's not working. We have to really understand a micro level what all of us can do.

Q. How much has India changed since the time you began writing Five Point Someone till now?
A. It's grown economically, we have had more youth in the workforce than ever before. The level of political engagement and rise of the media has also been huge.

Chetan Bhagat

Q. Have you ever thought of starting a forum, a platform or some kind of foundation where the youth can be at the fore of social change?
A. These platforms exist and people who run them do a better job than I would. All I can do is use my reach to get more people involved on national issues.

Q. Have you thought of joining politics?
A. I have thought about it but I think it handicaps you. It limits what you can say and you spend more time trying to stay in power than doing good for the country.

Making India Awesome, Chetan Bhagat, Rupa & Co, Rs 176. The book will be released on Wednesday, August 19