If there is one thing that the Indian parliament has never had to contend with – it is generational divide. For the first time in the history of Indian Parliament, the under-40s have a noteworthy presence in the Lok Sabha – the 14^th since the first elected Parliament in 1952. Still not a number to reckon with – they are 36-strong in a House of 545 MPs – almost a quantum leap from an insignificant nine in the earlier – the 13^th – Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha, or the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, is made up of elected representatives from India’s 28 States and 7 Union Territories. In a country where half the electorate is between the ages 18-35, many of whom are politically disengaged with no serious allegiance to any political party, with little confidence in the government and very few opting for conventional politics, it does not come as a surprise that political parties are trying to woo the young, encouraging them to participate in the political process and grooming them for leadership roles.

The happy other-half of the story is that the process has begun.

The South Asian Life & Times met three young parliamentarians – Sachin Pilot, Milind Deora, and Jyotiraditya Scindia, all from the Indian National Congress (our committed and relentless efforts to meet with the rising stars from other parties were only met with disinterested and unhelpful staffers, and in some instances – just a wall of silence), from diverse backgrounds –with political pedigree. Refreshingly honest, they understand the ground realities, are tolerant, secular, and socially permissive. They are unsupportive of ‘casteism’ and communalism, and not in denial about the need for political reform. Their voice is different from the political mainstream. It is not a power-hungry voice and resonates strongly of honest and good intentions. They have multiple degrees from the finest business schools, corporate experience - and a worldview. Experience – they are gathering. Their leisure interests are varied – Deora is a jazz guitarist and enjoys Blues and Rock, Pilot has a flying license, and Scindia enjoys reading philosophy and history. They are all family-oriented, suave, sophisticated, articulate – and grounded.

We spoke with them on various issues – and reproduce our conversations on the following pages.

Read the entire story in the October - December 2008  print edition of

The South Asian Life & Times

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