By T.J.S. George
Let us say I am picked for the Nobel Prize for writing the finest newspaper column since printing began. Should I feel happy about it or dejected? That is a dilemma peculiar to India. In any other country, a citizen getting a Nobel will be an occasion for rejoicing. In our country the laureate will have to pass patriotism tests before decisions are taken about rejoicing. When I am chosen, for example, the nationalists among us must analyse the shape of my nose, the brand of the pen I use and the clothes I wear before reacting to the choice. They might finally decide to condemn the Nobel people for choosing an Indian with a foreign-made pacemaker instead of a genuine swadeshi heart.
