Being Indian to me means being part of the biggest free society in the world -- I'm tired of using the term biggest democracy. It is the only society with 1 billion people of which 3 million are poor, we have such diversity yet we do not have problems like violence every day.

We enjoy invaluable rights defined by our Constitution -- the freedom of speech, expression, right to receive, impart information. We can say what we want, we have the right to criticise and also tolerate criticism.

We are free to do what we want as long as we don't hurt anyone. There is a lot of freedom under our Constitution and we must understand and enjoy that.

I am proud every day to be an Indian. Internationally, India is being recognised as an economic power but it was always a cultural power.

In the one year that I have been MP, the greatest achievement has been in the way the world is treating India. The prime minister's visit to the USA was an example of how India is being perceived by the world. I give credit to Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for their leadership.

When I go abroad, people tell me with great respect that my PM is an economist, and the president of our party sacrificed the highest post -- look at it, it could have been Mrs Sonia Gandhi meeting President Bush. I look at these people who are committed, well informed, well intentioned and see hope.

I cherish my independence every day, not only on one day.