Manish Tewari's Candid Conversation: Defending Civil Liberties, Democracy, and the Role of Citizens in India's Future

In a freewheeling conversation with Elsa Lycias Joel, Manish Tewari talks about his early days, memories of travelling, how capable and visionary governance can complement our diversities to bring about unity and prosperity, why the government must honour the role of a free press only to foster a successful and stable democracy, why the last 9 years or so look like a spectre of undeclared emergency, a few fundamental revisits to ensure the freedom of speech and expression and catalyze the role of governors so that their actions do not become the subject of controversy in addition to avoiding allegations of political partisanship, experts recognizing paper ballots as one of the most important security measures India must switch over to and why each one of us must derive strength from the diversities that surround us, be more inclusive and commit to equal opportunity for all.

- Elsa Lycias Joel

Given his credentials as a grass root public, political activist, lawyer, politician and Union Minister, Manish’s conversation weaves around defending civil liberties, the right to privacy and defending fundamental principles.

I guess you got an early understanding of national politics, patriotism, nationalism and national integrity from your father and grandparents. When did you decide to follow in their footsteps? 

I think it was a combination of portentous circumstances that impelled the journey. It wasn't something that was purely out of choice. And I guess the involvement then just kept getting deeper.

If I get a chance to rewind the last 40 years of life I would do something differently such as giving my all to my profession first.

Unfortunately in the pursuit of public service, I couldn’t give my profession the amount of time it deserves or which ideally I would have liked to give to it.

With umpteen commitments, do you find time for your favorite sporting activities? 

Well, it is always a tough act to juggle my various commitments. But yes, I do find the time to keep up with my sporting routine. There is not much swimming and water polo these days. I hit the gym a lot because I always enjoy sweating it out.

Which responsibility did you cherish the most-International President of NSUI or Indian Youth Congress or Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting?