In this video, Venkatesh Rajan, a former journalist, educator, thinker, and currently organic farmer, explores the impact colonial thinking and its legacy of imitation has had and continues to have on every aspect of Indian life – its culture and its economic, political and education systems. “How can a nation of imitators produce anything that is good or original?” he asks.

We often hear the term “sustainable future” – but what this means according to Rajan has far deeper implications than merely ‘greening’ systems based on the values of modern capitalism. Can Bharat (pre-modern India) offer values that are as profound in their universality, as they are fluid in their contextual application? In other words, can the pragmatic wisdom of ‘Bharat’ versus the shallow imitation of modern ‘India’, inspire an innovative, holistic vision for the future? That is, one that retains the authenticity and integrity of cultural diversity.