A bespoke ministry

A love for aesthetics is not new for Raghavendra Rathore. After all, the Jodhpur-based fashion designer doesn't make a distinction between high and low art. "My early exposure to the study of design changed the course of my life," says Rathore, whose eclectic academic pursuits at the Marlboro College and Parsons School of Design included such subjects as robotics, classical art and Greek mythology. "My passion lies in understanding how efficient things and systems work."

A firm belief in design as a philosophy of life, Rathore has been an advocate for an overarching ministry that will look into the aesthetics of public-interfacing infrastructure. "I feel our present environment is being designed aimlessly. Good design impacts society positively," says Rathore, who has been hailed for reinventing the bandhgala. "Planning methodically while retaining an indigenous Indian style in our architecture, infrastructure design, landscaping, public space design and product design for the masses must go through the right process for it to be efficient for years to come."

He says taxpayers' money should be used to shape the landscape of modern India. "Changing this (approach to public design) will not only ensure well-designed spaces, but maximise utilisation of resources and increase efficiency of time," says Rathore.