What daily concerns are on your mind about the world?
VERMA: Having seen the recent bomb blasts in several areas in India, I think terrorism is the biggest concern all over the world. The U.S. and U.K. have shown initiatives to curb terrorism on a global scale and I sincerely hope that other advanced countries, which have more resources and skilled manpower, unite to nail it down completely.

What is the source of terrorism in India? Who is the target and why?
VERMA: The countries which are not interested in India emerging as a powerful nation but are only interested in creating disturbance in the Indian society are the root cause of terrorism in India; the records speak for themselves.

They use the religious fundamentalist agencies or even encourage such agencies to enact their well thought-out plans to disrupt the Indian government by disturbing the age-old harmony of Muslims and Hindus in India. Before granting independence, the British used agencies to divide and rule India by creating lobbies of Muslims and Hindus. This created a lifelong disharmony in the subcontinent. Since then, this disharmony has continuously been used by foreign powers to create trouble.

Today this trouble, which is known as terrorism, causes innocent people to lose their lives on the street, and creates terror. Do the neighboring countries carry out terroristic acts or it is it countries other than its neighbors that support terrorism? That is a big question. It is felt by the Indians that most terrorism is supported by distant countries, and executed through the people of neighboring countries– especially those countries that do not want to see reduction in defense spending.

What do you think about global warming and the environment?
VERMA: Global warming is the result of nuclear tests being conducted regularly without having given due thought to the imbalance caused to nature. As military races to acquire deadly weapons continue, the environment will suffer. People do want to reduce emissions, pollution and want to live in a safe, clean environment.

But scientific data indicates that global warming and depletion of the environment is related to emissions. As India continues to develop its economy, should it sacrifice environmental care for economic development? Is there a healthy balance that could accommodate both in India?
VERMA: Yes, there can be a healthy balance that can be accommodated in India.
Global warming is a product of emissions from thermal power plants, HVAC-generating systems, vehicles, et cetera.
India has already started concentrating on efficient use of organic fuels–- oil and natural gas and other alternative sources of power. It is already taking a leading position in the world as a wind power-generating nation. Hydropower is being addressed in a big way in states, which are in hilly regions. But it is the solar power and nuclear energy that India has to harness to be global leader in the prevention of global warming. The government has to take big initiatives with other governments in getting nuclear fuels. Mass communication and transport systems have to be put in place to conserve fuel.

What are the concerns of Indian citizens about nuclear weapons of other countries, especially North Korea and Iran?
VERMA: People in India are more concerned about its neighboring countries and their military developments. I don’t think nuclear armament of Iran and North Korea poses a direct threat.

Do you think that a nationwide disarmament plan would be effective and feasible?

VERMA: As long as there are vested interests among nations and some feel that they need to control other nations, no disarmament plan can work. The controlling nations do not trust other nations. It is symptom of ‘national ego’ which is not allowing this to happen. Maybe the U.S. and Russia should start disarmament themselves as examples to be followed by other countries.

Tell me how the citizens of India see their place in the world? What are they contributing? What are their goals? What are their struggles and fears as a nation?
VERMA: India is going to be the next superpower and there are no two opinions about it. The contributions of Indians are in all fields: from science and technology to arts and music. Indians are gaining worldwide recognition. You can see some of the major Indian companies have become global giants in software industry. The only drawback that I can see is an increased lack of control of population growth, and difficulty implementing proper laws to curb it.