Nishaad Rao was a Finalist in “The Fountainhead” essay contest run by the Ayn Rand Institute. Read his essay . Shanu A interviewed him for the Liberty Institute.

Shanu A: How did you come across the works of Ayn Rand?

 Nishaad Rao: My father gave me The Fountainhead to read, and I started it thinking it was just another novel about the struggles of an architect. However, as I read on, I realized that I was holding something very special in my hand – something that had to have far reaching implications.

Shanu: What impact she has had on your intellectual development?

Nishaad: It is hard to describe – as her philosophy has affected the way I think about everything. It is the almost startling and refreshing style of stating the truth that caught me. I have tried to imbibe precisely that. Another thing that Rand taught me was to question. Everything! I am not afraid of that anymore.

Shanu: What is your favorite book by Ayn Rand?

Nishaad: The Fountainhead. I wouldn’t say Atlas Shrugged because I don’t think I understand it in its entirety.

Shanu: Who is your favorite fictional character in Ayn Rand’s novels?

Nishaad: Hank Rearden and Gail Wynand. Rearden and Wynand are both creators, but both have one flaw. The way their characters are portrayed and the way they develop are fascinating. Also, and this is especially true of Wynand, their characters are summed up in one or two lines in the books themselves.

Shanu: How relevant do you think AR's ideas are in today's world?

Nishaad: Very relevant – I believe that Rand’s ideas are relevant whatever the time, because embracing them brings a supreme sense of honesty with oneself.

Shanu: Have you read other libertarian thinkers? What do you think of Capitalism as a politico-economic system?

Nishaad: No, as of now I have not read other libertarian thinkers. I am still reading about capitalism as a politico-economic system, and so would like to defer these questions, as I don’t think I understand fully the pros and cons of capitalism.

Shanu: Do you think all collectivists are weak, personify cowardice and live a life of scheming and manipulation? Isn’t it possible that there are decent human beings among them?

Nishaad: Yes, there can be decent human being among them. But they are misled as to the consequences and intentions of collectivism. It is possible that they haven’t reasoned the concept of collectivism in a rational way. This is very evident in the character of Andrei Toganov in We The Living.

Shanu: You are just finishing high school. What career do you want to pursue? How do you see yourself taking the lessons forward?

Nishaad: I want to take up physics as my major. The subject has fascinated me since I was a child. I am equally passionate about writing, and I would love to couple the two. Although these might be viewed as opposing interest, I believe there will be a point where I will be able to amalgamate the two to produce something extra ordinary. While I have constantly been told that I should pick one over the other, it is Rand’s philosophy that encourages me to cling on to what I love.