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'If the world is the body, India is its soul'

'I sense a revolution coming; there is more awareness about what is going on around us. The indifference towards the state of the country is slowly disappearing.'

'The one question that I ask myself is what India I want to give my son. More importantly, I also ask myself what son I want to give this country,' says actor Vivek Oberoi, in our continuing series where well-known Indians tell us what they love most about India.

We have become so used to complaining about the state of our country that we have forgotten what it is to celebrate India, to celebrate what India stands for.

So I think this is a really great initiative by Rediff. There is no better time than now to look back and celebrate our nation as it takes giant steps into the future.

India grows and thrives (despite its politicking). It is ridiculous (the kind of politicking that goes on in India) but at the same time it is amazing how we grow in spite of it.

Surely, there is something that we are doing right. We are obviously being able to look above petty politics, work together and grow as one.

I sense a revolution coming; there is more awareness about what is going on around us. The indifference towards the state of the country is slowly disappearing. It is obvious that we want to make a change and we want to make a difference.

India at 67 will be a new India.

Twelve crore (120 million) Indians are to vote for the first time and they will ask what India they want to be a part of.

It is here that we (the slightly older Indians) come in.

I have just become a father and the one question that I ask myself is what India I want to give my son. More importantly, I also ask myself what son I want to give this country.

These will be crucial questions that many of us will have to answer in the years to come.

Remember, India's sphere of influence is powerful and is only growing.

If the world is the body, India is its soul. India has a lot to offer to this world and we are the ones who can make it happen.

Vivek Oberoi, one of India's most talented actors, has acted in over 25 films. His recent film Krrish 3 was one of this year's biggest successes.

He spoke to Abhishek Mande Bhot. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com