VIJAYAWADA: Here are excerpts of the Question and Answer session of actor and Jana Sena party founder Pawan Kalyan at Harvard Kennedy School in US.
1. How can we contribute to stop farmer suicide? What is Jana Sena is doing about it?
A. Farmers are committing suicides due to lack of hope. Hence we are trying to build a support system for them with the help of Self Help Groups.
2. Is extreme ideological differences hampering the growth of India?
A. There are different ideologies in the vast country like India. We have to understand the core problem. I believe that they have to coexist as we need one ideology to counter the other. We need not
agree with each other but when it comes to people's welfare, we need to work in tandem.
3. What are you fighting for Andhra Pradesh's special category status?
A. When the government promises something, better stand for it or at least say that they cannot deliver it due to specific reasons. For me, when you promise something, you are accountable for it. Better tell us why you are going back.
4. You were talking about the opportunity for all, but we see no platform to reach you and participate in the people's welfare or political activities?
A. I walk what I talk. First, I need people to believe in me and I am spreading my thoughts to win their confidence. I will reach out to you all, once I create a platform to expand my activities. I am
creating an NRI wing to share your ideas and make you part of the party activities.
5. What is your agenda? What do you believe in? How do you want to sensitise youth towards better development in society?
A. Whatever ideals you believe in, take it forward. Face the challenges and be consistent. Sometimes it is a simple action, however, small it could be, is enough to move in the right direction.
6. What is your specific policy in healthcare and education?
A. I am bringing lot of stakeholders to understand and draft these policies. It cannot happen overnight as we need to study various issues before drafting our policies to benefit many.
7. Would you work with like-minded people like Aam Admi Party or Jayaprakash Narayan? Did you make any efforts to convince them?
A. I don't mind actually. I personally feel like-minded people should come together. But I would not try to convince anybody.
8. How do you plan to make youth part of your party activities?
A. Students are a creative force. I do not want them to lose their studies or careers but only become stakeholders to build a better society. I want them to join me only when they believe in my party ideologies and hence, I am striving to set an example for them.