We are victim of our growth. Humanity is 7 billion and growing. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There’s enough for people’s need, there isn’t enough for people’s greed.” The world order is inequitable. The worst sufferers are teeming millions of young people, who have the energy and drive, but no jobs, no real and positive avenues to life and opportunities for a productive engagement with rest of the world. The rising violence, radicalism, or other hate crimes, unrest in the society is a consequence of the fact that the youth, and society as a whole, is disillusioned and bitter, they have not been given their due.

Food security will be a challenge. It is important to maintain a balance between traditional agriculture practices and use of technology. I belong to Hindi heartland of India. Farmers to me are the agriculture scientists—custodian of traditional knowledge of the soil types, water, climate and biodiversity, is bequeathed to them for generations. Inadvertent use of technology has resulted in problems. Punjab is a glaring example. There’s a move towards the basics—organic food. The food security would require a focused approach keeping the needs of the farmer at the forefront.

I believe that people who are handicapped for whatever reason, are also blessed with some special ability. In other words, adverse circumstance shapes their hidden talent. Also, to hone that hidden talent can ensure people a life of dignity and self-reliance. To be able to do that, achieve that, there’s a need of constant, affirmative and supportive attitude of the society, government and various other stakeholders. The society at large should be able to cater to their special needs to reap benefits of their special abilities. That calls for a focused approach.

I am against gender discrimination, both positive and negative. I demand and will work for an equitable treatment of women. Parochial and patriarchal mindset is ingrained in our societies—East or West—which prevents half of the humanity to realise their inherent potential, their talent. Gender roles limits capabilities of society. The women have come forward, but men have to mend their ways.

A clean environment is life force. Nature is the mother. Nature can be fury. Last 200 years of unbridled development has made humanity achieve the improbable, but in the process, have made the world a furnace and a chimney. The essential balance of nature seems to be disturbed. There are potent signs for humanity to change the way it treats the environment in its quest to excel or face disastrous consequences.

As I mentioned earlier, sports is the simplest and most effective tool for social transformation. Sports inculcates a sense of fair play, is an essential part of education, is a must for a healthy society, and ensures legitimate and just engagement of people from all walks of life. The idea was to persuade poverty-stricken families—those residing in shanties and slums in subhuman conditions—to allow their children, including girls, and youth, to play for some time every day.