Wednesday, March 23 2005 12:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: A packed audience at the committee room of the House of Commons last night (Mar 22, 2005) heard a fascinating discussion on 'Being Indian, Inside the Real India' the latest book by Pavan K Varma, Director of the Nehru Centre in London.

Chaired by Lord Bhikhu Parekh of the London School of Economics, the participants in the panel discussion included Professor Judith Brown, a Professor at the Oxford University, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, well-known columnist, Professor Lord Meghnad Desai, Emeritus Professor of Economics with London School of Economics, Kamalesh Sharma, Indian High Commissioner and Baroness Usha Prasher, the first civil service commissioner.

While Pavan Varma admitted that Indians lacked social sensitivity, Professor Judith pointed out that there could be no single characteristic, which can be ascribed to any single national.

She noted that primary education in India has been ignored all these years.

Meghnad Desai said, "We should not be hypocrite by proclaiming high ideals from roof top but should be practical in acknowledging the success."

Alibhai-Brown was appreciative of the fact that though her family had left India long back, they always had special attachment to the country. She said after many years she had gone to India last year and was absolutely delighted to visit her roots.

Kamalesh Sharma spoke about the success of democracy in India while Prof Bhikhu Parikh, a former vice chancellor of the Baroda University, said a frank analysis of the ground situation in India was a healthy sign and the book would be a very valuable addition to books on India.