South Korea from a country that had relatively little primary education became close to universal literacy in the course of 25, 30 years, in a way trying to replicate what Japan had done earlier. They were learning to some extent from the Japanese experience too. So I think, in a sense, the East Asians were following a path, which all other countries including South Asia could follow but chose not too.

But the idea that I should be a teacher and a researcher of some sort did not vary over the years.

The opportunities, income, schools facilities, the basic income support that the government provides or any of these things .. public transport arrangements we have.. all these are part of the way our lives and freedoms are effected.

To say that the whole of the industrial experience of Europe and America just shows the rewards of exploiting the Third World is a gross simplification.

You have to be interested in inequality. The issue of inequality and that of poverty are not separable.

The lack of economic freedom could be a very major reason for loss of liberty, liberty of life.

Imparting education not only enlightens the receiver, but also broadens the giver - the teachers, the parents, the friends.