Papayas, Punjabi and partition

Having parts of this world open up to me in new ways.

What is your favorite TEDTalk?

VS Ramachandran on the brain, Anthony Robbins on, Why we do what we do.

What does India mean to you?

The most succulent papayas, colour, the familiarity of hearing Punjabi spoken on the streets, a rich historical tradition of resistance, the tragedy of partition, and watching South Indian cinema with side-splitting laughter.

TEDIndia: Exclusive coverage

Tahir Amin

Lawyer, Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK)

What current project (or idea) of yours are you most excited to share with everyone at TEDIndia?

We are mapping out the landscape of pharmaceutical innovation. This innovation map is going to be freely available to civil society actors across the globe. It will make transparent the actions of pharmaceutical companies. This project is my favorite thing to talk about, so if you ask me about it, I will likely talk your head off!

Who are the people that have greatly inspired you and your work?

My parents, the photogaphers Salgado and Steve McCurry, civil society in India who stand up for justice, Roger Federer, Zinedine Zidane, Maradona and Brazillian football ace Ronaldo.

What are you most looking forward to at TEDIndia?

Having parts of this world open up to me in new ways.

What is your favorite TEDTalk?

VS Ramachandran on the brain, Anthony Robbins on, Why we do what we do.

What does India mean to you?

The most succulent papayas, colour, the familiarity of hearing Punjabi spoken on the streets, a rich historical tradition of resistance, the tragedy of partition, and watching South Indian cinema with side-splitting laughter.

TEDIndia: Exclusive coverage